Instrumented data acquisition system and steering wheel monitor for vehicle steering system
First Claim
1. An instrumented data acquisition system for monitoring performance of a power steering system of a mobile vehicle with an engine and a frame which includes a driver side wheel and a passenger side wheel each mounted on wheel spindles pivotably mounted to opposite ends of an axle through king pins, a driver operated steering wheel connected to a steering gear through an intermediate steering shaft, a driver side pitman arm functionally engaged to the steering gear so as to pivotably rotate upon intermediate steering shaft rotation and connected to a drag link in turn pivotably connected to a steering arm secured to the driver side wheel spindle to control movement of the driver side wheel, and a power steering reservoir engaged to a power steering fluid pump for supplying fluid to the steering gear, comprising:
- (a) a data collection computer means for collecting data input and displaying output data;
(b) a steering wheel rotation measuring assembly;
(c) a driver side pitman arm angle measuring device;
(d) a passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device; and
(e) a driver side wheel turn angle measuring device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus for monitoring and recording operational characteristics of heavy or medium duty vehicle power steering systems and a method of using same in testing the operation and response of a steering system in a heavy or medium duty truck including school buses. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of a data collection computer means for collecting data input and displaying output data, a steering wheel rotation measuring assembly, a driver side pitman arm angle measuring device, a passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device, and a driver side wheel turn angle measuring device. The apparatus is generally installed on a temporary basis for troubleshooting and analysis, however, the steering wheel rotation measuring assembly may be permanently installed on a vehicle to give the driver an accurate indication of steering wheel turns or an alarm when the wheel has been turned to its maximum value.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An instrumented data acquisition system for monitoring performance of a power steering system of a mobile vehicle with an engine and a frame which includes a driver side wheel and a passenger side wheel each mounted on wheel spindles pivotably mounted to opposite ends of an axle through king pins, a driver operated steering wheel connected to a steering gear through an intermediate steering shaft, a driver side pitman arm functionally engaged to the steering gear so as to pivotably rotate upon intermediate steering shaft rotation and connected to a drag link in turn pivotably connected to a steering arm secured to the driver side wheel spindle to control movement of the driver side wheel, and a power steering reservoir engaged to a power steering fluid pump for supplying fluid to the steering gear, comprising:
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(a) a data collection computer means for collecting data input and displaying output data; (b) a steering wheel rotation measuring assembly; (c) a driver side pitman arm angle measuring device; (d) a passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device; and (e) a driver side wheel turn angle measuring device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of monitoring performance of a power steering system of a mobile vehicle with an engine and a frame which includes a driver side wheel and a passenger side wheel each mounted on wheel spindles pivotably mounted to opposite ends of an axle through king pins, a driver operated steering wheel connected to a steering gear through an intermediate steering shaft, a driver side pitman arm functionally engaged to the steering gear so as to pivotably rotate upon intermediate steering shaft rotation and connected to a drag link in turn pivotably connected to a steering arm secured to the driver side wheel spindle to control movement of the driver side wheel, and a power steering reservoir engaged to a power steering fluid pump for supplying fluid to the steering gear, comprising the steps of:
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(a) installing an instrumented data acquisition system, comprising the steps of; (i) installing a steering wheel rotation measuring assembly; (ii) installing a driver side pitman arm angle measuring device; (iii) installing a passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device; (iv) installing a driver side wheel turn angle measuring device; and (v) engaging a data collection computer means for collecting input data from and displaying output data for said steering wheel rotation measuring assembly, said driver side pitman arm angle measuring device, said passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device, and said driver side wheel turn angle measuring device; (b) measuring said input data with said data collection computer means; and (c) analyzing output data from said data collection computer means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification