lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

US005147007A

United States Patent [191

[11]
[45]

Kahrs et al.
[54] HYDRAULICALLY ASSISTED STEERING
SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

[75] Inventors: Manfred Kahrs, Wiesbaden; Lothar

Kunze, Hofheim-Langehain; Joachim
Baier, Hanau; Gerhard Kunz, Linden;

[58]

Field of Search .............. .. 180/148, 132; 280/661,

280/91
_

[56]

499,383

[22] PCT Filed:

Sep. 14, 1989

[86] PCT No.:

371 Date:
102(e) Date:

PCT/EP89/01069
Jun. 1, 1990
Jun. 1, 1990

[87] PCT Pub. No.: WO90/03908

PCT Pub. Date: Apr. 19, 1990

280/91

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Germany

[21] Appl. No:

Sep. 15, 1992

us. c1. .................................. .. 180/132; 180/148;

Main; Wilhelm Beer, Ruesselsheim;

Hans-G. Krines, Usingen; Gerhardt
Schudt, Hanau, all of Fed. Rep. of
Alfred Teves GmbH, Frankfurt Am
Main, Fed. Rep. of Germany

5,147,007

[52]

Bernhard Moeller, Frankfurt am

[73] Assignee:

Patent Number:
Date of Patent:

4,634,135

1/1987

Nakata et a1. ..................... .. 180/148

4,646,868

3/1987

4,694,925

9/1987

Rosell ....... ..
Roberts ........ ..

4,823,898
4,856,608

4/1989
8/1989 Adams
Ogura et.....
a1...

4,981,189

1/1991

.. 180/148

Wilder ............................... .. 180/148

Primary ExaminerMitchell J. Hill

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert P. Seitter; J. Gordon
Lewis

[57]

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic power steering system for automotive ve

hicles wherein the hydraulic power assistance takes
place only above a predetermined steering power. A
power cylinder (6) is coupled to a mechanical steering
assembly, a pump (19, 36), and a control valve (12) In
order to achieve safety in operation and a simple ar
rangement of the power steering system, a slide of a

component (2) of the mechanical steering assembly is

[30]

Foreign Application Priority Data

Oct. 4, 1988 [DE]

Dec. 24, 1988 [DE]
Aug. 28, 1989 [DE]
[51]

Fed. Rep. of Germany ..... .. 3833637

Fed. Rep. of Germany ..... .. 3843893
Fed. Rep. of Germany ..... .. 3928376

Int. Cl.5 ............................................. .. B62D 5/06

slidable with respect to the vehicle body. The slide is

effected by the steering power overcoming a prestress
ing power, serves for the mechanical actuation of the
control valve (12).

28 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets

US. Patent

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Sheet 1 of 14

5,147,007

Z5

HYDRAULIC
BRAKE
SYSTEM
SUPPLY
1jIrFJI71/1IIr1lI/7

FIG-1

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FIG-5

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QIOE

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Sheet 5 of 14

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FIG-5

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Sheet 6 of 14

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72 w

70

7/

Fl>

<l-F
75

75

FIG-6

7472 _____>g_
'\

'77

:73
y

FIG-8

__

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Sheet 7 0f 14

FIG-9

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WE

Sheet 8 of 14

L455?!

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Sheet 9 of 14

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Sheet 10 of 14

FIG-12

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"III

FIG ~17

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Sheet 14 of 14

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the housing of the control valve or against a component

being rigidly coupled to the latter. By this embodiment,

a completely preassembled, oil-?lled and functionally
tested hydraulic unit is provided which is ready for

