Trw Limited

Michael R Morsches

Wendell L Gilbert

Fredrick D Venable

A hydraulic power steering gear (10) for a vehicle comprises first and second valve members (40 and 42) which are disposed coaxial to one another and which are relatively rotatable about a first axis (38) to selectively port hydraulic fluid. The first valve member (40) has an associated axial bore (170). The axial bore (170) has a second axis (174) which extends parallel to the first axis (38). The second valve member (42) includes a cam surface (128). A plunger (200) is disposed in the axial bore (170) for movement along the second axis (174). The plunger has a detent surface (208). Springs (240) bias the plunger (200) axially toward the second valve member (42). A detent roller (220) acts between the first and second valve members (40 and 42). The detent roller (220) is located in the cam surface (128) and in the detent surface (208) in a neutral condition to provide a physically perceptible indication to a driver of the vehicle of operation between the neutral condition and an actuated condition.

Detent mechanism for a hydraulic power steering gear

A hydraulic power steering gear (10) comprises first and second relatively rotatable valve members (40 and 42). The first valve member (40) includes a radially extending passage (64). The second valve member (42) has an arcuate cam surface (184). A detent member (220) acts between the first and second valve members (40 and 42). The detent member (220) has a curved outer surface (252). A spring (240) biases the detent member (220) radially outward against the cam surface (184). The spring (240) is disposed in the radially extending passage (64) in the first valve member (40). The detent member (220) is disposed in the arcuate cam surface (184) in the neutral condition and provides a physically perceptible indication to a driver of the vehicle of operation of the steering gear (10) between the neutral condition and the actuated condition.

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Lebanon, TN, United States of America

Michael R Morsches