GB244007A - Improvements in the steering mechanism of automobile vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

244,007. Lanchester, F. W. Aug. 30, 1924. Non-reactive steering-mechanism.-Comprises damping-mechanism for steering-gear of the kind employing a double-acting piston and cylinder, the piston being furnished with valves which permit of free movement when the steering wheel is operated but which prevent the free operation of the steering wheel from the road wheels. According to the present invention in damping mechanism of this kind a certain amount of leakage past the piston is provided to permit of a damped movement of the piston under the influence of forces acting on the road wheels. In the construction shown the cylinder c<2> is fixed to the front axle and encloses a radial piston a<1> integral with a hollow shaft a<2> to which an arm a<3> controlling the road wheels is fixed. The operating shaft b<2> passes through the hollow shaft a<2> and is formed with a foot b<1> carrying a stud b<4> projecting loosely through an opening in the piston, and adapted to open one or other of two sets of spring- pressed non-return valves a<4> provided in the piston. Normally the valves are held on to their seats by their springs but when the steering-shaft b<2> is rotated one set of valves is opened and allows the piston to be moved toward them and the steering arm a<3> to be rotated. Leakage past the piston is provided either by means of a needle valve controlling a vent in the piston or by making the piston an easy fit in the cylinder. The cylinder may be kept full of oil by a reservoir d<1> communicating with the piston by ducts d<4>. In a modification the damping mechanism may be combined with worm steering-gear in which the worm-wheel is fixed on the shaft b<2> and the whole gearing is enclosed in an oil-bath.