Electro-hydraulic power steering

摘要

A hydraulic steering assist assembly is provided for a vehicle with a mechanical steering assembly operable by a user to steer the vehicle. The hydraulic steering assist assembly includes a hydraulic actuator adapted to be coupled to the mechanical steering assembly and has a first side and a second side. A bi-directional hydraulic pump is placed in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic steering assist assembly further includes a valve in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator, and a control system for controlling the bi-directional hydraulic pump and the valve. The bi-directional hydraulic pump provides a pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator, which applies a force on the mechanical steering assembly to assist steering the vehicle. The valve can act as a steering damper.

主权项

1. A hydraulic steering assist assembly for a vehicle having a mechanical steering assembly operable by a user to steer the vehicle, the hydraulic steering assist assembly comprising:
a hydraulic actuator adapted to be coupled to the mechanical steering assembly, the hydraulic actuator having a first side and a second side; a bi-directional hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator; a valve in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator; a control system for controlling the bi-directional hydraulic pump and the valve, wherein the bi-directional hydraulic pump provides a pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator, which applies a force on the mechanical steering assembly to assist steering the vehicle; and a variable orifice in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator; wherein the control system controls the variable orifice to meter the amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the variable orifice.