HYDRAULICALLY ASSISTED STEERING

SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 operation and does not require measures other than to
be mounted a the vehicle with simple assembly opera
The present present invention relates to a hydraulic
tions and to be connected thereto.
power steering system for automotive vehicles includ
One embodiment of the present invention which pro
ing a power cylinder coupled to a mechanical steering
vides for the steering gear to be rigidly coupled to the
assembly, a pump and a control valve.
vehicle body entails that one section of the steering axle
A hydraulic power steering system of this type is
is slidably supported and that the slide actuates the
known from published German patent application No.
control valves in response to a force component which
28 39 121. This known power steering system is com
results from the steering power. Steering gears particu
prised of a measured variable transmitter depending on
larly suited to generate components of force of reaction
the angle of rotation. The transmitter serves as a sensor
for the hand power applied to the steering wheel. The
of this kind are either designed as helical rack-and-pin
output signal is transmitted to an electronic control
ion gears or as ball-type planetary gearings. In both
module which controls the solenoid valves which are
designs, a component of the force of reaction being
located between the pump and the power cylinder. In
proportional to the steering power as to size and direc
addition to their sophisticated and cost-intensive ar
tion is generated in the steering axle which is utilized to

rangements, these known power steering systems have

the disadvantage that the steering assembly may be
come locked in the event of a defect of the electronic

in?uence the control valve preferably integrated in the

steering axle or in the steering axle housing in this case.
Depending on the specific type of application, different

control module. Although this risk could be avoided by

the redundant design of the electronic control system,

designs of the spring elements are possible for the pur

pose of generating the prestressing force which is

the resulting increased sophistication would neverthe

less result in a further disadvantage.

brought to bear on the slidable component.

According to a further embodiment which is particu

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to

provide a hydraulic power steering system for automo
tive vehicles of the type described above which is dis
tinguished by a simple arrangement and which ensures

larly advantageous in regard to road behavior, the pre

stressing is effected by means of a captivated spring
element. In this manner, a prestressing also exists in the
neutral position. This means that the control valve is

safety in operation. In particular, the hydraulic power

actuated only starting from a minimum steering power,

assistance dependent on demand is controlled without

as a result of which provision a start of the hydraulic

sophisticated electronic modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is envis
aged that one of two valve elements slidable relative to
each other is secured to the slidable component, while

the other valve element is pivoted on the vehicle body.

In this way, the control valve is actuated directly start
ing from a steering power determined by the prestress
ing power. The power ?ux is transmitted through a

very restricted number of components.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the steering gear of the mechanical steering
assembly is elastically slidably supported at the vehicle.

power assistance is, for example, avoided in the event of

35

steering corrections which result from the impact of

lateral wind at elevated speeds, unbalances of a wheel
or wheels or the like. Without this minimum steering

power threshold, an unstable oscillation of the steering

action would be possible by an alternating switching-in

of the hydraulic power assistance and countersteering
on the part of the driver. Since the energy supply of the
hydraulic unit takes place exclusively in the event of a
demand for power assistance, it is provided that an
electric switch switching the pump is actuatable by the
45 control element or spring element. In an advantageous

embodiment of the present invention, the control valve

is designed as a 3/ 3-way valve in the shape of a longitu

The hydraulic unit, with at least one of two valve ele

dinal slide valve. Alternatively, a valve designed as a

ments being slidable relative to each other, is rigidly

double-seated valve is suitable for use in the hydraulic

power steering system, because in that case a simple
pivoting of the control element on the vehicle body is

secured to the steering gear. The other valve element is

coupled to the vehicle body. This embodiment allows
for the arrangement of an element generating the pre
stressing power both between the vehicle body and one

possible.
A particularly simple con?guration of the inventive

power steering system is attained if and when a revers

valve element and between the two valve elements A
highly effective silencing is attained by an elastic con 55 ible pump is provided whose sense of rotation depends
on the sense of steering. In this con?guration, the con
nection between the vehicle body and the steering gear,
trol element of the control valve actuates a switch hav
the hydraulic unit being rigidly coupled to the steering
ing three switching positions. An embodiment of the
gear.
invention in which the slidable component of the me
In order to obtain an integrated hydraulic unit as

compact as possible and comprising any components

required for control, it is advantageous when the steer

chanical steering assembly is slidable only at a limited

extent is particularly advantageous since only a deter

ing gear is supported at the vehicle body so as to be

slidable in the transverse axis of the vehicle. This is

mined part of the steering power takes support through

the control valve in this case. Another embodiment of

the present invention is distinguished by the control

particularly advantageous when the housing of the con
trol valve is rigidly coupled to the steering gear and 65 valve being elastically centered, the centering elastic
arrangement being at least partly located in the power
when the control element is coupled to the vehicle and
is slidable within the housing of the control valve and is

