US3580352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering torque servo
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
•
Filing: 1969-01-21
•
Granted: 1971-05-25
•
Expires: 1989-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle-steering system in which the steering column may be mechanically disengaged from the steering linkage after which steering control is accomplished by generation of electrical signals representing desired dirigible wheel position. Steering ''''feel'''' is provided by a controlled torque motor connected to the steering column through a torsion bar torque sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Erling Hestad
- 👤 Thomas E Ritter
- 👤 Alton G De Claire Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:07
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/001; B62D5/005; B62D5/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A vehicle-steering system comprising a manual control element, at least one dirigible wheel, power means for positioning said wheel and signal-generating means connected to the element for supplying an output to the power means for positioning the wheel according to manual inputs to the element, a torque motor having an output shaft, means for mechanically connecting the shaft to the control element and measuring the torque applied including a torsion bar having a reference end connected to the output shaft and a measurement end connected to the control element, an angular displacement signal generator hAving a rotor and a stator for producing electrical signals related to the angle of displacement therebetween, the rotor being mechanically connected to the measurement end of the torsion bar and the stator being mechanically connected to the reference end of the torsion bar whereby said electrical signals relate to the torsional load across the bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A vehicle-steering system comprising a manual control element, at least one dirigible wheel, power means for positioning said wheel and signal-generating means connected to the element for supplying an output to the power means for positioning the wheel according to manual inputs to the element, a torque motor having an output shaft, means for mechanically connecting the shaft to the control element and measuring the torque applied including a torsion bar having a reference end connected to the output shaft and a measurement end connected to the control element, an angular displacement signal generator hAving a rotor and a stator for producing electrical signals related to the angle of displacement therebetween, the rotor being mechanically connected to the measurement end of the torsion bar and the stator being mechanically connected to the reference end of the torsion bar whereby said electrical signals relate to the torsional load across the bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 further including means for comparing the electrical signals relating to torsional load to the output of said signal-generating means to produce an error signal, and means for applying the error signal to control the torque motor to drive the error signal toward zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electric power-steering system for vehicles comprising a rotatable steering member, signal-generating means for producing an electrical signal of varying character representing desired position of a dirigible vehicle wheel, power means responsive to the signal for positioning the wheel, a road-feel-generating servo loop comprising a torque motor responsive to desired dirigible wheel position to produce a mechanical output, a torque sensor connecting the motor to the rotatable steering member to produce a torque resisting rotation thereof away from a reference position, said sensor comprising a torsion bar having one end connected to the motor and the other end connected to the steering member, means for directly measuring angular displacement of one end of the bar relative to the other end, and means for comparing said displacement to the rotary position of said steering member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electric power-steering system for vehicles comprising a rotatable steering member, signal-generating means for producing an electrical signal of varying character representing desired position of a dirigible vehicle wheel, power means responsive to the signal for positioning the wheel, a road-feel-generating servo loop comprising a torque motor responsive to desired dirigible wheel position to produce a mechanical output, a torque sensor connecting the motor to the rotatable steering member to produce a torque resisting rotation thereof away from a reference position, said sensor comprising a torsion bar having one end connected to the motor and the other end connected to the steering member, means for directly measuring angular displacement of one end of the bar relative to the other end, and means for comparing said displacement to the rotary position of said steering member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE385792C
Cited
US1125776A
Cited
US1946100A
Cited
US2754465A
Cited
US2930247A
Cited
US3011579A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |