Power assisted vehicle steering with variable damping - has combined vehicle speed and steering rate sensors providing optimum damping of driver feedback

摘要

A hydraulic servosystem (1) for the power assisted steering of a vehicle operates via a hydraulic control valve (6) mechanically connected by coupling (8) to the steering column (L) and permits a reactive feedback to the driver which is subject to variable damping. A damping factor related to the angular velocity of the column (L) during steering and to vehicle speed as measured by sensors (44,50) respectively is derived. Sensor (44,50) output signals are processed by computer (43,52) in conformity with a family of vehicle related response characteristics or a suitable computer algorithm and fed to damping regulator (47,48) to ensure optimum response. USE/ADVANTAGE - Promotes realistic and safe sense of feel to driver under all conditions of road surface from standstill to max. speed as result of dynamic sensing of intended rate of change of direction. Can be preset to suit vehicle type and condition.