?ux of the steering power in this context. Owing to this

elastically prestressed in both sliding directions against

provision, the centering springs of the control valve

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may, for example, serve for the mechanical steering by

ment of this invention can be used wherein the internal

adequately dimensioning the prestressing of the slidable

component, the prestressing power again forming the

ring of the roller bearing is supported axially slidably on

the driving pinion, which is coupled to the control

threshold value at which the hydraulic boosting will be

activated.
A particularly low-cost and compact design is

valve, and is acted upon on either frontal end by elastic

means, and wherein the external ring of the bearing is

axially ?xed in the housing.

achieved for the power steering system in accordance

with the present invention in that the elastic arrange

In hydraulic power steering systems of this type, it is

a particular advantage if the elastic application causes a

preloading force to develop in the zero position of the

ment is comprised of at least one spring taking support
at two support plates. The support plates are prestressed 0 steering system, that is, it essentially forms a power
threshold. This can be achieved in particular by the use
against two stops of the housing of the control valve
located at a distance from each other and stop surfaces
of captivated spring elements. Therefore, in a preferred
of equal distance are provided at the control element of
embodiment of the present invention, the application of
the frontal ends of the bearings of the driving shaft is
the control valve by means of which force is applied on
the associated support plate in a direction contrasting t. . 5 performed by way of spacers which are movable to abut
on a stop, with the distance of the stops corresponding
that of the prestressing power.
to the width of the slidable bearing ring. As a result of
In order to ensure the hydraulic fluid supply also
these arrangements, a particularly simple centering of
with a pump having a low power consumption in the

presence of elevated steering speeds and high hydraulic

the control valve is realized.

In another embodiment of the present invention the

fluid demand, it is an advantage if an accumulator is

interposed between the pump and the control valve. In
order to avoid an undesired discharge of the accumula
tor due to leakages at the control valve, a pilot valve is

end, it is arranged that the driving pinion coupled to the

provided in a preferred embodiment of the present in

control valve is helically geared, that at least one por

vention between the accumulator and the control valve.

When the hydraulic power steering system is run

tion of the steering axle is rotatably but axially ?xedly

supported in the steering gear, and in that the driving

with brake ?uid as a pressure fluid, then an energy

pinion is axially slidably supported in the portion of the

supply can be provided by the pump of a hydraulic

brake unit without segregation of the ?uids.
In another particularly favorable embodiment of the

steering axle and biassed in both axial directions of the

steering axle end projecting from the steering gear

housing does not perform an axial movement. To this

motion.
To prevent friction affects on the response behavior
of the hydraulic auxiliary power, in the area of the point

present invention, the mechanical steering assembly is

of support of the driving pinion in the steering axle

portion, both in the journal pin of the driving pinion and

arranged as a rack~and~pinion steering system with a

driving pinion coupled to the steering axle and with a

rack, wherein the torque transmission from the steering
axle onto the driving pinion is effected by way of at
least one pin which engages into radially extending
recesses of both the driving pinion and the steering axle.

in the associated bearing area of the portion of the steer

ing axle, at least one axially extending groove advanta

geously is provided, into which at least one spherical
carrier element respectively is inserted
A particularly favorable embodiment of the present
invention is obtained if the control valve is connected
coaxially with the driving pinion and serves to support

One of these radial recesses is designed as a coulisse

type guide extending transversely relative to the radial

plane, and the steering axle supported on the driving

the driving pinion in the housing of the steering gear.

