Abstract A front-wheel steering system has a hydraulic power cylinder, and a control valve responsive to operation of a steering wheel for controlling oil supplied to the power cylinder so as to assist steering effort. A detector cylinder device is provided for cooperating with the power cylinder. The detector cylinder has a detector piston, a pair of chambers formed on the opposite sides of the detector piston and communicated with chambers on opposite sides of the piston of the power cylinder, and a pair of springs provided in the chambers for urging the detector piston to a neutral position. A potentiometer is connected to one of a rod of the detector piston, thereby producing an output signal in accordance with displacement of the detector piston. In response to the output signal, rear wheels are steered.
A steering system for a motor vehicle having a front-wheel steering system including a steering wheel, a hydraulic power cylinder, a piston of which is operatively connected to front wheels, and a control valve responsive to operation of the steering wheel for controlling oil supplied to the power cylinder so as to assist steering effort, the system comprising: a detector cylinder device having a detector piston with a pair of rods on opposite sides of the piston, a pair of chambers formed on the opposite sides of the detector piston and communicated with chambers on opposite sides of the piston of the power cylinder, and a pair of springs provided in the chambers for urging the detector piston to a neutral position; a potentiometer operatively connected to one of the rods of the detector piston, for producing an output signal in accordance with displacement of the detector piston; and rear-wheel steering means responsive to the output signal for steering rear wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A steering system for a motor vehicle having a front-wheel steering system including a steering wheel, a hydraulic power cylinder, a piston of which is operatively connected to front wheels, and a control valve responsive to operation of the steering wheel for controlling oil supplied to the power cylinder so as to assist steering effort, the system comprising: a detector cylinder device having a detector piston with a pair of rods on opposite sides of the piston, a pair of chambers formed on the opposite sides of the detector piston and communicated with chambers on opposite sides of the piston of the power cylinder, and a pair of springs provided in the chambers for urging the detector piston to a neutral position; a potentiometer operatively connected to one of the rods of the detector piston, for producing an output signal in accordance with displacement of the detector piston; and rear-wheel steering means responsive to the output signal for steering rear wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The steering system according to claim 1 wherein the potentiometer comprises a resistor element, and a sliding contact operatively connected to the detector piston so as to slide on the resistor element.