Dynamics of electromagnetic slip coupling for hydraulic power steering application and its energy-saving characteristics

To improve high-speed road feel and enhance energetic efficiency of hydraulic power steering(HPS) system in heavy-duty vehicles, an electromagnetic slip coupling(ESC) was applied to the steering system, which regulated discharge flow of steering pump to realize variable assist characteristic as well as uniquely transfer on-demand power from engine to steering pump. The model of ESC was established and the dynamic characteristics of ESC were presented by the way of simulation and experiment. Upon the layout of the assist characteristics, output torque of ESC was derived. Based on the ESC model, the output torque characteristics of ESC were simulated under steering situation and straight driving situation, respectively. The consistency of simulated ESC output torque and the one deduced from assist characteristics verifies the correctness of the ESC dynamic model. To illustrate energy saving characteristics of ESC-HPS, energy consumption comparison of ESC-HPS and conventional HPS was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively. It follows that the energy consumption of ESC-HPS decreases by 50% compared with that of HPS.

Dynamic characteristics of hydraulic power steering system with accumulator in load-haul-dump vehicle

Using hydraulic power steering system of model EIMCO 922 load-haul-dump vehicle as a simulation example, the dynamic characteristics of hydraulic power steering system in load-haul-dump vehicle were simulated and discussed with SIMULINK software and hydraulic control theory. The results show that the dynamic characteristics of hydraulic power steering system are improved obviously by using bladder accumulator, the hydraulic power steering system of model EIMCO 922 load-haul-dump vehicle generates vibration at the initial stage under the normal steering condition of pulse input, and its static response time is 0.25 s shorter than that without bladder accumulator. Under the normal steering working condition, the capacity of steering accumulator for absorbing pulse is directly proportional to the cross section area of connecting pipeline, and inversely proportional to the length of connecting pipeline. At the same time, the precharge pressure of nitrogen in steering accumulator should be 60%80% of the rated minimum working pressure of hydraulic power steering system. Under the abnormal steering working condition, the steering cylinder piston may obtain higher motion velocity, and the dynamic response velocity of hydraulic power steering system can be increased by reducing the pressure drop of hydraulic pipelines between the accumulator and steering cylinder and by increasing the rated pressure of hydraulic power steering system, but the dynamic characteristics of hydraulic power steering system in load-haul-dump vehicle have nothing to do with the precharge pressure of nitrogen in steering accumulator.