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    Things to Come: All-Electric Power Steering Systems

    A number of companies (for example, Delphi, Koyo, Visteon, TRW and BASF) have developed electric power steering systems to replace the traditional hydraulically operated ones. Some models of VW, BMW, and Mazda, as well as other makes, are already using them. The electric systems have several advantages including eliminating the power steering pump, hoses, hydraulic fluid, drive belt and pulley. Fuel economy is improved and is equivalent to that obtained with a manual steering system. What follows is a description of how the Delphi E-Steer system works.
    Reference: http://www.epsking.com/attachment/fj...4423989651.pdf


    Operation
    E-Steer is an all-electric, engine independent power steering system that eliminates the parasitic losses associated with hydraulic systems. It uses sensor input and software algorithms to determine the amount of steering assist required. The controller, responding to inputs from vehicle speed and handwheel sensors sends torque-adjusting commands to the variable speed, electric motor, producing the optimum amount of steering assist based on vehicle conditions. A returnability algorithm is also employed to center the steering wheel. The algorithms are customized to the particular vehicle characteristics. High output current insures high steering load capacity and the brushless, permanent magnet motors employed provide optimum steering characteristics with less wear on the motor and less packaging and mass (25-30% smaller) than brush-type motors.

    The electric motor can either be mounted on the steering column or on the rack and pinion steering gear assembly. Column mounting is generally used for compact to mid-size vehicles while rack-mount is more suitable for mid-size cars to full-size trucks.

    Consumer Benefits According to Delphi
    An on-demand steering assist that saves between .5 to 1-mile/gallon ( ~ a 4% mean improvement) over hydraulic systems. The system is independent of the engine as only the battery is required for E-Steer to function. This engine independence not only improves fuel economy (the lighter mass of electric vs. hydraulic systems is also a factor here) but by reducing parasitic losses, also improves acceleration times. Vehicle safety is enhanced since not only is torque steer reduced during acceleration, but power steering is available even when the engine is off. Assembly plant time is reduced by up to four minutes (fewer components to install), saving on manufacturing costs. The system uses less than .5 amp at idle and 1-2 amps with average use.

    Manufacturer Benefits
    Besides reducing assembly time, electric power steering also permits easy software tuning of the steering assistance characteristics to suit a variety of cars. For example, a single electric power steering system can be tuned for applications as diverse as a two-seater sports car or a luxury sedan. This can be accomplished through an in-vehicle laptop PC taking a matter of hours as opposed to the months required for the tuning of hydraulic power steering systems.

    There is also an opportunity to improve reliability as 53% of all power steering warranty claims are from pump and hose problems. Environmental benefits will also accrue from the decreased requirement for the non-recyclable polymers used in hydraulic hoses as well as lessened need for power steering fluid (worldwide, an estimated 40 million liters of power steering fluid was used in 1995).

    Another potential benefit also comes to mind. Since a great deal of engine bay space is made available due to the removal of the pump, drive belt and pulley, simplified mounting of a supercharger and its drive system becomes a real possibility.


    Additional Material
    An overview of electric power steering systems can be found here:
    http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=92107

    Mazda2 (Demio) to receive all-electric power steering in 2008:
    http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejou...171625458.html

    Happy Motoring!
    Last edited by goldstar; 03-16-2010, 07:35 AM.
    02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
    MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
    MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
    Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
    MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
    Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
    Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
    Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
    Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
    Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
    Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
    Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
    Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

    #2
    sounds cool....i like th eold fashend way tho......
    91 323 GTX @ 16psi, 5 speed || December 07 R.O.T.M.
    Powered by MegaSquirt I PCB3, Tuned by Lex

    More Information

    Comment


      #3
      the old minis used electric power steering economy purposes, and it saves weight. No PS fluid or pumps.

      We converted my old boss' ps on his bimmer to an electric one for weight saving purposes.
      The T3 BP MX-3 conversion has begun, and is taking forever & will kill me.

      Comment


        #4
        cool beans, some guy on protegeclub is using electric power steering i think, on a supercharged protege... i think
        _________________________________
        '12 Focus SE hatch
        '04 Eddie Bauer V8 4X4 Explorer
        '05 Saab 9-3 turbo (sold)
        '90 Mazda 323 GT (sold)
        '04 Mazda Tribute (sold)
        '92 Mazda Protege LX (sold)
        '91 Mazda Protege LX (blown engine)
        '91 Honda Prelude (totalled)
        '91 Honda CRX SI (sold)

        Comment


          #5
          with how notorious ford power steering systems are (strong electric drain and whining from the engine), i would definately see a benefit from this.. no more slipping belts when you max out the steering in a 3 point turn and what have you. why didn't they think of something like this in the first place? wouldn't simple variable electric motors and rods deliver accurate steering without the need of software and computers?
          kevin

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Kevin
            with how notorious ford power steering systems are (strong electric drain and whining from the engine), i would definately see a benefit from this.. no more slipping belts when you max out the steering in a 3 point turn and what have you. why didn't they think of something like this in the first place? wouldn't simple variable electric motors and rods deliver accurate steering without the need of software and computers?
            kevin
            In order to have electrical variable-assist power steering, computer-controlled inputs are required. The reason electrically-assisted steering was not employed earlier is that fluid-based systems are purely mechanical whereas electrical ones had to wait for the development of reliable, economical computer chips, programs and sensors.

