04

2025

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07

Automotive Basics (14) The World Under the Wheel


汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

In the previous articles

We have put the chassis of the car

Driving system, brake system, drive train

It's almost over

So start with this issue

We are going to talk about the last system of the chassis of the car

Steering system

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

Steering system

Name implies

It is the system that allows the vehicle to complete the steering

There you have it

You'll be able to go wherever you want

For example, in the small alley around the corner, hehehehe

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

This system is mainly composed of:

Steering control mechanism

Steering machine

Steering transmission mechanism

It consists of three major parts

in other words

On the front of the steering machine is the "control mechanism"

Including steering wheel, steering shaft, steering gimbal, etc

The underside of the steering machine is the "transmission mechanism"

Including steering tie rods, knuckle arms, knuckles, etc

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

The control mechanism is responsible for analyzing your thoughts

Then tell it to the steering machine

After the steering machine receives this signal

Will be like a big housekeeper

Swing the small leather whip to urge the transmission mechanism to make movements

Take you to that little alley where you want to go

Generally speaking

Veteran drivers evaluate whether a car's steering system is good or not

Mainly from the following aspects to feel the heart:

1. Sensitivity

2. Lightness

3. Have a proper "road sense"

4. Reliability

5. Don't eat tires

It should be clarified

The first three metrics are not that higher performance is better

The main thing is to be "suitable"

For example, the "box" of the steering wheel can lead to a decrease in sensitivity

But at the same time, it is conducive to alleviating the impact of the road surface, so that everyone is not so tired when driving

That's why a lot of cars are going to be very responsive

Ordinary vehicles, on the other hand, need to have a certain "frame"

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界
 

"Lightness" and "road feeling" are a bunch of contradictions

What? You don't know what road sense is?

Road perception is the condition of the road surface that is transmitted to the steering wheel in reverse through the wheels

For example, if you cross a pit, the steering wheel will shake a little

After turning, the steering wheel will return to centering

This is all the embodiment of the sense of the road

If the steering wheel is light, then the force of road feedback will naturally be light

The positive force after turning will also be smaller

The stability of high-speed driving will also be a little worse

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

But for the sake of comfort

Now the steering system of trucks is moving towards "lightness".

Reliability is easier to understand

So what does "not eating tires" have to do with the steering system?

I believe that attentive cardholders may discover a magical secret:

When turning

The angle at which the two front wheels turn past is actually different!

(Shocked!) )

(Is it a wayward twist?)

(Or is it moral decay?) )

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界
 

Why is that?

Theoretically

When the vehicle is turning

All wheels should go around the same center in a circle

In this way, you can avoid tire wear

So

When turning,

The angle of the inward curved wheel should be larger than the outside wheel

and satisfies a functional relationship
 

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

But actually

None of the existing steering mechanisms can fully guarantee this relationship

Therefore, the problem of wheel slippage cannot be completely eliminated technically

This is especially true for trucks with double transaxles

Fetal eating is inevitable

So

A dual-guide tractor will save tires than a dual-drive tractor

In addition, there are many manufacturers that have introduced trucks with rear steering

It's all about being able to make the wheels fit the trajectory better

Reduces wear and tear on tires

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界But!

There is an even bigger culprit behind the problem of fetal eating

Let's not talk about the content of this issue

Leave it for the next issue, and everyone will catch the thief with me

Speaking of which, in the end

I would also like to give you Amway the latest development direction of the transformation system

That is

Electronically controlled

For example, Volvo's set

Dynamic steering

汽车基础知识(十四)方向盘下面的世界

This system adds an electronically controlled motor to the traditional mechanical steering system

It is used to assist in the operation of the steering system

When driving at low speeds

The system will be very lightweight

And at high speeds

The direction will be more stability-oriented

The motor also adjusts the steering automatically

Compensate for crosswinds and uneven road surfaces

It's like having an old driver to help you steer the way

That's why they can complete challenges like this:

Besides

The system also prevents slippage in the first place

Prevent lane departure

Adjust steering wheel damping, etc

Very powerful

Do you feel the urge to buy a Volvo?

Okay, that's all for today

I wish you all more than just a Volvo truck

You can also drive a Volvo car

(The brother who drove a Lamborghini gave way, not talking about you)