EP0207604A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle power assisted steering systems
Assignee: Group Lotus PLC
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Filing: 1986-05-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A power assisted vehicle steering system comprises a sensor (25) providing an output dependent on the steering effect applied to a steering wheel (10) and an electric motor (16) responsive to the sensor output to apply a steering drive to a steerable vehicle wheel. The sensor and motor can be located in the region of the steering wheel and can be constituted as a kit for adding a power steering facility to a vehicle without one. The sensor output may be modified at will or in response to vehicle experience and a switch can be provided to render the system inoperative.
Inventors
- 👤 David Allen Williams
- 👤 Peter Godfrey Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:34
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D6/00; B62D6/08; B62D6/10; B62D5/00; B62D5/04; B62D5/0403; B62D5/0409; B62D5/0412; B62D5/0415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A power assisted vehicle steering system comprising steering gear with a manually operable steering element (10) for steering at least one steerable vehicle wheel, a sensor (25) providing an output dependent on the steering effort applied to the steering element (10), and electric power source (16) for operating the steering gear in dependence on the sensor output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A power assisted vehicle steering system comprising steering gear with a manually operable steering element (10) for steering at least one steerable vehicle wheel, a sensor (25) providing an output dependent on the steering effort applied to the steering element (10), and electric power source (16) for operating the steering gear in dependence on the sensor output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steering element comprises a steering wheel (10), the sensor (25) is responsive to the torque applied to the steering wheel, and the power source comprises an electric motor (16) for driving a steering column (11).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A power assistance system in the form of a kit for addition to a vehicle having a steering gear with a steering wheel (10) for turning a steering column (11) to steer at least one steerable vehicle road wheel, the system comprising a torque sensor (25) arranged to be installed so as to sense force applied to the steering column (11) by the steering wheel (10) and to supply an output to an electric motor (16) arranged to be installed so as to apply to the steering column (11) a turning force dependent on the sensor output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A power assistance system in the form of a kit for addition to a vehicle having a steering gear with a steering wheel (10) for turning a steering column (11) to steer at least one steerable vehicle road wheel, the system comprising a torque sensor (25) arranged to be installed so as to sense force applied to the steering column (11) by the steering wheel (10) and to supply an output to an electric motor (16) arranged to be installed so as to apply to the steering column (11) a turning force dependent on the sensor output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the sensor (25) and the motor (16) are located in proximity to the steering wheel (10).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the electric motor (16) comprises a direct drive torque motor having a rotor (17) secured to the steering column (11).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the sensor (25) comprises a torque transducer having a wiper secured to the steering column and co-operating with a track secured to the steering wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 having artificial feel spring means (31) operative between the steering column (11) and the steering wheel (10).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim having a switch (51) whereby the system can be selectively rendered operative or inoperative.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim having control means (46,47,50) whereby the power applied to the steering gear by the power source (16) is selectively variable.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim having signal shaping means (44) responsive to driver control and/or to one or more vehicle performance parameters located between the sensor (25) and the motor (16).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1863567A
Cited
US3983953A
Cited
DE2925156B1
Cited
GB2082524A
Cited
DE3124181A1
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EP0125918A2
Cited
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