Motor vehicles – Steering gear – With fluid power assist
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-08-28
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
Steering gear
With fluid power assist
C280S093513, C280S093512, C280S124125
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279676
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
0
F THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus including a fluid power assist steering gear for effecting steering movement of a steerable road wheel of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A motor vehicle includes a steering system for steering the steerable road wheels, typically the front wheels, of the vehicle. The steering system often includes a steering gear assembly located remote from the steerable wheels of the vehicle, for example, on the vehicle frame or body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,017 discloses a fluid power assist vehicle steering system that includes an integral power steering gear. The integral power steering gear is located remote from the steerable wheels of the vehicle. Actuation of the steering gear rotates a sector shaft or output shaft that is connected with a pitman arm. The pitman arm is connected through linkage, such as tie rods, to the steerable wheels of the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,914 discloses a vehicle steering system located adjacent to a steerable wheel of the vehicle. The steering system includes an electric motor mounted with a McPherson strut. Actuation of the motor rotates the piston of the strut to steer the steerable wheel of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a steering apparatus for use in a vehicle having a steerable road wheel. The steering apparatus comprises a steering member supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member, and a vehicle suspension part supporting the steering member for pivotal movement about a steering axis. The vehicle suspension part has a housing portion defining a chamber. A piston is located in the chamber and divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions. The piston is movable in response to changes in fluid pressure in the chamber portions. An output shaft is rotatable in opposite directions in response to movement of the piston in opposite directions. The output shaft is connected to the steering member to pivot the steering member about the steering axis upon rotation of the output shaft.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5044456 (1991-09-01), Hayashi et al.
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patent: 5562017 (1996-10-01), Wuenscher
patent: 5803201 (1998-09-01), Sheppard
patent: 6135232 (2000-10-01), Salg
patent: 6206132 (2001-03-01), Urbach
patent: 8200983 (1982-04-01), None
Ilan Ruth
Mai Lanna
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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