Roll control actuator

Details Roll control actuator Roll control actuator

2000-05-25

2001-11-20

Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)

Land vehicles

Suspension modification enacted during travel

Lateral vehicle disposition

C280S124106, C267S277000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318737

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a roll control actuator for a roll control system of a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a roll control system for a motor vehicle which comprises a torsion bar which is formed in two parts, with an actuator positioned between the two parts. The actuator is controllably actuated to either allow free relative rotational movement of the two parts of the torsion bar about their longitudinal axes (for example, during straight line motion of the motor vehicle), or to create a torque between (or lock) the two parts together (for example, during cornering of the motor vehicle). Known roll control actuators, as, for example, described in GB-A-2212770 and GB-A-2220625 are complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a roll control actuator which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantage.
A roll control actuator in accordance with the present invention for installation between first and second axially aligned parts of a torsion bar comprising a first cylindrical housing connectable at one end to the first part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall with an inner surface; a second cylindrical housing connectable at one end to the second part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall with an inner surface; the cylindrical wall of the first housing being coaxial with, rotatable relative to, and axially fixed relative to, the cylindrical wall of the second housing; a shaft positioned inside the first and second housings and being capable of moving in the axial direction relative to the first and second housings; a first tripot joint mounted on the shaft and having rollers positioned in helically extending grooves formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the first housing; a second tripot joint mounted on the shaft and having rollers positioned in helically extending grooves formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the second housing; the grooves in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the first housing having an opposite rotational direction about the axis to the grooves in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the second housing; and control means associated with the shaft and the first and second housings to control the relative rotational movement therebetween.
The roll control actuator in accordance with the present invention is much simpler, and hence easier to assembly, then previously known actuators.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4648620 (1987-03-01), Nuss
patent: 5217245 (1993-06-01), Guy
patent: 5251926 (1993-10-01), Aulerich et al.
patent: 5417407 (1995-05-01), Gordon
patent: 5573265 (1996-11-01), Pradel et al.
patent: 5749596 (1998-05-01), Jensen et al.
patent: 5882017 (1999-03-01), Carleer
patent: 6022030 (2000-02-01), Fehring
patent: 6149166 (2000-11-01), Struss et al.
patent: 6190260 (2001-02-01), Flores et al.
patent: 2212770 (1989-08-01), None
patent: 2220625 (1990-01-01), None

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