pinion in an axially slidable and biassed manner and is

connected with the control valve. As a result a power

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

steering system is accomplished which is characterized

by a compact and straight-forward design, yet requires

The functioning and further advantageous features of

only a minimum of modi?cations to the component 45 the present invention will now be described in the fol
parts of the mechanical steering gear, while most gear
lowing detailed description made with reference to the
parts of a steering gear provided for use on the purely
accompanying drawing wherein:
mechanical steering assembly are maintained in the
FIG. 1 shows a ?rst embodiment of the invention;
power steering system.
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention
This affords the possibility of obtaining an add-on
in the rest position or in the event of the steering mecha

hydraulic power steering system which involves very

little modi?cation to the existing mechanical steering
assembly. This solution is especially suitable for rack

nism being operated without power assistance;

FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the inven
tion in the switching position for an operation of the

and-pinion steering systems in which the driving pinion

is not helically geared.

steering system with power assistance;

55

FIG. 4 is a representation with several sections of the

integrated hydraulic unit;

In a power steering system comprising a helically

geared driving pinion, a simple solution which involves

FIG. 5 shows a cross section through an embodiment

only very few modi?cations of the steering gear can be

of the inventive spring element in the shape of a capti

obtained wherein the driving pinion is supported in the

housing of the steering gear axially slidably by means of

vated spring and through the control valve;

at least one roller bearing, wherein the external ring of

element according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show sections through a spring

the roller bearing is axially slidably supported in the

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with a

housing and is acted upon by elastic means on either

control valve coupled to the steering axle through the

frontal ends, and wherein the internal bearing ring is

axially ?xed on the driving pinion, with the driving
pinion being coupled to the control valve.
If it is essentially impossible to modify the support of
the driving pinion in the area of the housing, an embodi

spring element;
65

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with

accumulator and centrally open control valve;

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention with

centrally closed control valve;

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FIG. 12 shows a diagram of forces useful in explain

ing features of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment;
FIGS. 14 to 16 show each an enlarged representation
of a detail of FIG. 13;
FIGS. 17 to 18 show still further embodiments of this

invention and,
FIG. 19 shows a lateral partial view of the embodi
ment according to FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hydraulic power steering system according to

FIG. 1 is a mechanical steering assembly comprising a
steering axle 1, a steering gear 2, and a steering tie rod
3. The steering tie rods are pivoted on steering arms of

the wheel suspension (not shown). The steering gear is

vehicle steering axis. Since the whole hydraulic unit, in

particular the housing 11 of the control valve 12, is
rigidly coupled to the steering gear 2, while the control
slide valve 13 is pivoted in a point being rigid with the
vehicle body, a slide of the housing 11 and of the con
trol slide valve 13 relative to each other will occur

starting from a steering power which exceeds the pre

stressing of the associated spring 14. By this relative
slide the electric motor driving the pump will be
10 switched in, and, moreover, the control valve 12 will be

brought into a switching position depending on the

steering direction, in which position the power piston 8

is pressurizable by the pump pressure according to its
active cross-sectional areas.

As long as the pump 19 is switched in, the power

chamber 10 will remain pressurized, so that in the event
of a switching position of the control valve 12 in which
the power chamber 9 is in connection with the tank 18,
a direction of motion of the power piston 8 will result in

bolted or screwed by means of two clamps 4 and high

elasticity elements to the vehicle body 5. The high-elas
ticity suspension of the steering gear 2 permits a certain
20 which the piston rod 7 is slid into the power cylinder 6.
slidability in the transverse direction of the vehicle.
The power cylinder 6 is rigidly bolted or screwed to
When, on the other hand, both the power chamber 10
the housing of the steering gear 2, while the piston rod
and the power chamber 9 undergo the pump pressure,
7 is rigidly coupled to the steering tie rod 3. At the other
then the piston rod 7 will be slid out of the power cylin
der 6. If during or after a steering motion the steering
end of the piston rod 7, there is a power piston 8 which
divides the power chambers 9 and 10 from each other 25 power exerted at the steering tie rod decreases to a
within the power cylinder 6. The housing 11 of the
value which is sufficient to overcome the prestressing of
control valve 12 is rigidly coupled to the power cylin
the associated spring 14, the control valve 12 will be

