EP0090697A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack and pinion steering arrangement including an improved neutral position sensor
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-03-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-03-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a rack and pinion steering arrangement including an improved neutral position sensor. The neutral steering position of a rack shaft (14) of a rack and pinion steering arrangement (10) is sensed by a switch (52) having a probe (42) which extends into a recess (46) formed in the rack shaft (14), when the shaft is in its home or neutral position and which is depressed downwardly upon the rack shaft (14) being moved to the left or right of the neutral position. The switch (52) may be of the contact type or of a magnetic flux sensitive type responsive to the depression of the probe (42). This sensor arrangement is more sensitive and is securely disposed in a location where it is protected from vibrations and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirotsugu Yamaguchi
- 👤 Shuichi Sasaki
- 👤 Tokiyoshi Yanai
- 👤 Masato Fukino
- 👤 Yutaka Aoyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:14
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D15/00; B62D15/02; B62D3/00; B62D3/02; B62D3/12; B62D3/123; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/20; B62D5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A rack and pinion steering arrangement (10) having a rack shaft (14) slidably received in a rack tube (18) and operatively connected with a pinion housed in a gear housing (16), a sensor (12) for sensing the neutral position of said rack shaft (14) characterized in that it comprises : means defining a recess (46) in said rack shaft (14); and a switch (52) having a probe (42) which, in a first position thereof, extends into said recess (46) when said rack shaft (14) is in the neutral position thereof and which, in a second position thereof, is depressed away from said first position by contact with a non-recessed portion of said rack shaft upon said rack shaft being moved axially from said neutral position by a predetermined amount, said switch (52) being arranged to produce an output signal upon said probe being moved from said first position to said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A rack and pinion steering arrangement (10) having a rack shaft (14) slidably received in a rack tube (18) and operatively connected with a pinion housed in a gear housing (16), a sensor (12) for sensing the neutral position of said rack shaft (14) characterized in that it comprises : means defining a recess (46) in said rack shaft (14); and a switch (52) having a probe (42) which, in a first position thereof, extends into said recess (46) when said rack shaft (14) is in the neutral position thereof and which, in a second position thereof, is depressed away from said first position by contact with a non-recessed portion of said rack shaft upon said rack shaft being moved axially from said neutral position by a predetermined amount, said switch (52) being arranged to produce an output signal upon said probe being moved from said first position to said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said switch (52) takes the form of a Hall-effect switch and wherein said probe (42) has a magnet (50) attached to an end (48) thereof juxtaposed said Hall-effect switch (52).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said rack shaft (14) is arranged to slide in a bushing (38) which bushing is formed with a bore (40) in which said probe (42) is slidably received.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bushing (38) and said probe (42) are made of a synthetic resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch takes the form of a pair of stationary contacts (80) and a movable contact (72) for electrically connecting said stationary contacts (80), said movable contact (72) being carried on an end of said probe (74) and arranged to contact said stationary contacts upon said probe (74) assuming said second position thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said probe has a ball (96) rotatably retained at an end thereof and which is arranged to act as a ball bearing between said probe and said rack shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said probe is biased away from said switch by a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said stationary contacts (80) are spring loaded (via springs 84) for cushioning the impact of the movable contact (72) thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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