Electric assist steering system with alternator power source
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power steering apparatus comprising:
- power steering means for providing a steering force to a steering linkage in response to an applied electrical signal;
generating means operatively drivable by an engine for, when driven, generating an electrical signal;
sensing means for sensing operator applied steering torque; and
switching means connected to said generating means and to said power steering means for, in a first position, connecting said generating means to said power steering means to apply said electrical signal from said generating means thereto, and, in a second position, connecting said generating means to a storage battery, said switching means switching to said first and second positions in response to sensed steering torque.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power assist steering system in which electrical power to drive the electric assist motor is selectively provided from either the alternator or the battery depending upon the vehicle speed and applied steering torque. An electronic control unit controls the output voltage from the alternator by controlling current through the alternator field coil.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A power steering apparatus comprising:
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power steering means for providing a steering force to a steering linkage in response to an applied electrical signal; generating means operatively drivable by an engine for, when driven, generating an electrical signal; sensing means for sensing operator applied steering torque; and switching means connected to said generating means and to said power steering means for, in a first position, connecting said generating means to said power steering means to apply said electrical signal from said generating means thereto, and, in a second position, connecting said generating means to a storage battery, said switching means switching to said first and second positions in response to sensed steering torque. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power assist steering system for use in a vehicle having a steering wheel mechanically coupled through steering connection means to steerable wheels to assist an operator in accomplishing a steering maneuver, said system comprising:
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sensing means for sensing a vehicle operating parameter and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof; an alternator drivably connectable to the vehicle engine and including an output coil and a field coil, the output voltage from the output coil being directly related to the electrical current through said field coil; electronic control means connected to said sensing means and to said field coil for controlling the output voltage from said alternator in response to the signal generated by said sensing means; an electric assist motor connected to the steering connection means for, when actuated, applying a steering force to said steering connection means to provide the assist for the operator; and switching means connected to the output of the alternator and controlled by said electronic control means for switchably connecting the alternator output to the electric assist motor or to the vehicle battery responsive to the signal generated by said sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A steering apparatus for turning the steerable wheels of a vehicle upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, said apparatus comprising:
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means for mechanically coupling the vehicle steering wheel with the steerable wheels of the vehicle including, an input shaft connected to said steering wheel for rotation therewith, a pinion gear, a torsion member resiliently connecting said input shaft to said pinion gear, and a steering member having rack teeth thereon drivingly engaged by said pinion gear and connected to said steerable wheels of said vehicle, rotary motion of said pinion gear axially driving said steering member to turn said steerable wheels; torsion sensing means for producing an electric signal having a value which varies as a function of the amount of input torque applied to said steering wheel; speed sensing means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating an electric signal indicative thereof; an electric power assist motor drivably connected to at least one of said input shaft, said pinion gear or said steering member for, when actuated, assisting movement thereof, the amount of assist being directly related to applied electrical energy; an alternator drivably connectable to the vehicle engine and including a field coil and an output coil, for, when driven, outputting electrical energy from said output coil directly related to the electrical current through said field coil; electronic control means connected to said torsion sensing means, said speed sensing means, and connectable to said alternator field coil for generating an electrical control signal to said field coil responsive to said torque signal and said speed signal; first switching means for connecting electrical power across said electric power assist motor in a direction responsive to the direction of applied steering torque to the vehicle steering wheel; and second switching means connected to the output coil of said alternator, to said first switching means, to a storage battery of the vehicle and controlled by said electronic control means for selectively connecting the alternator output to the battery or to the first switching means in response to sensed torque and sensed vehicle speed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A steering apparatus for turning the steerable wheels of a vehicle upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, said apparatus comprising:
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means for mechanically coupling the vehicle steering wheel with the steerable wheels of the vehicle including, an input shaft connected to said steering wheel for rotation therewith, a pinion gear, a torsion member resiliently connecting said input shaft to said pinion gear, and a steering member having rack teeth thereon drivingly engaged by said pinion gear and connected to said steerable wheels of said vehicle, rotary motion of said pinion gear axially driving said steering member to turn said steerable wheels, torsion sensing means for producing an electric signal having a value which varies as a function of the amount of input torque applied to said steering wheel; speed sensing means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating an electric signal indicative thereof; an electric power assist motor drivably connected to at least one of said input shaft, said pinion gear of said steering member for, when actuated, assisting movement thereof, the amount of assist being functionally related to applied electrical energy; an alternator drivably connectable to the vehicle engine and including a field coil and an output coil, for, when driven, outputting electrical energy from said output coil as a function of the electrical current through said field coil; voltage regulator means operatively connectable to the output coil of the alternator and to the alternator field coil for controlling the alternator output voltage to a predetermined charging level; electronic control means connected to said torsion sensing means, said speed sensing means, and connectable to said alternator field coil for generating an electrical control signal to said field coil responsive to said torque signal and said speed signal; first switching means for connecting electrical power across said electrical power assist motor in a direction responsive to the direction of applied steering toque to the vehicle steering wheel; second switching means connected to the output coil of said alternator, to said first switching means, and to a storage battery of the vehicle and controlled by said electronic control means for selectively connecting the alternator output to the battery or to the first switching means in response to sensed torque and sensed vehicle speed; and third switching means connected to said alternator field coil, to said voltage regulator means and to said electronic control means for selectively connecting said alternator field coil to said voltage regulator means to said electronic control means in response to sensed torque and sensed vehicle speed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification