Power assisted steering device for a vehicle
US4421191A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86638
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle comprises a two-part steering column, which parts are capable of limited relative angular displacement, and a hydraulic power-assistance mechanism having a distributor responsive to relative angular displacement of the parts and comprising two rotors, each rotationally integral with a corresponding part of the steering column. One or both of the steering column parts has a prism-shaped cavity in its end, a prism-shaped plug being received in the cavity with an angular offset and being connected to the other part, thus providing the limited angular play between the two parts. The plug may either be a separate element received in cavities in both parts of the steering column, or may be received in a cavity of only one part and integrally formed with the other part. A thin corrugated tooth annular element may act as a rotational lock between each part and the corresponding rotor of the distributor. Alternatively, the rotor is received directly on a prismatic outer surface of the corresponding part, or on the plug, when the plug is rotationally fast with the part.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.