Steering Kickback Diminution on EHPS for Enhancing Vehicle Ride Comfort and Handling

Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) system is used in modern vehicles to effect reduction in fuel consumption rate and steering effort. The mechanical linkages between the steering wheel and tire, transfers road shocks to steering wheel as high amplitude vibration. This high amplitude vibration causes the steering wheel to deviate from driver intended position. This phenomenon is called steering kickback. The initial objective is to reduce the steering kickback with minimum changes in the vehicle systems. Using check valve is one of the inexpensive and easy operational counter measures. Vehicle level tests were done to evaluate the countermeasure and it was found to have approximately 55 % reduction in kickback. Multi Body Dynamics (MBD) simulation is done using ADAMS/Car to establish the vehicle parameters involve in steering kickback. Full car model was simulated using the experimental conditions and validated. Finally from the simulation, optimized vehicle parameters are identified to reduce the steering kickback.