Analysis of vehicle static steering torque based on tire–road contact patch sliding model and variable transmission ratio

Abstract

Static steering torque at parking is an important factor for steering portability of vehicle. At present, the most commonly used estimation method is empirical formula calculation, which, however, cannot explain the phenomenon that the steering torque increases rapidly when steering angle becomes very large (over 300°). This article proposes an estimation method of static steering torque on the basis of a mathematic model of tire-patch sliding torque, taking into account the changeable torque transmission ratio from steered wheel to steering wheel. Three components of static steering torque are modeled and analyzed, including the tire-patch sliding torque, gravity aligning torque, and internal friction torque of the steering system. In order to investigate the static steering torque at steering wheel, the transmission ratio of steering torque is obtained on the basis of rack-suspension mathematical analysis. An example of static steering torque estimation is conducted with the proposed method and is compared with experimental results. The comparison shows that the estimation results given by the proposed method are in better accordance with experimental results than other approaches.