Power steering assembly
First Claim
1. A power steering assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a housing having an inner surface defining a chamber extending along an axis;
a steering rod disposed in said chamber and movable longitudinally along said axis;
a shoulder fixed to said steering rod with said shoulder having opposing sides;
a shaft supported by said housing and coupled to said steering rod for translating rotational movement of said shaft to said longitudinal movement of said steering rod; and
a first actuator disposed in said chamber on one of said sides of said shoulder and a second actuator disposed in said chamber on an opposing side of said shoulder with each actuator having an excitable material for pushing against said shoulder to move said steering rod longitudinally within said chamber.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides for a power steering assembly and method of actuation for assisting a driver in moving the steerable wheels of a vehicle. The power steering assembly includes a housing that defines a chamber. A steering rod is disposed in the chamber and is longitudinally moveable within the chamber. A shoulder is fixed to the steering rod and has opposing sides. A shaft is supported by the housing and engages the steering rod translating the rotational movement of the shaft into a longitudinal movement of the steering rod. A first actuator and second actuator are disposed in the chamber on opposing sides of the shoulder. The first and second actuators each have an excitable material that is controlled in a series of actuations to advance the actuators in a linear movement for pushing against the shoulder to move the steering rod longitudinally within the chamber.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power steering assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a housing having an inner surface defining a chamber extending along an axis; a steering rod disposed in said chamber and movable longitudinally along said axis; a shoulder fixed to said steering rod with said shoulder having opposing sides; a shaft supported by said housing and coupled to said steering rod for translating rotational movement of said shaft to said longitudinal movement of said steering rod; and a first actuator disposed in said chamber on one of said sides of said shoulder and a second actuator disposed in said chamber on an opposing side of said shoulder with each actuator having an excitable material for pushing against said shoulder to move said steering rod longitudinally within said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of actuating a power steering assembly in a vehicle having a housing and a steering rod with a shoulder and an actuator disposed on one side of the shoulder with the actuator having first and second excitable materials, said method comprising the steps of:
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energizing the second excitable material; extending the second excitable material due to the energizing of the second excitable material until the second excitable material engages the housing to axially hold the actuator in position; energizing the first excitable material; extending the first excitable material due to the energizing of the first excitable material until the first excitable material engages the shoulder; and continuing to extend the first excitable material to push the shoulder and steering rod axially relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification