US3828883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Assisted steering control with automatic return,especially for automobile vehicles
Assignee: Valeo SE
•
Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An assisted control system for the steering of automotive vehicles, comprises a steering column, a detector responsive to rotation of the column and acting on a toothed rack coupled to the steerable wheels of the vehicle so as to modify the turning angle of the wheels by the movement of the rack, and a double acting hydraulic jack system acting on the rack in either direction. A distribution device actuated by the detector is interposed between the jack system and a controlling source of energy comprising a hydraulic power station. The distribution device comprises an assistance element controlled by the detector and a centering device which brings the assistance element into a mean position of rest, and a restoring element controlled by an operating member responsive to a modification of the turning angle and comprising a reversing device ensuring a reversal of the direction of actuation of the jack system after the return of the assistance element to its position of rest. Both the assistance element and the restoring element of the distribution device comprise gating passages successively interposed between the hydraulic station and the jack system.
Inventors
- 👤 M Rist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:14
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/20; B62D5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
An assisted steering control system for an automobile vehicle, of the kind comprising a rotatable actuating column, a toothed-rack movably-mounted longitudinally and coupled to the steering wheels of said vehicle in such manner as to modify the turning angle of said wheels during the movement of said rack, transmission means provided between said column and said toothedrack in order to move said rack and in consequence to modify the turning angle of said vehicle wheels when said actuating column is rotated, detector means responsive to action on said column for moving said toothed-rack, assistance means adapted to act on said rack in one direction or the other, a source of energy adapted to control said assistance means in one direction or the other, and a distribution device actuated by said detector means and interposed between said source of energy and said assistance means, for actuating said means in one direction or the other, in which said distribution device comprises two elements, each element being movably mounted between two extreme positions, a first element or assistance element controlled on the one hand by said detector means and on the other hand by centering means which continuously urge said assistance element into the direction of a mean position between its extreme positions, known as the position of rest, and a second element or restoring element, controlled by an operating member especially responsive to a modification of the turning angle of said wheels, said restoring element constituting a reversing device adapted to ensure a reversal of the direction of actuation of said assistance means, after the return of said assistance element to the position of rest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
An assisted steering control system for an automobile vehicle, of the kind comprising a rotatable actuating column, a toothed-rack movably-mounted longitudinally and coupled to the steering wheels of said vehicle in such manner as to modify the turning angle of said wheels during the movement of said rack, transmission means provided between said column and said toothedrack in order to move said rack and in consequence to modify the turning angle of said vehicle wheels when said actuating column is rotated, detector means responsive to action on said column for moving said toothed-rack, assistance means adapted to act on said rack in one direction or the other, a source of energy adapted to control said assistance means in one direction or the other, and a distribution device actuated by said detector means and interposed between said source of energy and said assistance means, for actuating said means in one direction or the other, in which said distribution device comprises two elements, each element being movably mounted between two extreme positions, a first element or assistance element controlled on the one hand by said detector means and on the other hand by centering means which continuously urge said assistance element into the direction of a mean position between its extreme positions, known as the position of rest, and a second element or restoring element, controlled by an operating member especially responsive to a modification of the turning angle of said wheels, said restoring element constituting a reversing device adapted to ensure a reversal of the direction of actuation of said assistance means, after the return of said assistance element to the position of rest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said assistance means compriSe double-acting hydraulic jack means, said source of energy is a hydraulic station, and the assistance and restoring elements for said distribution device both comprise gating passages successively interposed between said hydraulic station and said jack means and arranged in such manner as not to modify the direction of actuation of said jack means when, the assistance element being in one of its extreme positions, the restoring element passes from a mean position of rest to its extreme position corresponding to that of said assistance element, and on the other hand so as to modify the direction of actuation of said jack means between the moment when, the restoring element being in any position, the assistance element is moved towards one of its extreme positions and the moment when, the restoring element being moved towards its extreme position which corresponds to that of the assistance element, said latter element has returned to its mean position of rest.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said assistance element and said restoring element are movable independently of each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said restoring element is a jacket slidably-mounted on a slide-valve which is in turn movable axially and which constitutes said assistance element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 2, in which said restoring element is a jacket slidably-mounted, on the one hand in a casing which is itself axially movable, and on the other hand on a slide-valve which forms said assistance element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assistance steering system as claimed in claim 4, in which said jacket which constitutes the restoring element is slidably mounted inside a fixed casing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 5, in which said restoring element comprises a plurality of transverse gating passages adapted to be put into communication two by two under the control of at least one gating recess formed for that purpose in said assistance element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 7, in which the travel of said restoring element between its extreme positions is less than the corresponding maximum travel of said assistance element, and the axial length of the gating recess of said assistance element is comprised between the distance separating the transverse edges of the gating passages of said restoring element which are farthest away from each other, and the distance separating the edges of said gating passages which are closest together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said restoring element is fixed to its operating member, and further comprising releasable pawl and ratchet means provided between said operating member and said toothed rack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said restoring element is operated by hydraulic means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assisted steering system as claimed in claim 1, in which said restoring element is controlled by an actuating member responsive to the turning angle impressed on said vehicle wheels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |