Power steering apparatus

摘要

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a power steering motor assembly connected with the steerable vehicle wheels. A first pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine, to supply fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly. A second pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine. A valve connected with the power steering motor assembly and the second pump directs fluid flow from the second pump to at least one of the power steering motor assembly and reservoir during operation of both the first pump and the second pump. A pumping mechanism includes a first pumping area defining the first pump and a second pumping area defining the second pump. The first pumping area is smaller than the second pumping area.

主权项

1. An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels, said apparatus comprising:
a power steering motor assembly connected with the steerable vehicle wheels, the power steering motor assembly having a steering control valve with a fluid inlet and a power steering motor with first and second chambers, the steering control valve moving in response to rotation of an input shaft to control fluid flow to and from the first and second chambers of the power steering motor to move a piston of the power steering motor, the steering control valve directing fluid from the fluid inlet to one of the first and second chambers and directing fluid from another of the first and second chambers to a reservoir in response to rotation of the input shaft; a first pump connected in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the steering control valve of the power steering motor assembly and continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine, to continuously supply fluid under pressure to the fluid inlet of the steering control valve during operation of the engine; a second pump connected in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the steering control valve and continuously driven by the engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine; a first valve connected in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the steering control valve and the second pump, the first valve directing fluid flow from the second pump to at least one of the fluid inlet of the steering control valve and reservoir during operation of both the first pump and the second pump; and a fixed area control orifice located in a conduit conducting fluid from the first and second pumps to the fluid inlet of the steering control valve, a pressure at an upstream side of the fixed area control orifice urges the first valve to decrease the flow of fluid from the first and second pumps to the fluid inlet of the steering control valve and increase the flow of fluid from the first and second pumps to the reservoir, a pressure at a downstream side of the fixed area control orifice urges the first valve to increase the flow of fluid from the first and second pumps to the fluid inlet of the steering control valve and decrease the flow of fluid from the first and second pumps to the reservoir.