Motor vehicles – Steering gear – With fluid power assist
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-20
2001-07-10
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Steering gear
With fluid power assist
C180S422000, C180S429000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257364
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to electro-hydraulic power packs for use in automotive applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a submersible electro-hydraulic power pack for use in automotive power steering applications.
BACKGROUND ART
The use of hydraulic pumps, such as power steering pumps, is well known in the automotive industry. The use of an electro-hydraulic power steering system having an individual hydraulic pump shaft-coupled to a separate electric motor has also become well known in the automotive industry. These power steering systems typically have a combined electronic control unit and power module functionally connected to the motor such as through a wiring harness or the like. In current systems, the control unit and module are often mounted remotely from the motor and pump and often at some considerable distance away.
Such a motor, pump, module arrangement is relatively costly to manufacture and assemble because each of the components is separate and discrete requiring that they be manufactured and sold individually. Further, because they are separate units that are typically mounted at least some distance from one another, they require the usage of a large space envelope underneath the hood of a vehicle. Additionally, the more parts required to operate the system, the heavier and the more expensive the system becomes.
Further, these prior systems are all configured such that they are shielded from direct splash, such as through the inclusion of a splash guard. This is to prevent the components from being damaged due to a direct splash of water from underneath the vehicle. However, if the undercarriage of a vehicle into which a typical power steering system (pump, motor, and module) is installed, were to become submerged in water or other fluid, it would typically leak and most likely damage one or more components of the system rendering them inoperable for at least a short period of time. This is because current power steering systems are not designed to be submersible when operating. For example, typical electrical connections between the module and the motor have rubber seals which are insufficient to prevent water from leaking into the pump/motor housing. Additionally, typical pump/motor modules have drain holes to allow water to drain out in the event any finds its way into the housing. Those drain holes would allow water direct access to the interior of the pump/motor module in the event the module was submerged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electro-hydraulic power steering system having all necessary components assembled as an integrated unit that is submersible when operating without any resultant water damage.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integrated electro-hydraulic power steering system having all necessary components assembled as an integrated unit allowing for the components of the system to share functions, resulting in the usage of less parts and therefore a cost and weight savings.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an integrated electro-hydraulic power steering system having a shaft bearing retention that allows for easy non-destructive removal of the shaft and bearing for service.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, an electro-hydraulic power steering system is provided. The system includes a power pack having an electric motor with a rotatable drive shaft and a hydraulic pump having a gear drive in rotatable communication with the drive shaft. The electric motor is disposed in a motor housing having a closed end and an open end. The open end of the motor housing is in communication with the motor drive shaft such that the drive shaft can extend therethrough. The open end of the motor housing is secured to one end of a pump housing. The other end of the pump housing is secured to a pump reservoir. The pump reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump in order to provide fluid thereto such that the pump can pass the fluid to a steering gear as required.
An electronic control module which controls the operation of the motor is disposed on the pump housing and in thermal communication with the pump reservoir such that the power pack and the electronic control module are constructed as a single modular unit. The modular unit is constructed such that it can be submerged in liquid while operating without leakage, which would affect the operation.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and independent claims.
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Machine Design Magazine—“New Techniques Muffle Hydraulic Noise” by Stanley J. Skaistis, vol. 51, No. 7, Mar. 22, 1979, pp. 120-126.
Palakodati Sunil
Parkhill Scott Thomas
Reuter David Carnell
Brown Gregory P.
Dickson Paul N.
Ford Global Technologies Inc.
Lerner Avraham H.
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