Patent · US Expired

Power steering control apparatus and method

US4557343A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
9References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 8, 1984
Grant dateDec 10, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 8, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D5/065
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Power assisted steering systems are commonly used on industrial vehicles such as industrial lift trucks. Advantageously, the output of such systems should be responsive to vehicle speed and the systems should be energy efficient. The subject power steering control system includes processor means for receiving a steering demand signal and a speed control signal, producing a high fluid flow rate signal in response to receiving the steering demand signal and to the speed control signal representing a vehicle speed less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed, producing a low fluid flow rate signal in response to receiving the steering demand signal and to the speed control signal representing a vehicle speed greater than the predetermined speed, and producing an idle fluid flow rate signal in response to failing to receive the steering demand signal. Hydraulic means receive the high, low, and idle fluid flow rate signals, produce respective predetermined hydraulic fluid flow rates in response to the received signal, and deliver the hydraulic fluid to the steering means.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.