Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Facing the problem of experimental measurement of a torque that a motor vehicle driver applies on the steering wheel, it is required to study the devices prepared for this purpose. In the current market we can already find some tools with this aim, such as the dynamometric steering wheel. The exact measurement of the strength obtained in the steering wheel when making it turn is of great importance, due to the fact that all motor vehicles in use have to comply with the Directive 70/311/EEC, in which it is specified the maximum value of the force pressed on the steering wheel of any vehicle when performing a change of direction. As a consequence, in spite of the existence of available devices, it is advisable to follow the research on different measurement methods, since opting for the dynamometric steering wheel can raise costs and has an apparent lack of precision. Therefore, in this paper a new method of measuring torque in a motor vehicle is implemented, so that the use of the already existing dynamometric steering wheel is not necessary. It is concluded and demonstrated that the device described here has higher accuracy than the dynamometric steering wheel when an automobile vehicle is tested in order to comply with the current European regulations.