Isuzu Motors Limited

Haruyuki Hosoya

Minori Higuchi

Junpei Okutani

Kousuke Kawakami

Masaaki Kano

Hideto Hirahara

The present invention reduces motor size in a steering device. To this end, this steering device () to be installed in a vehicle has: a power steering unit () positioned below the floor section () of the vehicle compartment (); and a coaxial motor () which is provided directly above the power steering unit () and in a manner such that the output shaft thereof is coaxial with the input shaft of the power steering unit ().

Steering device

A steering device () installed in a vehicle is equipped with: a steering wheel (); a steering shaft () having a first shaft part (), one end of which is directly connected to the steering wheel (), and a second shaft part () connected to the first shaft part () on the other end side thereof; a coaxial motor () which applies a rotational force to the first shaft part (), and has a motor housing () which supports the steering shaft () and surrounds the periphery of the first shaft part (); and a motor securing unit () which, in order to determine the support position of the steering wheel (), secures the motor housing () and a support bracket () secured inside the vehicle compartment.

A steering device () installed in a vehicle is equipped with: a steering wheel (); a steering shaft () having a first shaft part (), one end of which is directly connected to the steering wheel (), and a second shaft part () connected to the first shaft part () on the other end side thereof; a coaxial motor () which applies a rotational force to the first shaft part (), and has a motor housing () which supports the steering shaft () and surrounds the periphery of the first shaft part (); and a support bracket () which extends in the axial direction of the steering shaft () in a front region inside the vehicle compartment, is secured to the vehicle compartment on the bottom end side and top end side thereof, and at the top end side thereof, sandwiches the motor housing () from both the left and right sides in the vehicle widthwise direction.

A steering device exhibiting improved layout properties around a steering shaft. A steering device installed in a vehicle, the vehicle compartment of which is capable of tilting, has: a first steering shaft, one end of which is connected to a steering wheel; a second steering shaft positioned below the first steering shaft and in a manner such that the one end thereof connected to the other end of the first steering shaft is located above the floor section of the vehicle compartment; and a coaxial motor which applies a rotational force to the first steering shaft and is provided in a manner such that the output shaft thereof is coaxial with the first steering shaft. Furthermore, the second steering shaft is capable of telescoping, because a shaft and a cylindrical member are connected so as to be capable of sliding relative to one another in the axial direction.

For prevention against the air leakage from the air springs in the suspension assembly for a road vehicle, it is disclosed to eliminate the interference that will happen between beams mounted to axle housings and air springs disposed between the beams and the frame. Air springs,are arranged between a frame,and the extremities of beams,mounted to axle housings. On each of the air springs,, there is provided a relief,between the beam,and the lowest end of a housing,which constitutes a plunger,serving as a second support member of the air spring,. This relief,makes it possible to prevent the interference that is thought to happen between the bent beam,and the housing,when the beam,deflects. Hence, the housings,are kept from the damages due to the collision with the beams,and further it is ensured to keep air-tightly auxiliary air chambers,communicated with air chambers,in diaphragms,through air passages

Suspension device for vehicles

A start-assist system for a vehicle using air actuators attached to one of rear axles, behaving as a drive axle, is provided to increase the load to the drive axle and the traction when the vehicle starts to run. A control device supplies air to the air actuators when the unladen vehicle is stopped, but discharges air from the air actuators, while keeping residual air in them, when the laden vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle runs at a speed over a predetermined speed. Thus the air actuators are protected from collapsing.

Control device of a start-assist system

A start-assist system provided in a vehicle having two rear shafts, one of which is a drive axle, includes a control device having an air actuator attached to the drive axle; a level sensor for detecting loads applied to the shaft axles; an air supply source for supplying compressed air to the air actuator; a first valve disposed in an air conduit for supplying air to the air actuator; a second valve for releasing air from the air actuator; and a controller for controlling the first valve and the second valve. The a controller opens the first valve to introduce air to the air actuator when a signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is unladen, and opens the second valve to release air from the air actuator when the signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and parking brake is activated.

A start-assist system provided in a vehicle having two rear axles, one of which is a drive axle. A control device includes an air actuator attached to the drive axle; a level sensor for detecting loads applied to the axles; an air supply source for supplying compressed air to the air actuator; a first valve disposed in an air conduit for supplying air to the air actuator; a second valve for releasing air from the air actuator; and a controller for controlling the first valve and the second valve. The controller opens the first valve to introduce air to the air actuator when a signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is unladen, opens the second valve to release air from the air actuator when the signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is laden.

A vehicle traction enhancement device is formed of a suspension attached to a frame of a vehicle, a drive axle mounted on the frame through the suspension, a driven axle mounted on frame, a bracket mounted on the drive axle substantially parallel to the frame, and an air spring mounted between the bracket and the frame. The air spring receives compressed air therein for expansion thereof when the vehicle starts to move to thereby increase pressure of drive axle tires attached to the drive axle relative to a ground.

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Haruyuki Hosoya