Motor vehicles – Steering gear – No mechanical connection between steering shaft and steering...
Patent
1996-05-23
1998-06-23
Kramer, Dean
Motor vehicles
Steering gear
No mechanical connection between steering shaft and steering...
180429, 91375A, B62D 5083
Patent
active
057691789
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power steering system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a power steering system which can adjust the position of wheels of the vehicle by means of only hydraulic pressure without a steering shaft thereby enlarging a space for a driver.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, in case of using low pressure tires, since adhesion force of steerable wheels is increased, a large force for handling the steering wheel is required to steer the vehicle rapidly. In recent years, since a front wheel drive car and a wide width tire have become quite popular, the power steering system is used to accomplish the rapid steering operation and to provide the low handling force.
The power steering system is designed to reduce the force for handling the steering wheel by receiving the hydraulic pressure from an oil pump which is operated by an engine.
In a conventional power steering system, as shown in FIG. 12, a column shaft assembly 102 is supported on a bracket 101 mounted toward a driver's seat and a steering wheel 104 is fixed to a steering shaft 103 which extends from an upper end of the column shaft assembly 102. Further, a power cylinder 105 is connected to a lower end of the steering shaft 103 by means of a universal joint 106 such that the steering force of the steering wheel 104 is transmitted to the power cylinder 105.
The power steering system is designed such that the hydraulic pressure generated from the oil pump is induced to the power cylinder 105. The direction of the hydraulic pressure is changed in accordance with the steering direction, whereby a piston (not shown) within the power cylinder is moved by the hydraulic pressure.
However, in the power steering system, since the mounting angle between the column shaft assembly and the power cylinder should be maintained at a predetermined angle, it is difficult to set a layout of the vehicle.
Particularly, since the column shaft and the universal joint are disposed toward the driver's seat, the space for the driver is reduced. Further, a plurality of supporting members should be used for fixing the column shaft assembly which increase the manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power steering system which can reduce the manufacturing cost and enlarge the space for driver by mounting a hydraulic control unit part and a power cylinder to be separated from each other.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power steering system for a vehicle comprising a steering wheel; a torsion bar fixed to the steering wheel to rotate therewith; a hydraulic control unit for controlling hydraulic pressure generating from an oil pump in response to the rotation of the torsion bar, the hydraulic control unit being mounted around the torsion bar; and a power cylinder separated from the torsion bar and receiving the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic control unit, the power cylinder having a piston meshed with a sector gear connected with a pitman arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a power steering system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a hydraulic control unit of the power steering system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a valve assembly for forming the hydraulic control unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first rotating member of the hydraulic control unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a transverse cross section view of a second rotating member
REFERENCES:
patent: 3452543 (1969-07-01), Goff et al.
patent: 3583517 (1971-06-01), Pensa
patent: 3724585 (1973-04-01), Conrad
patent: 3991846 (1976-11-01), Chichester et al.
patent: 4798256 (1989-01-01), Fassbender
patent: 5048630 (1991-09-01), Schaffer
Hyundai Motor Company
Kramer Dean
LandOfFree
Power steering system for vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Power steering system for vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Power steering system for vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1386466