US5022480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering safety mechanism
Assignee: Aisin AW Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-07-10
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2009-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A steering safety mechanism for an automotive vehicle includes a steering shaft, a steering rack for turning a tire in response to rotation of the steering shaft, a steering motor for rotating the steering shaft or oscillating the steering rack leftward and rightward, and an electronic control unit for controlling the motor. The motor is rotated in a direction which limits rotation of the steering shaft in dependence upon vehicle velocity and steering angle, or vehicle velocity alone. This makes it possible to prevent the vehicle from skidding sideways and rolling over when the driver turns the steering wheel too sharply.
Inventors
- 👤 Hidemitsu Inagaki
- 👤 Mutsumi Kawamoto
- 👤 Satoru Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:40
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/04; B62D5/0457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A steering safety mechanism for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a steering shaft and a steering wheel connected to said steering shaft for turning said steering shaft; a steering rack connected to a ground-engaging wheel for turning said ground engaging wheel responsive to the turning of the steering shaft; steering limiting means for mechanically engaging said rack to prevent further rotation of said steering shaft in one direction while permitting rotation of said steering shaft in the opposite direction; and steering limiting control means for selectively activating said steering limiting means to mechanically engage said steering rack responsive to vehicle velocity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A steering safety mechanism for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a steering shaft and a steering wheel connected to said steering shaft for turning said steering shaft; a steering rack connected to a ground-engaging wheel for turning said ground engaging wheel responsive to the turning of the steering shaft; steering limiting means for mechanically engaging said rack to prevent further rotation of said steering shaft in one direction while permitting rotation of said steering shaft in the opposite direction; and steering limiting control means for selectively activating said steering limiting means to mechanically engage said steering rack responsive to vehicle velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A steering safety mechanism in accordance with claim 1 further comprising engaging means formed on said rack; wherein said steering limiting means comprises: a rocking lever freely rotatably fitted on a support shaft; springs provided between said support shaft and said rocking lever; an engaging member provided on said rocking lever and engageable with said engaging means; and a weight provided on said rocking lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said engaging means is a recess or projections formed on said steering rack, said recess or said projections being formed to have step portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A steering safety mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said steering limiting means comprises: a rocking lever freely rotatably fitted on a support shaft; springs provided between said support shaft and said rocking lever; an engaging member provided on said rocking lever and contactable with said steering rack; a weight provided on said rocking lever; and rollers provided between said steering rack and said limiting mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steering safety mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said steering limiting control means selectively activates said steering limiting means responsive to vehicle velocity and steering angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said steering limiting means comprises: a steering motor; and a worm gear connecting said motor to said steering shaft; and wherein said steering limiting control means further comprises: an electronic control unit for delivering a control signal to said motor in dependence upon vehicle velocity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 6, wherein said control unit comprises: means establishing a limited region of values for vehicle velocity and steering angle; and decision means for deciding if input values for vehicle velocity and steering angle fall within said limited region and, if said input values do fall within said limited region, delivering said control signal to said motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said limited region includes a restoring force region wherein said control signal is delivered to the motor to apply a motor force to said steering shaft in a direction opposite to force applied through the steering wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said recess is delimited by shoulder abutments at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 6, wherein said control unit comprises: means for establishing power assist, restoring force and no control regions of values for vehicle velocity and steering angle; and decision means for deciding which of said regions input values for vehicle velocity and steering angle fall into and, if determined to fall into said power assist region, delivering a control signal to said motor for power assist and, if determined to fall into said restoring force region, delivering a control signal to said motor for restoring force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said limiting means comprises: a recess provided in the rack, and a solenoid with a plunger for selectively engaging the plunger in the recess; and wherein said limiting control means comprises an electronic control unit for delivering said control signal to said solenoid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said limiting means comprises: a recess having two opposing ends provided in the rack; engaging means for selectively engaging one of said two ends of the recess; and wherein said limiting control means comprises: a weight mounted for swinging movement responsive to vehicle velocity and steering angle, a rocking lever connecting said weight and said engaging means; and biasing means for biasing said lever toward a rest position perpendicular to the rack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said limiting means comprises: engaging means, having a curved surface, for selectively engaging with the rack surface; and wherein said limiting control means comprises: a weight mounted for swinging motion responsive to vehicle velocity and steering angle; a rocking lever connecting said weight with said engaging means; and rolling means provided between said engaging means and said rack, for urging said lever toward a rest position perpendicular to the rack.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A steering safety mechanism according to claim 13, wherein: said rolling means comprises two rollers provided between said curved surface and said rack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A steering safety mechanism for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a steering shaft; a steering rack for turning a tire in response to rotation of said steering shaft; engaging mean formed on said rack; a solenoid having a plunger engageable with said engaging means; and an electronic control unit for controlling said solenoid; said solenoid being controlled to limit movement of said steering rack in dependence upon vehicle velocity and steering angle, or vehicle velocity alone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
A steering safety mechanism for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a steering shaft; a steering rack for turning a tire in response to rotation of said steering shaft; engaging mean formed on said rack; a solenoid having a plunger engageable with said engaging means; and an electronic control unit for controlling said solenoid; said solenoid being controlled to limit movement of said steering rack in dependence upon vehicle velocity and steering angle, or vehicle velocity alone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |