STEERING AND DIRECTING MECHANISM

• US 3,716,110 A
• Filed: 07/22/1970
• Issued: 02/13/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert G. Fonda
• Original Assignee: Albert G. Fonda
• Inventors: Fonda, Albert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paperner, Leslie J.
• Application Number:
  US05/057,120
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 180/79,79.2R 74/388PS
• US Class Current: 180/405
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/04 electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear

Abstract

A power drive means of the motion augmentation type is provided by means of actuation of a reaction element of a kinematic machine coupling directing and dirigible members, to effect differential motions thereof in response to selected effects of directing motion. Means adaptable to rack-and-pinion steering and means adaptable to worm-and-pitman-arm steering are disclosed. The approach is adaptable to either hydraulic or electrical actuation. Stability augmentation may also be provided from sensors of vehicle maneuvering, resulting in adaptive steering.

Claims

1. A steering and directing mechanism including a directing member and a dirigible member operable each in a selected mode, power drive means comprising a kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes and further comprising actuating means for the actuation of a selected reaction element of said kinematic machine to effect the substantial movement of either of said members with respect to the other, and power modulating means for controlling said actuating means, comprising at least one element responsive to a selected effect of the motion of said directing member in said selected mode.

2. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a lever.

3. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is an epicyclic train.

4. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a wedge.

5. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a rack and pinion.

6. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine comprises a pair of matingly threaded members with constraints whereby one of said pair is axially constrained by said actuable reaction element and one of said pair is torsionally constrained.

7. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine comprises a pair of matingly threaded members with constraints whereby one of said pair is torsionally constrained by said actuable reaction element and one of said pair is axially constrained.

8. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein a non-irreversible mechanism connects said directing member with said kinematic machine.

9. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said dirigible member is operable by an at least partial gear operable by a rack operable by said kinematic machine.

10. Mechanism as in claim 1, and a terrestrial vehicle including elements for changing the direction of motion of the vehicle in response to said motion of said dirigible member, wherein said directing member is a manually operable steering member.

11. Mechanism as in claim 10, wherein said elements for changing the direction of motion of the vehicle are the steerable front wheels of the vehicle and said steering membeR is a hand steering wheel.

12. Mechanism as in claim 10, wherein said power modulating means includes at least one element responsive to an effect of changing the direction of motion of the vehicle, for actuation of said power drive means to effect steering of said vehicle in opposition to said changes.

13. Mechanism as in claim 1, including means whereby one of said responsive elements of said power modulating means is responsive to the departure from a selected initial position of said directing member in said mode, for actuation of said power drive means to effect supplemental motion of said dirigible member from its corresponding initial position.

14. Mechanism as in claim 13, including means to effect greater supplemental motion per unit of said departure as said departure increases, through at least part of the range of motion of said directing member.

15. Mechanism as in claim 1, including means whereby one of said responsive elements is responsive to said movement of either of said members with respect to the other, for inducing counter-actuation of said power drive means, and means whereby said power drive means is highly responsive to the resulting sum of the selected effects.

16. Mechanism as in claim 1, including a second kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes, wherein at least one of said responsive elements is interposed in and operable by said second kinematic machine.

17. Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein said second kinematic machine tends to effect motion of said dirigible member, per unit of motion of said directing member, in excess of that tending to be effected by the first said kinematic machine in the absence of motion of said reaction element.

18. Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein said second kinematic machine tends to effect motion of said dirigible member, per unit of motion of said directing member, increasing with departure of selected elements of said kinematic machine from a selected initial relative position, through at least part of the range of said departure.

20. Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein the first said kinematic machine includes a manually rotatable first screw with first nut thereon engaged axially with a rack engaged with a pinion whereby said dirigible member is operable, said nut is torsionally operable by said actuating means, and wherein said second kinematic machine includes a first gear on the shaft of said screw, meshed with a second gear on the shaft of a second screw with a second nut thereon engaged axially with said rack, said responsive element is interposed between the shaft of said first screw and said first gear and is increasingly resistant to motion therebetween, and a slippage device is interposed in said second kinematic machine.

21. Mechanism as in claim 1, with means for the operation of at least one of said responsive elements through an interposed mechanical releif device.

22. Mechanism as in claim 21, wherein frictional slippage provides said releif.

23. Mechanism as in claim 21, and means whereby said responsive element becomes unresponsive when relief is provided by said relief device.

24. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is irreversible.

25. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means provides effort at least in part decreasingly diminishing with increase of actuation velocity.

26. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is fluid powered.

27. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is electrically powered.

28. Mechanism as in claim 27, using a motor at least in part series wound.

29. Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said aCtuating means is mechanically powered from a steadily rotating shaft.