Vehicle hydraulic servo-assisted steering with steering torque sensor - has distribution of fluid to servo-valve chambers adjusted in accordance with torque-dependent displacement of sleeve around torsion bar

摘要

The steering torque which governs the supply of hydraulic fluid to the chambers of the servo cylinder is measured by a sensor (4) of the axial displacement of a control sleeve (2) rotating coaxially about the pinion shaft (11) coupled resiliently to the steering shaft (3) by a torsion bar (9). The sleeve is secured to the rotor (10) by diametrically opposed pins (17) which are movable in angled passages (19). Fluid is pumped electrically through a port (13) to one or both of the chamber connections (14, 15). ADVANTAGE - The steering torque is measured by exploitation of the inherent elasticity of the torsion bar, with little structural alteration.