der 6, respectively to the steering gear. Within the hous

ing 11, the slidably arranged control slide valve 13 is
prestressed against the housing in either direction of
slide by means of two springs 14 having equal spring
force, and is centered in the rest position.
The control valve 12 is arranged in the shape of a
3/3-way valve, one connection being tied through the

link 15 to the power chamber 9 of the power cylinder 6,

while the other two connections are tied through the
links 16 and 17 to the tank 18, respectively to the deliv
ery connection of the pump 19. The power cylinder 6 is

restored into its position of rest, whereby the pump is

switched off and the power chambers 9 and 10 are inter
connected to each other and connected to the tank 18

again.
In the event of a steering operation without power
assistance, the hydraulic ?uid will be transferred be
tween the two power chambers without any pressure,

the differential ?uid volume resulting from the volume

of the piston rod being aspirated from the tank or dis

charged into the tank depending on the steering direc

tion. This applies both in case the manually exerted
configurated in the shape of a differential cylinder, the
steering power is very low and in case of failure of the
power chamber 9 being associated with the larger pres 40 pump or of the electric energy supply of the driving
motor.
surizing surface at the power piston, whereas the cross
sectional area of the piston being associated with the
The embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3 shows
an arrangement of the power cylinder 6 in the shape of
power chamber 10 is half the size of the described pres

surizing surface. From the intersection 20 of the link 17,

a synchronous cylinder. The mechanical part of the

steering system is not illustrated in these two Figures.

Like reference numerals are assigned to like elements in
of the power cylinder 6. Between the links 16 and 17,
two links are provided with an intake valve 22 being
all three Figures. The part of the steering system not
located in one of them and a pressure relief valve 23 in
shown in the drawing corresponds to the arrangement
the other one. A ?lter element is arranged in the link
of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the rest position is illustrated
between the tank 18 and the pump 19 driven by an 50 which comes about when the steering system is not
electric motor. The electric drive of the pump 19 is
actuated or when the steering system is actuated with a
actuated by the electric switch 24 through a relay 25.
very low steering power. The control slide valve 13
The switch is actuated by the slide of the control slide
which is sealedly guided within the housing 11 in a
valve 13 out of the position of rest. The control slide
slidable way is furnished with a control groove by
valve 13 is pivoted on a point rigid with the vehicle by
which the connection of the ducts 30 and 31 to the tank

a hydraulic ?uid line 21 leads to the power chamber 10

means of a reaction rod 26.

18 is controllable. By-passing the control slide valve 13,

As long as the steering system is not actuated or is

actuated with a very low hand power, the hydraulic

the ducts 30 and 31 are connected to the tank 18

through the non-return valves 32 and 33. In this con?g

power steering system is in the position of rest shown in
uration, non-return valves 32 and 33 are arranged such
the drawing. In this position, the pump 19 is switched 60 that they block the ?ow direction from the associated
off by the electric switch 24. The power chambers 9 and
duct to the tank 18. The duct 30 is connected to the
10 are interconnected and connected to the tank hy
hydraulic ?uid link 34 which is provided between the
draulically. A more elevated steering power is required
reversible pump 36 and the power chamber 9. The duct
when the steering assembly is operated, for example,
31 is connected to the hydraulic ?uid link 35 between
while the vehicle is at rest or at very low speeds. In that 65 the power chamber 10 and the reversible pump 36. The

case, the steering gear 2 will slide according to the

steering direction within its elastic suspension at the

tank 18 is integrated in the housing 11.

The control slide valve 13 presenting a plurality of

vehicle body in a direction which is transverse to the

steps is guided by the centering chamber 38 arranged in

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allows adjustment in such a manner as to create freedom

an electric switch 24 is located which is connected to

one end of control slide valve 13 and which switches
the electric motor driving the pump. At the other end of

for play between the rack and the driving pinion. On the
left side when viewed in the drawing, the rack projects
out of the housing of the steering gear 2. The piston rod

the control slide valve 13 there is the pivotal point 37

which is coupled to the vehicle body.
The stepped centering chamber 38 presents two stops

7 and the two steering tie rods 3 are ?anged to that

projecting end (not shown in the drawing). The steering

tie rod illustrated in FIG. 4 is coupled to the steering
arm of the left front wheel. The steering gear 2 is cou

