ZHANG Wei, LI Hao, SUN Lei, ZHAO Wentao, WANG Xuguang, LIU Shaoxin
Steering gear is the linchpin of hydraulic power steering system, critically impacting vehicle comfort and handling stability. Rotary valve, as a key component of the steering gear, determines its performance. A profound comprehension of the rotary valve's operating principles and the influence of its parameters on assisted characteristics is paramount for enhancing the performance of the steering system. Initially, this study introduces the composition of the hydraulic power steering system and elucidates its operational principles during straight-line driving and steering maneuvers. Subsequently, based on these operational principles, an AMESim model is developed to investigate the effects of various parameters, including torsion bar stiffness, engine speed, short cut length, axial length of pre-opening gap, width of pre-opening gap, and groove widths, on the power assist characteristic curve. Finally, experimental validation is conducted on the optimized steering gear. The results demonstrate that following structural optimization, the input hand torque of the steering gear decreased by 15.5%, with an overall inward shift observed in the assist characteristic curve, ultimately leading to improved comfort of vehicles.