Power steering system

• US 6,886,657 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yokota, Tadaharu, Sudo, Yukio, Kurata, Masakazu, Hiramoto, Michiya
• Primary Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US10/389,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20030178241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 180/441, 180/442, 180/443, 180/444, 604/76, 604/73, 914/35
• US Class Current: 180/422
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/06 fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/062 Details, component parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/065 characterised by specially adapted means for varying pressurised fluid supply based on need, e.g. on-demand, variable assist
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20561 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3051 Cross-check valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 7/006 Rotary pump input

Abstract

A power steering system for a vehicle, comprises a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism. A hydraulic power cylinder is provided for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism. A reversible pump is provided having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with two hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the two hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressures. A driving device is provided for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate. A differential pressure regulating valve is disposed in the hydraulic circuit to maintain pressure at least in the first and second hydraulic lines at a level of atmospheric pressure or higher in an inoperative condition of the reversible pump.

Claims

1. A power steering system comprising:

a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism;

a hydraulic power cylinder for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism, the hydraulic power cylinder having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers;

a reversible pump having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressures;

a driving device for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate;

a hydraulic circuit including the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, the first hydraulic line, the second hydraulic line, and the reversible pump; and

a differential pressure regulating valve disposed in the hydraulic circuit to maintain pressure at least in the first and second hydraulic lines at a level of atmospheric pressure or higher in an inoperative condition of the reversible pump.

2. A power steering system comprising:

a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism;

a hydraulic power cylinder for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism, the hydraulic power cylinder having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers;

a reversible pump having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressures;

a driving device for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate;

first and second communication passages for connecting a hydraulic circuit with a reservoir tank, the hydraulic circuit including the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, the first hydraulic line, the second hydraulic line, and the reversible pump;

a one-way valve disposed in the first communication passage to allow hydraulic fluid to flow in a direction from side of the reservoir tank to side of the hydraulic circuit;

an orifice disposed in the second communication passage; and

a differential pressure regulating valve disposed in a part of the second communication passage between the orifice and the reservoir tank to allow hydraulic fluid to flow in a direction from the side of the hydraulic circuit to the side of the reservoir tank.

3. A power steering system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second communication passage is formed in a condition to establish communication between a pump chamber of the reversible pump and the reservoir tank, wherein the orifice is constituted by sliding clearances formed in an operating section of the reversible pump.

4. A power steering system comprising:

a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism;

a hydraulic power cylinder for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism, the hydraulic power cylinder having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers;

a reversible pump having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressure;

a driving device for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate;

a hydraulic circuit including the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, the first hydraulic line, the second hydraulic line, and the reversible pump; and

a differential pressure regulating valve disposed in the hydraulic circuit to maintain pressure at least in the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder at a level of atmospheric pressure or higher in an inoperative condition of the reversible pump.

5. A power steering system comprising:

a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism;

a hydraulic power cylinder for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism, the hydraulic power cylinder having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers;

a reversible pump having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressure;

a driving device for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate;

first and second communication passages for connecting a hydraulic circuit with a reservoir tank, the hydraulic circuit including the first and second hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, the first hydraulic line, the second hydraulic line, and the reversible pump;

a one-way valve disposed in the first communication passage to allow hydraulic fluid to flow in a direction from a side of the reservoir tank to a side of the hydraulic circuit; and

a differential pressure regulating valve disposed in the second communication passage to allow hydraulic fluid to flow in a direction from the side of the hydraulic circuit to the side of reservoir tank.