Power steering apparatus

Details

Inventors: Suzuki, Yoshio; Yamaguchi, Seiji;
Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Primary Examiner: Pekar; John A.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak, and Seas

A power steering apparatus is disclosed wherein improved steering characteristics are provided over a wide range of driving conditions. The system includes an oil pump for supplying pressurized oil from an oil tank to either a left or right cylinder chamber in a power cylinder and a flow control valve which returns part of the pressurized oil discharged from the oil pump to the tank. In accordance with the invention, at least one small orifice is provided communicating a pressurized oil feed line directed to one of the chambers in the power cylinder with a return line directed to the oil tank from the other one of the chambers in the power cylinder at the downstream side of the flow control valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention has been made in light of the foregoing.
Specifically, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, the invention provides a power steering apparatus wherein a stationary orifice having a small opening is provided to communicate a pressurized oil feed line with a return line to an oil tank at the downstream side of a flow control valve.
With this simple arrangement, wide variations in input torque may be obtained responsive to car speed.
Thus, the steering wheel is provided with the appropriate "feel", namely, light at low and normal speeds and heavy at higher speeds.
Further, the overall construction is simple, and each part may precisely be worked or assembled.
In addition, easy application is possible to the conventional apparatus, yet the desired effects easily obtained.
Moreover, upon changing the opening area of the orifice, a suitable steering force is established responsive to the steering angle or the like, serving to provide excellent steering properties.

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