Power steering system

• US 20050173182A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yokota, Tadaharu, Sudo, Yukio, Kurata, Masakazu, Hiramoto, Michiya
• Granted Patent: US 7,086,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/441
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/06 fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/062 Details, component parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/065 characterised by specially adapted means for varying pressurised fluid supply based on need, e.g. on-demand, variable assist
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20561 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3051 Cross-check valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 7/006 Rotary pump input

Abstract

A power steering system for a vehicle, comprises a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism. A hydraulic power cylinder is provided for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism. A reversible pump is provided having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with two hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the two hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressures. A driving device is provided for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate. A differential pressure regulating valve is disposed in the hydraulic circuit to maintain pressure at least in the first and second hydraulic lines at a level of atmospheric pressure or higher in an inoperative condition of the reversible pump.

Claims

1. A power steering system comprising:

a hydraulic power cylinder including a piston for defining first and second hydraulic pressure chambers, hydraulic fluid being supplied to or discharged from each of the first and second hydraulic chambers under action of a hydraulic pressure source to hydraulically operate the piston so as to accomplish steering assisting;

first and second hydraulic lines which are respectively connected to first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, the first and second hydraulic lines being connected to the hydraulic pressure source;

a bypass passage through which the first and second hydraulic lines are connected with each other;

a flow passage change-over device adapted to close the bypass passage during steering assisting under the action of the hydraulic pressure source and to open the bypass passage during non-steering assisting;

wherein a supply passage and a return passage are disposed in parallel with each other to form part of each of the first and second hydraulic lines, the supply passage and the return passage being connected to the hydraulic pressure source and to each of the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder,

wherein the flow passage change-over device is disposed in each of the first and second hydraulic lines, the flow passage change-over device including a valve member which is adapted to open or close each of the supply passage and the bypass passage in accordance with a pressure differential between pressure at side of the hydraulic pressure source and pressure at side of the hydraulic power cylinder in the hydraulic pressure line in which the flow passage change-over device is disposed,

wherein a differential pressure regulating valve is disposed in each of the return passages and adapted to allow hydraulic fluid to flow toward the hydraulic pressure source in a condition where pressure on side of the hydraulic power cylinder becomes higher a set pressure or higher than pressure on side of the hydraulic pressure source.

2. A power steering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a one-way valve is disposed in each of the supply passages downstream of the flow passage change-over device and adapted to allow hydraulic fluid to flow only in a direction from side of the hydraulic pressure source to side of the hydraulic power cylinder.

3. A power steering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a volume chamber is disposed in the bypass passage.

4. A power steering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a relief valve is disposed in a part of the hydraulic circuit which part includes a region of the hydraulic circuit upstream of the differential pressure regulating valve, and the bypass passage, the relief valve being adapted to release pressure in a condition where pressure within the part of the hydraulic circuit becomes a set level or higher.