Patent ID: 6105711
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A power steering system for providing a steering assist through control of supply and discharge of working fluid to and from a pair of cylinder chambers of a power cylinder in response to a steering effort on an input shaft of a steering gear, the power steering system comprising:a conversion mechanism having an operating device, for converting a steering effort on the input shaft to movement of said operating device;a control valve operatively connected to said operating device for controlling the supply and discharge of working fluid to and from said cylinder chambers of said power cylinder in response to said movement of said operating device;said control valve shutting off the supply of working fluid to said power cylinder when steering in a straight-ahead position; anda directional control valve disposed between said control valve and said power cylinder for switching the supply of working fluid from one of said cylinder chambers to the other in response to a direction of steering effort on the input shaft while controlling discharge of working fluid from said cylinder chambers.