GB966431A - Hydraulically operated vehicls steering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

966,431. Vehicle power steering mechanisms. BURMAN & SONS Ltd., and W. H. BRIGGS. Aug. 2, 1963 [Aug. 16, 1962; Dec. 12, 1962], Nos. 31430/62 and 46874/62. Heading B7H. The coaxial relatively rotatable valve member 10, 13 of a power-assisted hydraulic steering mechanism are interconnected by a torsion bar 14 which is adjustably secured to member 13. Inter-engageable dogs, not shown, are provided which connect the valve parts to give direct manual operation of the steering gear when one member has been turned a predetermined angle relative to the other. The valve members control the flow of pressure fluid to the opposite faces of the piston 12 which is an extension of the nut portion 11 of the recirculating ball or other worm and nut type steering gear, valve member 10 being an extension of the worm portion. In Fig. 1, a collar 19 with internal and external axial splines is mounted on splines 17 on the end 16 of the torsion bar 14, the external splines 20 of the collar corresponding to the external splines 18 on valve member 13, the splines 18, 20 being engaged together by an internally splined vehicle steering shaft. Different numbers of external splines, e.g. 36 and 37, are provided on the end 16 and collar 19 to permit vernier adjustment of the torsion bar mounting and hence of the neutral position of the valve members 10, 13. In a second embodiment, Fig. 2, a slidable collar 23 is mounted on the torsion bar with radial ridges on both sides which engage corresponding radial ridges on surface 22 of valve member 13 and on the left-hand face of flange 21 of the torsion bar 14. The ridged members are held in close engagement by spring means 24 and different numbers of ridges are provided on the opposite faces of collar 23 to permit fine adjustment of the relative angular positions of the valve members.