Power steering idea

[Crane]

Hi everyone
I have had this idea about kart steering for a while now.
I don't want to buy a rack and pinion assembly, and I'm not interested in making one, because it seems like a lot of work.

Check the picture I included. In the end of the steering column is a 10T sprocket, which is connected to a 35T sprocket via a chain. (There's no chain in the picture)
This would give a 3.5:1 gear ratio, which means 3.5 times more torque, which means lighter and more accurate steering. Also, the steering wheel would turn about 110 degrees to each direction.

Has anyone tried this before or can anyone spot any obvious faults in this idea? It would be a shame to build this first and then spot what's wrong with this.
Thanks for all the answers.

 

[Kartorbust]

For a moment I thought this was going to be an electronic power steering, hydraulic power steering, or electro-hydraulic power steering off a UTV or something, not a gear reduction mechanical steering.

I've only seen this type of steering used on Popular Mechanic's 1960s Pow'r Pup mini tractor build. With those, there's really no suspension (except the front i-beam with the wheels), so no with bump steer. Also it could be a bit twitchy.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I wouldnt really call that power steering...for low speed it might be okay, i'd use a very large chain for peace of mind. My Chinese gy6 buggy has a chain drive steering setup, seems to work okay. You'll have to design a good tensioner, as any slop will be multiplied.

 

[Crane]

I wouldnt really call that power steering...for low speed it might be okay, i'd use a very large chain for peace of mind. My Chinese gy6 buggy has a chain drive steering setup, seems to work okay. You'll have to design a good tensioner, as any slop will be multiplied.

What happens in higher speeds?
I have 420 chain, which should be strong enough.

---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:02 PM ----------

For a moment I thought this was going to be an electronic power steering, hydraulic power steering, or electro-hydraulic power steering off a UTV or something, not a gear reduction mechanical steering.

I've only seen this type of steering used on Popular Mechanic's 1960s Pow'r Pup mini tractor build. With those, there's really no suspension (except the front i-beam with the wheels), so no with bump steer. Also it could be a bit twitchy.

I thought about the twitchiness which is quite common when it comes to chains, so maybe a tooth belt pulley assembly would be smoother?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

What happens in higher speeds?
I have 420 chain, which should be strong enough.

I personally just don't trust chain drive steering. I have no proof of failure or horror stories to back that. If i were building a powerful cart intended for offroad use or high speeds, i would stay away. thats just me though.

 

[Kartorbust]

It may work or not. Say you did build this and it didn't work, you would be out maybe $100 (sprockets, chain, heim joints, steel). You can buy a mini buggy rack and pinion on Amazon for that much, if not less or maybe a few dollars more. And it'll be pretty much bulletproof.

 

[Crane]

It may work or not. Say you did build this and it didn't work, you would be out maybe $100 (sprockets, chain, heim joints, steel). You can buy a mini buggy rack and pinion on Amazon for that much, if not less or maybe a few dollars more. And it'll be pretty much bulletproof.

I already have the sprockets and the steel. I would have to buy the joints anyway so only real cost is the chain which is under 20€. And where I live (Finland), the cost of shipping is usually more than the price of the product, in this case it would be over $100.

 

[itsid]

chain driven steering linkages are not new and they worked well for all I know
if your's is going to work depends mostly on your accuracy more than anything else..
too much or too little slack of the chain and it might bind or jump off
misaligned sprockets are baaad etc...

check 1947 'ish Trucks (Chevy GMC...) IIRC that was quite a common concept back then.
yes, much bigger, yes much longer chain (dual chain even) yadda yadda but esentially a chain driven steering linkage.

Also there's a product called "steer clear" IIRC.. that's a 1:1 ratio chain in a box to get the steering column out of the way for some more leg room

'sid

 

[Denny]

Chevrolet nor GMC used chain in their steering and I've been under the hood of a lot of them. As far as I know in the United States it is not even legal to do so. Steering must be a solid mechanical connection. The only time I have ever seen chain used on steering in the US is in concept cars (not road legal).


Denny

 

[itsid]

must be imagining things... I think I've seen a dual chain on some truck ..
could have been a rodder mod *shrugs*

aaanyways.. steer clear is a real thing (and the reason I think it might have been a hot rod thing):
http://www.wizardsteerclear.com/store.html

and [link]

Q. What's Inside Steer Clear? How Is It Made?

A. Steer Clear is made using 3/4" 36 splined input & output shafts. Each shaft is machine welded to a
21- tooth laser cut steel sprocket. Each shaft has two radial ball bearings on it which are held with metal
retaining rings.
..more blablabla....
Next we use a #35 ANSI approved single strand, continuous (no master link), preloaded, riveted steel roller
chain. After the chain is assembled, preloading aligns the various chain components which helps to eliminate
initial elongation and increase the usable service life of the chain. The chain we use has an average tensil
strength of 2,134 lbf.

IDK if that thing is road legal or not..
if something alike ever WAS road legal (jeez how could I)
but it's certainly not too important since the kart is not road legal either I bet

'sid