Power steering apparatus.

摘要

A power steering apparatus for an automobile or other vehicle has a steering shaft comprising an input section 3 and an output section 4 connected by a torsion bar 5. A mechanism for detecting when a driver is imparting torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle comprises a potentiometer 15 having a resistive element 16 and a wiper arm 20, one of which is mounted on the output section and the other of which is mounted on the torsion bar so that the wiper arm will rotate with respect to the resistive element and the resistance of the potentiometer will change when the torsion bar 5 is rotated with respect to the output section 4. The potentiometer is electrically connected to preamplifier 22 mounted on the steering shaft, and the preamplifier is electrically connected to slip rings 29a through which its output can be supplied via stationary brushes 30 to a stationary control unit. The electrical output of the potentiometer is independent of the speed of rotation of the steering wheel.