            As with most automotive systems, there has been a steady transition from straight mechanical to electro-mechanical operation over time in the interest of more precise control and better performance.

            02 DX Millenium Red
            Last edited by goldstar; 11-13-2004, 10:04 AM.
            02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
            MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
            MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
            Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
            MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
            Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
            Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
            Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
            Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
            Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
            Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
            Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
            Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by goldstar
              In order to have electrical variable-assist power steering, computer-controlled inputs are required. The reason electrically-assisted steering was not employed earlier is that fluid-based systems are purely mechanical whereas electrical ones had to wait for the development of reliable, economical computer chips, programs and sensors.

              As with most automotive systems, there has been a steady transition from straight mechanical to electro-mechanical operation over time in the interest of more precise control and better performance.

              02 DX Millenium Red
              i guess i'm not putting all the odds and ends together.. i wouldn't see why an over sized potentiometer (SP) couldn't be used.. and i thought components like that were rudementary.

              Comment


                #8
                And the Nanny State Marches On

                Star Wars Power Steering?
                The following account is true, only the names have been changed to protect the guilty. It is excerpted from the Section titled "So How Good is Your Driving" from the following reference:
                http://autospeed.com/cms/A_110661/ar...popularArticle

                Just as a single electrical power steering unit can be programmed to match applications as varied as sports cars and sedans, so can system responsiveness be made to adjust to different driving situations in the same car. When this approach is taken, the input of a certain amount of steering lock by the driver does not always result in the same amount of assistance. If the PCM 'decides' that such a steering input is not appropriate for the conditions, the steering assistance may be reduced or the steering input actively resisted.

                In an application of this concept, Honda has recently developed an electric power steering system that estimates the skill of the driver and provides steering assistance to match his/her capability. Through what means is this 'driver skill estimation' obtained?

                GPS system
                Vehicle speed sensor
                Steering sensor that provides information on steering angular speed, angular acceleration, and torque input
                Brake pedal sensor that detects braking stroke, speed, and force
                Throttle pedal sensor that detects accelerator stroke and speed
                Yaw rate sensor
                Road friction estimate input

                The road friction estimate is determined by an audio frequency analysis of the sound of the tires on the road. This determines whether the road is dry, wet, snowy, powdery snow or icy. The analysis cannot determine, however, the composition of the road surface (concrete, asphalt or Yellow Brick). In the strongest terms possible, Honda vigorously denies the allegation that the system also utilizes an anal probe inserted into the driver's rectum to measure the fear level during cornering. Although the GPS and yaw rate inputs are included in the Honda patent, the company notes that the system can still work effectively without them.


                The 'driver skill estimator' analyses the actual path taken by the vehicle and compares this with a computed target trajectory. Using this and data on the vehicle wheelbase, the distance that the front and rear wheels are from the vehicle center of gravity, and other factors, the system awards the driver on one of five levels of ability from "very poor" to "very good". A very good driver is rewarded with very little steering force resistance in which the driver gets what he or she asks for, while a poor driver is punished by encountering steering that actively does not allow major steering inputs to be made at high speed.

                Is this the Brave New World of power steering?

                Happy Motoring!

                Last edited by goldstar; 03-16-2010, 08:13 AM.
                02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
                MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
                MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
                Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
                MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
                Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
                Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
                Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
                Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
                Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
                Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
                Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
                Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

                Comment


                  #9
                  eek... do not want
                  Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
                  ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
                  Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

                  Comment


                    #10
                    One more reason why i'll probably only own vehicles from the last century.
                    Electric powersteering good.....steering correction and assistance bad.
                    I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

                    ._________________________
                    |.....Overnight....................| ||
                    |.....Japan Parts.................| |'|";,___.
                    |_..._...____________======||_|_|...,]
                    "(@)'(@)""'''''''''''''"'''"**|(@)(@)*****"(@)
                    Oh and by the way that shot in your banner with Vin Diesel's car getting shot, thats a civic not an altezza.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      This is already being put to use in some cars iirc. The 02-05 civic si already has this feature.


                      '88 323 sedan, K-swapped..

                      '03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege - miss it so much..

                      '01 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins - 323 hauler

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by DeeAOne View Post
                        This is already being put to use in some cars iirc. The 02-05 civic si already has this feature.
                        Correct, the EP3 has electric steering. My friend has one, he hasn't had any problems, yet, but it only has 7k on it also, so we'll see.
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                        Comment


                          #13
                          my parents' 07 malibu has it and while it does steer easily, it is really touchy and "government motors" didn't do their homework on material selection for the steering shaft for the column, they are on their 4th one in about 40k miles. This includes many reasurances by the dealer that the one installed is "the new re-engineered one that will solve all the issues of the last one."

                          I'll take a good old manual rack and pinion any day thank you.
                          2011 BMW 128i 6 Speed Manual -- dd
                          1990 Protege 4WD 5 Speed

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Toyota should put this on their vehicles so that when they accelerate out of control
                            the driver wont be able to steer .
                            Honestly vehicles are getting more and more complex in terms of computer control.
                            Is it good or bad?
                            Computers are just the awesome untill something goes side-ways whether it be input output or logic.
                            Nothing worse than trying to diag a ghost in the machine ;-)
                            Powered by ACME

                            Comment


                              #15
                              after toyota's experience i think we need to revisit the K.I.S.S. principal .....












                              Keep It Simple Stupid !!!!!


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