Detailed explanation of the steering system of electric scooters for the elderly

Detailed explanation of the steering system of electric scooters for the elderly
In today’s society, with the increasing aging of the global population, the market for electric scooters for the elderly is showing a rapid growth trend. For international wholesale buyers, an in-depth understanding of the steering system of electric scooters for the elderly can not only help them better select and evaluate suppliers, but also provide an important basis for product customization and procurement. This article will comprehensively analyze the principles, types, market analysis and application cases of the steering system of electric scooters for the elderly. From basic theory to practical operation, every link will be explained in detail for you.

1. Basic principles of steering system
The steering system is a key component of the vehicle, and its main function is to enable the vehicle to change the direction of travel according to the driver’s intention. In electric scooters for the elderly, common steering systems include mechanical steering systems and electric power steering systems (EPS).
(I) Mechanical steering system
The mechanical steering system is mainly composed of steering wheel, steering shaft, steering gear, steering transmission mechanism and other components. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering shaft drives the steering gear to work, converting the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion of the steering rocker arm, and then drives the wheel deflection through the steering transmission mechanism to achieve the steering of the vehicle. This system has a simple structure and high reliability, but requires the driver to apply a large steering force, which may be difficult for the elderly with weak physical strength to operate.
(II) Electric power steering system (EPS)
The electric power steering system adds an electric power assist device on the basis of the mechanical steering system. It is mainly composed of torque sensor, electronic control unit (ECU), power assist motor, reducer and other components. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the torque sensor detects the size and direction of the steering torque and transmits the signal to the ECU. According to information such as vehicle speed and steering torque, the ECU controls the power assist motor to output the corresponding power assist torque, which is transmitted to the steering gear through the reducer to assist the driver in steering operations. This system can automatically adjust the power assist size according to the vehicle speed. It is light and flexible at low speed and stable and reliable at high speed, which greatly reduces the steering burden of the driver and is especially suitable for the elderly.

2. Types and technical specifications of steering systems
(I) Type
Mechanical steering system
Simple structure and low maintenance cost.
No additional energy supply is required and the reliability is high.
But the steering force is large, which is not friendly to the elderly.
Electric power steering system (EPS)
The steering is light and can automatically adjust the power according to the vehicle speed.
Improve driving comfort and safety.
The cost is high and electronic components need to be maintained regularly.
(II) Technical specifications
Take a certain electric scooter for the elderly as an example, the technical specifications of its steering system are as follows:
Steering method: electric power steering (EPS)
Steering gear type: rack and pinion
Steering transmission ratio: 16.5:1
Maximum steering torque: 3.5 N·m
Power motor power: 120 W
ECU control accuracy: ±5%
System operating voltage: 12 V
Minimum turning radius: 3.8 m

3. Market analysis
(I) Market size and growth trend
With the continuous increase of the elderly population in the world, the market for electric scooters for the elderly is showing a rapid growth trend. According to market research institutions, the global market for electric scooters for the elderly will have an annual compound growth rate of more than 8% in the next few years. Among them, the steering system, as a key component, will also expand its market size accordingly.
(II) Major players and competition landscape
At present, the participants in the steering system market of electric scooters for the elderly mainly include traditional auto parts suppliers, professional steering system manufacturers and emerging electric scooter accessories companies. Traditional auto parts suppliers have a large competitive advantage by virtue of their technical accumulation and market share in the automotive industry; professional steering system manufacturers focus on the research and development and production of steering technology, providing high-performance and high-reliability products; emerging electric scooter accessories companies are gradually emerging in the market with flexible market strategies and innovative product designs.
(III) Market demand and development trend
In terms of market demand, as the elderly’s requirements for travel convenience and comfort continue to increase, the demand for electric scooters for the elderly with advanced steering systems is also increasing. At the same time, there are differences in market demand in different regions. Developed countries such as Europe and the United States have higher requirements for the technical level and safety of products, while emerging markets such as Asia pay more attention to the cost-effectiveness and practicality of products.
In terms of development trend, the steering system of electric scooters for the elderly will develop in the direction of intelligence, lightweight and high efficiency in the future. In terms of intelligence, more sensors and control algorithms will be integrated to realize advanced driving assistance functions such as automatic parking and lane keeping; in terms of lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy and other lightweight materials will be used to reduce the weight of the system and improve the energy efficiency of the vehicle; in terms of efficiency, the performance of the power motor and ECU will be further optimized to improve the response speed and power accuracy of the system.

IV. Application Case Analysis
(I) Steering System Application of a Certain Brand of Elderly Electric Scooters
Take a well-known brand of elderly electric scooters as an example, which uses an advanced electric power steering system (EPS). The system has the following characteristics:
Precise power control: Through high-precision torque sensors and advanced ECU control algorithms, it can accurately provide the required power according to different vehicle speeds and steering angles, making the steering operation lighter and more accurate.
High safety: It has a fault self-diagnosis function. Once the system is abnormal, it will immediately issue an alarm and switch to safety mode to ensure driving safety.
Good comfort: The optimized steering transmission mechanism and shock absorption design effectively reduce the impact of road bumps on the steering system and improve driving comfort.
(II) Comparative application of different steering systems in electric scooters for the elderly
In actual applications, there are significant differences between mechanical steering systems and electric power steering systems. A manufacturer of electric scooters for the elderly used these two steering systems for product testing. The results show:
Operation experience: The electric power steering system is lighter and more labor-saving when steering, especially when driving at low speeds and parking, which makes it easier for the elderly to drive; while the mechanical steering system requires the driver to apply greater steering force, which is more difficult for the elderly with weaker physical strength to operate.
Energy consumption performance: The electric power steering system consumes a certain amount of electrical energy when assisting, but due to its efficient control strategy, the overall energy consumption has not increased significantly; the mechanical steering system does not require additional energy consumption, but it consumes part of the engine’s power when steering, affecting the vehicle’s fuel economy.
Maintenance cost: The structure of the mechanical steering system is relatively simple, and the maintenance cost is low, mainly due to the wear and replacement of some mechanical parts; the electric power steering system has a relatively high maintenance cost due to the involvement of electronic components and complex control systems, but with the maturity of technology and the reduction of component costs, this gap is gradually narrowing.

4. Summary and Outlook
The steering system of electric scooters for the elderly is an important part of ensuring the safety and comfort of the vehicle. From mechanical steering systems to electric power steering systems (EPS), the continuous advancement of technology has brought more convenience and safety to the travel of the elderly. In the context of increasingly fierce market competition, companies should increase their investment in the research and development of steering systems and continuously improve the performance and quality of products to meet the growing travel needs of the elderly.
For international wholesale buyers, in-depth understanding of the technical principles, market trends and application cases of steering systems will help make more informed decisions when selecting suppliers and products. At the same time, with the continuous expansion of the global market for electric scooters for the elderly, there are huge business opportunities in the field of steering systems. Buyers can establish long-term and stable cooperative relationships with high-quality suppliers to jointly develop the market and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.