Hydraulic clutching steering damper
US6561305B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A damper for a vehicle rack and pinion-type power steering system reduces or eliminates high frequency and low amplitude vibrations commonly associated with high-speed steering wheel shake. The damper includes a hydraulically actuated clutch that is energized by a spring in the damper. The damper locks or inhibits rotation of a steering shaft coupled to the rack and pinion assembly while the vehicle is traveling straight down the road to absorb the input energy and cancel any vibration from the wheels, suspension or road. The clutch is released when there is any steering wheel input from the operator. Increased pressure from the power steering pump as a result of steering wheel input increases the pressure in the damper to compress a spring and release the multi-disk clutch. This allows the steering system to behave in an acceptable manner by not adding any friction or extra force requirements to the driver and providing acceptable feel and return to center characteristics for the steering system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.