Development of a test bench for tuning and validating electric power steering control method

In this study, a test bench for electric power steering (EPS) system has been developed through the integration of the EPS mechanism, steering wheel angle sensor, vehicle speed meter, and the force feedback device. The feedback force can be instantaneously calculated according to the steering wheel angle and the vehicle speed, and then controlled by using two load cells at the ends of the rack as feedback signals. The force feedback device can simulate the reaction force of the rack while the driver turning the steering wheel. Moreover, as the torque sensor and EPS motor signals connect with the data recorder, the test bench can also be used to carry out the EPS performance tests, such as the assistant torque characteristics and the return-to-center performance. Hence, the test bench built in this work can provide engineers with the faster and safer access to the optimization of EPS control methods at the development stage.