It can be said that today, digital technology has crept into every aspect of life. Gradually, mechanical details and systems were replaced by more modern, more accurate electronic technologies. And the auto industry is not immune to this digitization storm.
Previously, on cars, there were mechanical systems that people thought they could never replace: like differentials, steering assist systems, steering systems, etc. But today, this is no longer true. Specifically, today, we are starting to get acquainted with the term “steer-by-wire” or “drive-by-wire” which means the steering system by cables and electronic signals. This technology first appeared on Nissan’s Infinity Q50 in 2013 and will continue to thrive in the coming years.
The Drive By Wire electronic steering system allows the vehicle to be guided by electronic signals and hydraulic transmission.
Instead of using mechanical connections for transmission, the Drive By Wire electronic steering system allows the vehicle to be guided by electronic signals and hydraulic transmission . Since the birth of cars, working mainly with mechanical mechanisms linked and driven together, along with the development of science and technology, especially in the field of automation and electronics, have made Today’s cars are no longer just for mechanics. According to manufacturers, today’s cars electronic systems account for 60% of the value, although electronic systems are increasingly equipped on cars, there is one system that plays an important role. very important in cars but still not “electronic” – Steering system.
In fact, the Drive By Wire electronic steering system has been researched and developed by car manufacturers for a long time, but it has only been announced at the test level and no car manufacturer has yet put it into commercial vehicles. to be accessible to users. Nissan is the first manufacturer to plan to bring this technology to commercial vehicles on several 2013 Infiniti models.
In the early days of the automobile, the steering system was a pure connection of the mechanical parts the driver rotated the steering wheel and through pairs of gears, the roller screw, etc., and to the mechanism of the action linkage levers. the front wheel to change the direction of the vehicle. Then, with the advancement, the steering system was equipped with hydraulic power steering thanks to the belt driven pump from the engine, which reduced the power of the engine and consumed more energy. . However, to this day, this steering system is still maintained by ensuring both criteria: good grip and convenience.
Structure of the current popular steering system.
Meanwhile, the Drive By Wire steering system equipped by Nissan on some 2013 Infiniti models, although it is an electronic steering system, still uses the steering wheel as on current steering systems, but instead of using Using the current power steering pump, the system uses an electronic control unit ECU to control the hydraulic flow down to the steering wheel along with the steering angle measurement unit, besides the system uses a clutch to connect directly from the steering wheel to the steering wheel in case of an emergency. In addition, this steering system also uses a camera to monitor the direction of movement of the vehicle and can act on the steering wheel to change the wheel direction when necessary.
Specifically, the electronic steering system includes the following components:
Structure of the Steer-by-wire steering system.
When the driver touches the steering wheel, the steering angle of the steering wheel will be measured by the steering angle measurement unit and sent the data to the system’s ECU. Then the signal from here will be processed to control the hydraulic flow down the steering wheel so that the wheel moves according to the system’s wishes. Because the control is by signal transmission, the impact process will take place faster than today’s mechanical drive systems.
Working principle of electronic steering system.
In addition to the ability to react faster, the system also has the ability to limit feedback from the road surface, whereby when the vehicle enters the bad, rough road surface, the vibrations from the road surface acting on the steering wheel will be eliminated. , so the driver does not have hand fatigue and is more comfortable.
The installation of cameras on vehicles using Drive by wire helps to observe the road ahead and detect objects on the roadbed. When the vehicle begins to deviate from the road (possibly due to driver fatigue), the system’s ECU makes the minor adjustments necessary to maintain the vehicle’s position in the proper position on the road.
Although the ECU of the Drive By Wire system is divided into 3 independent parts to avoid possible errors that endanger the occupants of the vehicle, it is not enough for the systems directly involved. to human life.
This system is also equipped with a clutch used to connect directly from the steering shaft to the steering wheel like on current steering systems. This ensures that the steering system is still working properly even when the system ECU is not working, making the vehicle safer.