With most people now focusing on new electric and autonomous car technologies, I am pleased to see that some are still looking to improve some of the structural features of cars. As is the issue of the turning radius of the wheels.
Because in all cars the wheels turn, and the smaller the turning radius, the easier it will be to perform turning and parking maneuvers. And in places where parking space is limited, which happens very often, the turning capacity of the wheels will make the car parkable or not.
I have seen that the ZF company has presented its Easy Turn system, which makes the wheel turn up to 80º. Which is far superior to what current wheels turn. And that makes an important difference.
You can see a photo below.
And a video at: https://youtu.be/J2bOIASuXR8
The people of ZF have installed their system in a BMW i3 car to make the previous video, and it must be admitted that the results are spectacular. The car almost spins on itself.
The same car of that model needs almost 10 meters to turn in the opposite direction, and with this Easy Turn system it does so in just over 6 meters. The difference is very appreciable.
And when it comes to parking, the difference is abysmal. With the Easy Turn system, you can park in an inch of land. Important thing for those who are a bit clumsy in parking tasks, like someone I know.
And of course, the bigger the car, the more the difference will be noticeable, and the easier its maneuvers will be.
It must be recognized that the system has a limitation, and that is that it can only be used in front-wheel drive cars, since it is necessary that the wheels that turn are the ones that “push” the car.
I do not know what the cost of the Easy Turn system will be, but from the photo it does not seem that it is excessively complex. And if it is not very expensive (bear in mind that large manufacturing series lower costs), it can be applied to many cars, which would be very good for the ZF company and for those of us who drive.
In summary, a great idea that can be applied to all types of cars, and that will make life easier for drivers.
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