Since, the electric steering systems found its way, to the automobile industry, many fans, loved it, just like many, who hated him. Both types, numbered many advantage and disadvantages for it. some people still prefer to have a hydraulic steering system. Let’s finish this fight for once and all.
These days, we can see the electric steering system as an option for the many modern automobiles, except the sport cars. Actually, both electric steering or hydraulic one, both are here to provide enough pressure, to steer the vehicle with lower energy. That provides easier maneuverability at low speeds.
The first time in 1800s and 1900s, many engineers put the early version of power steering in to experiment. And as the first car, which used it, was the Chrysler Imperial. It was named as “Hydraguide”. By a simple system, it included hydraulic fluid, a pump, a cylinder, and some valves. The power comes from the pump which is driven by a belt connected to the engine. By the positive-displacement of pump, hydraulic fluid flow rate to engine speed. Some how by hydraulic system, the steering is adopting it self to the engine speed whether its low or high.
By the way, on high speeds, when the driver attempts to overtake at high speeds, the control valves send a portion of the pressurized fluid back to the hydraulic reservoir. By this way you can keep the car on track.
The usage of double-acting hydraulic cylinder is to apply some force to the steering gear.by the electro-hydraulic power steering, instead of the regular pump which is driven by engine, the electric pump is used. The whole system I somehow different.
Using electric steering system is now much popular.one of the first vehicles with electric motor, was a a 5-ton truck in Columbia in 1876, but other than the surname Fitts, little is known about its inventor.in fact, It was 1990 that Honda/Acura NSX had a real electric steering system. By the new model, an electric motor connected to either the steering gear or steering column assists the driver, replacing the traditional hydraulic system.
The electric steering, works with position and torque sensors. The electric impulses are sent to the ECU and the specific parameters applied to the steering wheel and front wheels.
It is obvious that the hydraulic system can provide better steering feel, but in general its not important to the regular sedan drivers. But on the other hand, it’s very important to professional drivers. It is widely used on sport cars, because it has great road feedback and also its cheaper to manufacture.
Contrary, the electric steering system has sharper response to the changes and controls fuel consumption much better. The driving feeling is much straight and filtered. Some cars like BMV5 Series uses these types of steering.
So, if you want to have a deep driving feeling, choose hydraulic power steering, and by comfortable experience you can have the electric system, just with a bit higher cost.