The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 1991
Filed:
Aug. 15, 1990
Gregory D Bober, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A variable effort steering system disclosed herein changes the steering effort required to maneuver a vehicle which lacks power-assisted steering by modifying an electromagnetically applied holding torque exerted upon the steering shaft. By increasing or decreasing the applied holding torque, a change in the steering wheel's resistance to movement can be sensed by the driver. The device of the present invention allows the same high mechanical advantage steering gear ratio having a mechanical advantage to be deployed effectively over the spectrum of vehicle dynamic states. The resistive force exerted is a function of any dynamic state of the vehicle, such as its speed, thereby producing, for example, high speed steering stability. The variable effort steering system proposed includes a variable load actuator having a rotary member which is mounted upon the steering shaft, a stationary member surrounding the rotary member and at least one core which extends towards the rotary member. Windings are provided around the cores. When a current is delivered through the windings, a magnetic field is produced and a holding torque is exerted on the rotary member. The holding torque resists the turning motion of the rotary member, the steering shaft, and consequently, the manually applied torque.