39 and 40 at each of which one of the two associated

supporting plates 41 and 42 takes support which are

subject to the pressure exerted by the compression

spring 43 being arranged between the two supporting
plates. On either side of the supporting plates 41, 42,

ing apparatus 54, a thrust member acting on the rack

the housing 11. At the one end of centering chamber 38

0 pled to the vehicle body such as to be elastically slidable

two steps are provided at the control slide valve is

guided by the supporting plates whose stop surfaces 44,

45 facing said supporting plates are disposed at the same
distance from each other as the stops 39 and 40. As long
as the supporting plates 41 and 42 are abutted against
the associated stops 39, 40 the control valve, respec

tively, the control groove will be in the position of rest

in which the pump is switched off. Without power

assistance the hydraulic ?uid will be displaced between

in transverse direction. On the contrary, the hydraulic

unit is rigidly coupled to the housing of the steering
gear 2.

The hydraulic unit is furnished with a radial piston

pump 52 driven by an electric motor 51, which is incor

porated in the intermediate ?ange 55 in the shape of a

pre-assembled pump insert and which delivers hydrau
lic ?uid in prior-art manner through a stationary control
spigot from the tank 18 into a connecting bore (not
shown in the drawing) which is provided in the inter
mediate ?ange 55 and is coupled to the control valve 12

the two power chambers without pressure during this

time.
The mode of functioning of the second inventive

and to the power chamber 10. The housing 11 of the

control valve 12 is ?xed in the intermediate ?ange 55.

a determined value, the control slide valve will be slid in

one or the other direction depending on the steering

to the vehicle body by means of the screw 57.

direction, against the prestressing force of the spring 43.

ment as per FIG. 4 corresponds to that which is illus

One switching position is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this

switching mode, the power piston 8 according to the
illustration in FIG. 3 is slid to the right. In accordance

trated diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Accordingly, ducts

not shown in the drawing lead from the control valve

As is illustrated more clearly by FIG. 5, the control

embodiment of the present invention corresponds to 25 slide valve 13 is subject to the action of helical springs
56 from one front side, which keep it in abutment
that of the embodiment described with reference to
against the reaction rod 26. The reaction rod 26 is ?xed
FIG. 1. As soon as the steering power applied exceeds

with the steering power applied, the housing 11 coupled

to the elastically suspended steering gear 2 will slide to
the left, while the control slide valve will maintain its
position due to its being rigidly pivoted on the vehicle.

In principle, the method of operation of the embodi

12 to one each of the power chambers 9, 10. The tank 18

in which a strainer 53 is provided is limited by a com
pensating cup 58 which constantly ensures a compensa
tion of volume, as a result of which it is ensured that the
pump does not aspirate any air. Compensating cup 58 is

As a consequence of the relative motion between the

control slide valve 13 and the housing 11, the electric

required since this design represents a closed hydraulic

reversible pump 36 is switched into the other sense of

rotation so that it delivers into the power chamber 9.
Also the switching of the ducts 30, 31 will so be in
verted. Alternatively, it will of course be possible to 60

control slide valve 13 is furnished with a stepped annu

lar groove 64 by which the control edges are formed. A
smooth switching characteristic is achieved due to the

