SSANGYONG Korando 2012 Manual page 1009

13-6
1. OVERVIEW
The electric power steering, EPS, does not have any belt-driven steering pump constantly
running, so it is lightweight and the motor consumes energy only when the steering wheel is
turned by the driver, and this leads to improvement in fuel efficiency. Also, the elimination of a
belt-driven pump and its accessories greatly simplifies manufacturing and maintenance. While
offering these benefits, as it does not contain any steering oil, the environment is not polluted
both when the steering system is produced and discarded.
In other words, the electric power steering (EPS) system uses the electric motor to assist the
steering force. It functions independently regardless of whether the engine is running or not,
unlike the existing hydraulic power steering.
The EPS system generates an assist steering force variably depending on the driving conditions
by controlling the motor's operation, based on the input signals from the sensors such as torque
sensor and angle sensor. In turn, the EPS receives the torque signal by the driver's movements of
the steering wheel, as well as the vehicle speed, and uses the motor to determine the assist
torque. The EPS controls the motor for this. Another features of EPS are fail-safe function,
diagnosis function, communication function between units and interface function for external
diagnostic device.
The EPS system components such as the torque sensor, steering angle sensor, fail-safe relay,
etc. are located in the steering column and EPS unit assembly.
▶ Advantages:
(1) Assurance of improved steering
- Provides optimal steering force according to
the vehicle speed
- Enhanced steering stability while driving at
high speed
▶ Comparison between hydraulic power steering and electric power steering (EPS)
Hydraulic power steering
(2) Reduced fuel consumption
- Consumes energy only when steering
wheel is turned (improved by 3 to 5%)
- Energy saving (reduced by 85% compared
with hydraulic power steering)
- Reduced number of parts: Elimination of
steering pump, hydraulic hose, pump
pulley, oil reservoir, belt, bracket, etc.
Electric power steering