Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
Patent
1985-07-24
1986-11-11
Love, John J.
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
91375A, 91434, B62D 508
Patent
active
046217037
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
German Pat. OS No. 24 34 604, having a counterpart in U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,131 shows a two section steering spindle connected by a torque rod. One section carries a steering wheel and the second section connects to a rack and pinion for actuating a steering linkage. The two sections coact as a rotary control valve in a well known manner, having relative rotation for valving control.
Intermediate the sections ball bearings are carried in radial bores in one section and rest in V-notches on the other. The outer sides of the ball bearings are exposed to servomotor pressure. The greater the pressure and the greater the relative rotation, the greater the detent effect of the ball bearings in the notches. This simulates steering resistance.
There is a disadvantage in that the slightest imperfection in machining the notches prevents the ball bearings from maintaining simultaneous contact with the notches in neutral steering position, causing a difference in simulated steering resistance for one steering direction as compared with the other. Further, the ball bearings have too short a sealing length against the pressure on their outer sides so that under low operating pressure conditions, sensitivity of reaction to simulate steering resistance suffers accordingly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A pair of coaxial spindle sections are utilized having relative movement in a housing wherein a first section is to be rotated by a steering spindle and is connected to a second section by a torque rod. The second section is to be connected by a rack and pinion to the steering linkage of a vehicle.
The sections are provided with coacting valving passages to control pressure flow and exhaust, coacting with valve housing passages.
Upon rotation of the first section by a steering wheel the road resistance met by the second section causes relative movement between the two sections against the opposing torque force of the torque rod which serves to return the sections to a neutral straight ahead steering relationship after the end of a steering operation.
The relative movement of the sections effects valving functions to control pressure flow to and exhaust of the servomotor, all in a well known manner.
Mounted coaxially and slidably on the first section is a reaction piston which is reciprocal within the housing wherein the construction effects a reaction pressure chamber for respective faces of the piston. The reaction pressure chambers communicate with valving passages of the spindle sections so that either reaction chamber receives working pressure of the servomotor while the other has exhaust pressure, coinciding with these pressures in the servomotor pressure chambers.
The reaction piston has a helical gearing connection with the first spindle section and connnects via a slidable keyway with the second section. Accordingly, when the reaction piston is pressurized on one surface it is restrained against rotation but can reciprocate due to the pressurization. As a result, the helical gearing connection exerts a reactive torque force on the first section which opposes the manual steering force exerted thereon to effect simulated steering resistance.
The invention permits a construction which is precise in coaction of the relatively movable reactive components.
A detailed description of the invention now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through one embodiment;
FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragmentary section of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the helical gearing on the first spindle sction;
FIG. 3 is a section on the line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a variation wherein ball bearings are utilized in a cage which encompasses helical gearing on the first spindle section in place of helical teeth on the second spindle sction;
FIG. 5 is a section on the line V--V of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a modified drive utilizing a ball nut between a second steering spindle and a rack for rotation of a steering pinion segment.
Referring now
REFERENCES:
patent: 4154317 (1979-05-01), Nishikawa et al.
patent: 4373598 (1983-02-01), Elser
patent: 4421010 (1983-12-01), Elser
Love John J.
Watts Charles R.
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG.
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