Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
Patent
1990-04-09
1991-09-17
Hill, Mitchell J.
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
60468, 91375A, 91437, 91438, 91467, 13762523, 13762524, 180143, 180149, B62D 508
Patent
active
050486306
ABSTRACT:
A power steering trim control system for use with steering mechanisms provided in automotive vehicles. The trim system includes a flow distribution valve (38) which selectively directs fluid pressure to segregated groups (34, 36) of valve lands (32) of a rotary valve (24) in proportion to the deflection of a torsion bar (22). The valve lands (32) are angularly off-set from those found in the prior art in order to produce a desired biasing, or torque compensation. The torque which is manually transmitted is progressively supplemented by fluid pressure delivered to the pressure movable part (14) of a steering linkage (16). The invention also includes a process control circuit (60) which is provided with a vehicle speed sensor (60) for generating an electrical signal representative of vehicle speed. A torque sensor (64) in the circuit (60) continuously monitors the magnitude and direction of manual steering effort exerted by the driver and computes the average manual steering effort during successive time intervals. At the end of each interval, the control circuit (60) generates an energizing current in proportion to the magnitude and direction of the manual torque. This current proportionately displaces the flow distribution valve (38), which in turn selectively distributes the working fluid to the power steering unit (24). This process is repeated until the remaining amount of manual force required to maintain a straight-ahead driving configuration is the amount desired by the driver. This results in a minimal, or zero net torque condition, thereby avoiding driver fatigue in crosswind conditions, on cambered highways, or when a vehicle's tires have unequal driving characteristics.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4063490 (1977-12-01), Duffy
patent: 4434866 (1984-03-01), Duffy
patent: 4516471 (1985-05-01), Duffy
patent: 4561521 (1985-12-01), Duffy
patent: 4570735 (1986-02-01), Duffy
patent: 4570736 (1986-02-01), Waldorf
patent: 4828067 (1989-05-01), Duffy
patent: 4926956 (1990-05-01), Duffy
Ford Motor Company
Hill Mitchell J.
McKenzie Frank G.
Zerschling Keith L.
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