couple the control slide valve 13 to the slidable steering

64.
The front side of the control slide valve 13 located

system. A further particular feature of the embodiment

switch 24 will be actuated, whereby the reversible 40 according to FIG. 4 is provided by the way in which
the prestressing is brought about of the reaction rod 26,
pump 36 will be driven in a sense of rotation by which
respectively of the control slide valve 13. This will be
it conveys into the hydraulic ?uid link 35 and, thus, into
explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 5 which
the power chamber 10. The duct 31 is separated from
shows an upscaled detail of FIG. 4.
the tank 18 in this switching position, while the duct 30
The housing 11 of the control valve 12 which is
and, consequently, the power chamber 9 are connected 45
sealedly secured within the intermediate ?ange 55 pres
to the tank 18. The volume of hydraulic ?uid displaced
ents three control bores 59, 60, 61 being staggered in
from the power chamber 9 is fed to the tank 18 over the
axial and in radial direction. According to the connect
forementioned connection. If the pump 36 should meet
ing diagram shown in FIG. 1, the control bore 59 is
with a failure in an operating condition of this kind, then
connected to the delivery side of the radial piston pump
the hydraulic ?uid would have to be displaced out of
and to the power chamber 10 by associated ducts in the
the power chamber 9 without power assistance, that is,
intermediate ?ange. The control bore 60 leads to the
only by hand power into the tank 18, while the power
power chamber 9, while the control bore 61 is con
chamber 10 may aspirate hydraulic ?uid from the tank
nected to the tank 18. The chamber 63 in which the
18 through the non-return valve 33.
When the steering direction is inverted, the housing 55 helical springs 56 are arranged also is connected to the
tank through the groove 62 in the housing 11. The
11 is slid in the other direction, as a result of which the

radially outwardly extending step of the annular groove

gear 2 and to ?x the housing 11 to the vehicle.

opposite the chamber 63 is in abutment against the out
FIG. 4 shows a particularly compact arrangement of
wardly bulged head portion 65 of the reaction rod 26.
the invention arranged as an integrated unit around the
steering gear 2. Steering gear 2 is designed as a rack 65 The reaction rod 26 is rigidly coupled to the vehicle
body by means of the screw 57. Due to the screw 57
and-pinion gear, the driving pinion coupled to the steer
being secured to the reaction rod 26 through a ball
ing axle being arranged within the housing of the steer

ing gear and engaging the rack. By means of an adjust

shaped bushing 66, the angle between the screw 57 and

5,147,007

10

the reaction rod 26 is variable, as a result of which

stiffness in transverse direction e obtains the curve i

canting or clamping is avoided. The bushing 66 is re

tained in a coupling element 67 which is screwed onto
the threaded section 68 of the reaction rod 26. This

Upon reaching the maximum sliding distance f of the

provision permits adapting the length to the mounting

conditions. Upon the adjustment, the coupling element
67 is secured by a counter nut. The adjusting nut 69 also
is screwed onto the threaded section 68. By means of

adjusting nut 69, the prestressing of the damping ele

ment 50 is adjusted which is located between the former
and the head portion 65. The spring element 50 is com

posed of the elastomeric block 70 of the plates 72, 72, of

the elastic sections 73, and of the two housing parts 74,
75. The arrangement of the spring element 50 is illus

which indicates the power to be applied by the driver.

steering gear, the muscle power which needs to be
applied by the driver will remain constant. If the power
which needs to be applied by the driver is to be reduced,
then this can, for instance, be achieved by a reduced

prestressing of the elastomeric block 70. In deed, if this

block 70 is predeformed only by the measure j, then the
curve R will result as the characteristic curve of the

muscle power to be applied by the driver.

An embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 9
can advantageously be utilized ?rst of all if a trans

trated in detail in FIGS. 6 to 8 for better understanding.

The prestressing of the elastomeric block 70 is ob

versely elastic ?xation of the steering gear to the vehicle

body is not possible In that case, the relative motion
between the steering axle and its housing 80 is used as

tained by pressing together the plates 71, 72 in axial

the control variable which actuates the control slide

valve 13. According to FIG. 9, the housing 80 of the

steering gear 2 is rigidly coupled to the vehicle body for
the ring-shaped elastomeric block, by means of the
adjusting nut 69. At the front sides of the plates 71, 72 20 this purpose. The steering gear 2 is designed as a rack
direction which are arranged one each at a front side of

