Power Steering

Description : Two types of power steering are the standard type and the PPS (progressive power steering) type. Both these types have a recirculating ball system and rotary type hydraulic control valve.

PPS TYPE

Vehicle speed is detected by a speed sensor and fluid pressure acting on the piston is varied accordingly. When the vehicle is stopped or when moving at low speed, fluid pressure is increased to lighten the force required for steering. At high speed, pressure is reduced to lessen the amount of assist and provide appropriate steering wheel response.

PRINCIPLES OF POWER STEERING

Power steering is one type of hydraulic device for utilizing engine power to reduce steering effort. Consequently, the engine is used to drive a pump to develop fluid pressure, and this pressure acts on a piston within the gear box so that the piston assists the sector shaft effort. The amount of this assistance depends on the extent of pressure act–ing on the piston. Therefore, if more steering force is required, the pressure must be raised. The variation in the fluid pressure is accomplished by a control valve which is linked to the intermediate shaft and the steering main shaft.