Locking mechanism for a rear wheel steering system
First Claim
1. A steering gear for an automotive vehicle comprising a linear electric motor electrically connected to a power source within said vehicle, said motor comprising:
- a housing enclosing a stator;
a plunger operative to move reciprocally within said stator, said plunger being linked to an axle set of roadwheels;
a locking member meshingly engageable with said plunger; and
means for driving said locking member into meshing engagement with said plunger upon interruption of electrical power to said linear motor to prevent said plunger from reciprocally moving within said stator.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering gear for an automotive vehicle comprises a linear electric motor electrically connected to a power source within the vehicle. The motor includes a housing, a plunger operative to move reciprocally within a stator, the plunger being linked to an axle set of roadwheels. The motor further includes a locking member meshingly engageable with the plunger and mechanism means for driving the locking member into meshing engagement with the plunger so that upon interruption of electrical power to the motor, a locking member engages the plunger to prevent the plunger from reciprocally moving within the stator.
21 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A steering gear for an automotive vehicle comprising a linear electric motor electrically connected to a power source within said vehicle, said motor comprising:
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a housing enclosing a stator; a plunger operative to move reciprocally within said stator, said plunger being linked to an axle set of roadwheels; a locking member meshingly engageable with said plunger; and means for driving said locking member into meshing engagement with said plunger upon interruption of electrical power to said linear motor to prevent said plunger from reciprocally moving within said stator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A steering system for steering the rear roadwheels of an automotive vehicle, said system including a linear electric motor electrically connected to a power source within said vehicle, said motor comprising:
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a housing enclosing a stator; a plunger fabricated from a non-magnetic responsive material and operative to move reciprocally within a stator, said plunger being linked to an axle set of roadwheels and having said set of geared teeth disposed thereon; a locking member meshingly engageable with said plunger, said locking member including a plurality of geared teeth adapted to engage said set of geared teeth of said plunger; and means for driving said locking member into meshing engagement with said plunger upon interruption of electrical power to said linear motor, said means comprising a coil of current-carrying wire electrically connected to said power source and a spring interposed between said locking member and said coil such that in the event that electrical power is disconnected from said coil, said spring urges said locking member into engagement with said plunger to prevent said plunger from reciprocally moving within said stator.
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13. A steering system for steering the rear roadwheels of an automotive vehicle, said system including a linear electric motor electrically connected to a power source within said vehicle, said motor comprising:
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a housing enclosing a stator; a plunger fabricated from a magnetic responsive material and operative to move reciprocally within said stator, said plunger being linked to an axle set of roadwheels and having a set of geared teeth disposed thereon; a locking member meshingly engageable with said plunger, said locking member comprising a permanent magnet having a plurality of geared teeth integral therewith for meshing engagement with said set of geared teeth of said plunger; and means for driving said locking member into meshing engagement with said plunger upon interruption of electrical power to said linear motor, said means comprising a coil of current-carrying wire electrically connected to said power source disposed within said stator such that said coil, under a current from said power source, retracts said locking member from said plunger and in the event that electrical power is disconnected from said coil, said locking member is attracted to said magnetic responsive plunger to lock said plunger from reciprocal movement within said stator.
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Specification