disposed opposite the damping block 70, there are pro

and-pinion steering mechanism with spiral gearing. The

vided elastic sections 73 which are each in abutment

against one of the two housing parts 74, 75 and which

pinion 82 is arranged axially slidably within the housing

section 81 of the steering axle l which bears the driving

surround the damping element. At its radial generated

80. The axial slidability is realized in that the outer ring
surface, the housing part 75 is provided with an external 25 of a ball bearing 85 axially ?xed on the steering axle is
thread with which it is screwable into the internal
guided on a sliding surface between the stops 83, 84.
thread of the housing part 74. An abutment free of play
The section 81 of the steering axle 1 is pivoted on a
or, alternatively, a prestressing of the elastic sections
connecting member 86. For this purpose, the connect
between the two housing parts 74, 75 is adjusted by this
ing member is caulked like a socket to the ball-shaped
screwed coupling. The housing part 74 is screwable into
end 87 of the section 81. Into the connecting member 86
the intermediate ?ange 55 by means of the external
the reaction rod 26 is screwed which is abutted, similar
thread 76, in which way the axial position of the reac
to the illustration of FIG. 5, against the control slide
tion rod 26 and of the control slide valve 13 allows to be
valve 13 and is elastically coupled to the housing 80
adjusted.
through the captivated spring element 50. In order to
Switching contacts 77 are arranged in the spring
balance the axial stroke of the section 81 of the steering

element 50 for switching of the radial piston pump 52,

the switching contacts 77 being ?xed to the plates 71,
72. The switching contacts 77 project axially beyond
the plate 71, respectively 72 by the measure Y in the
direction of the associated housing half. After the elastic
sections 73 have been compressed by the measure X, the

axle, section 81 is coupled to the steering wheel through

a compensating apparatus 88.

When the steering wheel is being rotated by the

driver in any sense, this rotating motion of the driving
40 pinion 82 is translated into an axial motion of the rack

89. Due to the spiral gearing and depending on the sense

of rotation of the steering wheel, an axial force compo
ing to be abutted against the associated housing half.
nent of the section 81 will become effective which re
The elastic sections 73 also serve for silencing by avoid
sults in an axial slide of the section 81, until the outer
ing sound conducted through solids and for damping of 45 ring of the ball bearing 85 comes to be abutted either
mechanical shocks in the steering assembly.
against the stop 84 or against the stop 83. In this manner,
For better understanding of the functioning of the
the control slide valve 13 is acted upon depending on
spring element 50 within the framework of the inven
the steering direction. The foregoing descriptions of the
tive embodiments, reference is made to FIG. 12 which
function, in particular with reference to FIG. 12, apply
shows a force, respectively a spring diagram. In that
to this embodiment as well. For clarity, the hydraulic
diagram, the slide of the steering gear in transverse
unit is not shown in FIG. 9 except save for the control
direction is plotted on the abscissa, whereas the ordinate
valve 12.
indicates the forces to be applied in each case. The
FIGS. 10 and 11 show embodiments of the invention
curve b indicates the stiffness of the prestressed elasto
in which an accumulator is connected to the hydraulic
meric block 70 whose prestressing is achieved by the 55 unit in order to cover the hydraulic ?uid demand. This
compression by the measure a. The straight line c shows
will, in particular, be desirable when the power con
the stiffness of the elastic sections 73. The curve d
sumption of the pump or, rather, of the electric motor is
shows the stiffness of the bearing with which the steer
limited for reasons of energy or cost. As regards its
ing gear 2 is secured to the vehicle body 5 in such a way
arrangement and its functioning, the embodiment ac
as to be slidable in transverse direction. The curve e
cording to FIG. 10 corresponds in essence to the em
results from the sum of the curves b and d and is, thus,
bodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, however, an accumula
the total transverse stiffness which must be overcome in
tor 90 is connected to the intersection 91, that is to the
order to slide the steering gear up to the maximum
link 17 between the pump and the control valve 12,
sliding distance f. The curve e describes the display of
respectively to the link 21 which connects the pump to
contact will be closed by the switching contact 77 com

power of the power cylinder which assists the physical 65 the power chamber 10. A switching valve 92, closed
work of the driver. On the slide of the steering gear, the
when de-energized, is inserted between the intersection
pump is switched by the amount h. Subtracting the
91 and the point of connection of the hydraulic fluid line
display of power g of the power cylinder from the total
21 to the link 17. Between the pump 19 an the intersec