|
Steering - variable
Assignment
This is the first time that the driver notices, that the control over the steering wheel has been taken from him. A control device now decides, whether the steering wheel movement is transferred directly to the front
wheels or whether a weakened- or a strengthened movement is carried out. In this case e.g., a greater steering ratio during fast motorway driving and also a smaller ratio when driving slowly in urban areas, would be
possible. This construction could of course, also be used for every possible steering action e.g., with ESP. A vehicle may one day appear, which is artificially
kept on the road, even if
the driver is distracted. It can also no longer be predicted, with any certainty, whether in ten years time, all cars will even still have a steering wheel, or whether the systen will be re-constructed, because more than a
three-quarters of a turn will never be necessary any more.
Function
The above shown system is combined with hydraulic power-steering. For the future, it's possible, and more than likely, that there will be a purely electric steering support. In front of the pinion that engages with the
gear rack, there will be a planet gearbox built into the steering column. In addition, the ring-gear which has somewhat sloping outside teeth, into which an electric motor engages, similar to a worm-drive. If its
movement is precisely combined with that of the steering wheel, it can strengthen the steering angle for a more direct steering or weaken it for a more indirect steering. All it has to do is to turn the ring-gear in one
direction or the other. The planetary gearbox is a perfectly normal part the steering ratio. In the event of a malfunction, the electric motor stands still and provides for an average ratio. Through the worm-drive and thus,
the self-braking, it cannot be moved.
Important
In 2006, the first vehicle with independent reverse parking was introduced. The display indicates whether or not the parking slot is big enough. After engaging the reverse gear, the vehicle steers itself into the optimum
position in one action. The driver only needs to regulate the driving speed. 08/12
|
|