Energetic Efficiency Analysis and Performance Evaluation for a Closed Center Steering System

This paper is concerned with the energy saving analysis for the closed center gear steering system and its design and performance. After reviewing the recent efforts in developing steering system with high energetic efficiency, the new system using closed center steering gear is proposed to reduce power consumption while keeping the conventional steering feel. The mathematical model of the closed-center for steering gear is derived and its stability and performance are analyzed. If the steering feel introduced by the closed center valve is not satisfying, an impedance controlled haptic device (TRW developed, named Column Drive) may be used. The advantage of this system's energy saving will be evaluated for different duty cycles.