Power steering system
US5511630A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D15/025
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A power steering system is disclosed which automatically corrects unexpected variations in the path of a vehicle without requiring a driver to make corrections. A rotary valve in the power steering system includes an inner sleeve connected to a steering wheel, an outer sleeve connected to a pinion shaft meshed with a rack bar, and a torsion bar coupled to the inner sleeve and the pinion shaft. The rotary valve switches oil passages communicating with a power cylinder by means of relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve to thereby assist in steering. The outer sleeve and the pinion shaft are connected to each other for slight relative rotation through an elastomer or resilient connecting member. If an unexpected variation in path is produced in the vehicle, the outer sleeve is rotated by the operation of a torque motor which causes the operation of the rotary valve, thereby moving the power cylinder whereby a steering force is produced for correcting the variation in path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.