초록 ▼

A vehicle steering compensator for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such off-center movement. The compensator includes a centering unit for providing resisting and returning forces, and a trimming unit for va

A vehicle steering compensator for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such off-center movement. The compensator includes a centering unit for providing resisting and returning forces, and a trimming unit for varying the center position. The resistance unit includes a linkage extending between the steering system and a fixed vehicle member and the trimming unit has a trim piston movable relative to a trim cylinder to vary the center position by changing the length of the linkage. Dual trim valves are opened in response to extension of an air piston so that liquid flows between trim chambers on opposite side of the trim piston while the trim piston moves to a new center position. Closure of the trim valves in response to retraction of the air piston then locks the trim piston in its new center position. The resisting and returning forces may also be varied remotely, and may have the same or different values.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for positioning at least one steerable member mounted on a frame means for movement to either side of a selected center position, said apparatus comprising:resistance means for providing a resistance force resisting steering forces tending to move said stee

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for positioning at least one steerable member mounted on a frame means for movement to either side of a selected center position, said apparatus comprising:resistance means for providing a resistance force resisting steering forces tending to move said steerable member to either side of said center position, said resistance means comprising linkage means of variable length extending between said steerable member and said frame means, the length of said linkage means defining said center position;trim means operable for varying said center position of said steerable member, said trim means comprising a trim piston, trim cylinder means for providing first and second trim chambers one on each side of said trim piston, and trim passage means for providing a flow of a liquid to and from each of said trim chambers, said trim piston being movable relative to said trim cylinder means to cause said flow and vary said center position by changing the length of said linkage means; and,actuator means for operating said trim means so as to controllably vary said center position of said steerable member from a location remote from said trim means and said steerable member, said actuator means comprising:a source of said liquid,trim conduit means for providing a flow of said liquid between said source and said trim passage means,trim valve means operable between a closed position for preventing said liquid flow from each of said trim chambers and an open position for allowing said trim piston to move relative to said cylinder, said piston movement causing said liquid flow to one of said trim chambers and said liquid flow from the other of said trim chambers,and operating means activatable from said remote location for operating said trim valve means between said closed and open positions, said operating means comprising a piston head arranged for reciprocal movement in an actuator chamber between a rest position and a depressed position, actuator fluid means for pressurizing said actuator chamber to cause movement of said piston head from said rest position to said depressed position and for depressurizing said actuator chamber for return movement of said piston head to said rest position, and push means connected to said piston head for movement between an extended position in which a push element of said push means moves at least one stem of said valve means to cause said valve means to be in its open position and a retracted position in which said push element moves said at least one stem to cause said valve means to be in its closed position, said valve open and closed positions corresponding respectively to the depressed and rest positions of said piston head.