BMW's helping hand. (WIP).The new 5 Series platform will be the base upon which BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. launches its electro-mechanical steering system steering system, in automobiles, steering wheel, gears, linkages, and other components used to control the direction of a vehicle's motion. Because of friction between the front tires and the road, especially in parking, effort is required to turn the steering wheel. , dubbed "Active Steering Active steering is an automotive technology utilised by BMW which varies the degree that the wheels turn in response to the steering wheel. At lower speeds, this technology reduces the amount that the steering wheel must be turned -- improving performance in situations such as ." Unlike regular power steering power steering n. A device driven by the engine of a vehicle that facilitates the turning of the steering wheel by the driver. power steering Noun , which has either a fixed or narrowly variable steering ratio Steering ratio refers to the ratio between the turn of the steering wheel (in degrees) or handlebars and the turn of the wheels (in degrees). In motorcycles and bicycles, the steering ratio is always 1:1, while in most passenger cars, it is between 12 and 20:1. , or full steer-by-wire, where the only connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels are electrical wires, Active Steering connects the steering wheel and road wheels through a planetary gearbox. An electric motor--acting through a self-inhibiting planetary gear transmission--adds or subtracts steering angle based on information from a rotational sensor in the steering wheel, vehicle speed, and information from the vehicles stability control system. Steering force is determined by BMW's Servotronic power steering system. At low speeds, the motor adds an appropriate amount of wheel lock. Parking, for example, the ratio is such that just two turns are needed to go lock-to-lock. Around town, the steering ratio is increased, though the system is tuned to be much more direct than a conventional power steering unit. The idea is to make the car feel more agile and nimble, and cut driver fatigue by reducing the input from the driver through the steering wheel. At high speeds, Active Steering makes the steering much more indirect so small movements won't change the vehicle's path. BMW claims Active Steering increases the dynamic envelope by quelling incipient oversteer o·ver·steer intr.v. o·ver·steered, o·ver·steer·ing, o·ver·steers To turn more sharply than the operator would expect. Used of vehicles, especially automobiles. n. 1. An instance of oversteering. in maneuvers like high-speed lane changes, reducing the need for steering input when braking on uneven surfaces, or adjusting steering angle to changing levels of grip. As a result, Dynamic Stability Control is called upon less often, and can be initiated less aggressively to keep the car heading in the right direction. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion