Abstract: In steering control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a camera photographs a travel path in a traveling direction of a vehicle, a lateral displacement calculating circuit calculates a lateral displacement of the vehicle with respect to the travel path according to an image of the travel path photographed by the camera, a differentiator calculates a differential value of the lateral displacement, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, a relative yaw rate calculating section calculates a relative yaw rate with respect to the travel path of the vehicle on the basis of the lateral displacement, the differential value of the lateral displacement, and the vehicle speed, an actuator provides an assistance force for the steering mechanism, and an actuator controlling section drivingly controls the actuator in a direction toward which the relative yaw rate is cancelled on the basis of the relative yaw rate.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes a control valve formed with a high-pressure chamber for introducing therein high-pressure fluid on the upstream side of a metering orifice, a pressure chamber for introducing therein pressure fluid on the downstream side of the metering orifice, a low-pressure chamber arranged between the high-pressure and pressure chambers for introducing therein low-pressure fluid, and a communication passage for providing fluid communication between one of the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers and a first fluid-pressure chamber of the pump.

Abstract: A fixing structure includes a first bracket having a first bolt hole, a second bracket having a second bolt hole smaller in the axial length than the first bolt hole, a securing member for securing a circumferential end of the first bracket and a circumferential end of the second bracket, and a securing bolt arranged from the second bolt hole through the first bolt hole and for securing the first bracket, the second bracket, and the vehicle-body member together.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes a rear cover and side plate arranged on both sides of a cam ring and making slide contact with the cam ring. The rear cover has an end face on the side of the cam ring, which is formed with a suction port. A seal member is arranged in a chamber formed between a pump housing and the cam ring and for dividing the chamber into two portions that define first and second working chambers. A connection groove and terminal groove are formed in the end face of the rear cover to provide fluid communication between the suction port and the second working chamber.

Abstract: Within a cam ring (8), a rotor having a plurality of vanes (27) is eccentrically disposed. A metering orifice (136) is provided halfway on a discharge passage (135) of pressure fluid discharged from the pump, and a control valve is activated due to a pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the metering orifice (136). A fluid pressure of the first fluid pressure chamber (21) is controlled by activation of the control valve (123). The second fluid pressure chamber (22) is shut off from the control valve (123) to introduce a pressure on the suction side at any time. To return the cam ring (8) in a direction of expanding a pump chamber (11), an internal pressure of the cam ring (8) is applied in the return direction.

Abstract: A power steering system includes a first R-shaped portion formed with a cylindrical wall and curvedly extending from an outer-periphery general face of the cylindrical wall to the outer periphery of a butt wall, and a second R-shaped portion formed with the cylindrical wall and arranged between the butt wall and the first R-shaped portion, wherein the second R-shaped portion is smaller in radius of curvature than the first R-shaped portion.

Abstract: Within a cam ring (8), a rotor having a plurality of vanes (27) is eccentrically disposed. A metering orifice (136) is provided halfway on a discharge passage (135) of pressure fluid discharged from the pump, and a control valve is activated due to a pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the metering orifice (136). A fluid pressure of the first fluid pressure chamber (21) is controlled by activation of the control valve (123). The second fluid pressure chamber (22) is shut off from the control valve (123) to introduce a pressure on the suction side at any time. To return the cam ring (8) in a direction of expanding a pump chamber (11), an internal pressure of the cam ring (8) is applied in the return direction.

Abstract: An integral power steering apparatus includes a stroke limiter. A piston defines two hydraulic chambers in a housing. A communicating passage, a first valve disposed between the first hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, and a second valve disposed between the second hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, are provided to serve for a stroke limiter, in addition to a hydraulic circuit for supplying hydraulic fluid to the two hydraulic chambers. The two valves each include a valve body having a bore and serving as a valve seat, a plunger slidably fitted within the bore of the valve body and serving as a valving element, and a spring disposed on the bottom of the bore of the valve body and biasing the plunger to be in contact with the valve body.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion type steering apparatus whose housing includes a pinion accommodating portion, a rack accommodating portion, a radial opening defining a rack guide hole, and a projecting portion which is formed on the side of the rack accommodating portion opposite the rack guide hole. The radial opening is covered by a plug that is fixed by swaging. The projecting portion has a contact surface being received on a jig when the plug is fixed to the housing by swaging. Therefore, the reaction of the swaging from the jig does not directly affect the pinion accommodating portion.

Abstract: A cylinder device such as a power cylinder of a power steering system includes a slidable shaft slidably disposed inside a housing. A joint member is connected to the end section of the slidable shaft. A stopper member is disposed between the slidable shaft and the joint member. Here, the end section of the slidable shaft is cutout to form an axial engagement surface. The slidable shaft and the joint member are connected in a condition where the end face of the slidable shaft is in contact with the end face of the joint member so as to from a groove between the axial engagement surface and the joint member. The stopper member is formed annular and has an engagement section formed along its inner periphery. The engagement section is fitted in the groove so that the stopper member is prevented from at least an axial movement.

Abstract: An integral power steering apparatus includes a stroke limiter. A piston defines two hydraulic chambers in a housing. A communicating passage, a first valve disposed between the first hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, and a second valve disposed between the second hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, are provided to serve for a stroke limiter, in addition to a hydraulic circuit for supplying hydraulic fluid to the two hydraulic chambers. The two valves each include a valve body having a bore and serving as a valve seat, a plunger slidably fitted within the bore of the valve body and serving as a valving element, and a spring disposed on the bottom of the bore of the valve body and biasing the plunger to be in contact with the valve body.

Abstract: In steering control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a camera photographs a travel path in a traveling direction of a vehicle, a lateral displacement calculating circuit calculates a lateral displacement of the vehicle with respect to the travel path according to an image of the travel path photographed by the camera, a differentiator calculates a differential value of the lateral displacement, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, a relative yaw rate calculating section calculates a relative yaw rate with respect to the travel path of the vehicle on the basis of the lateral displacement, the differential value of the lateral displacement, and the vehicle speed, an actuator provides an assistance force for the steering mechanism, and an actuator controlling section drivingly controls the actuator in a direction toward which the relative yaw rate is cancelled on the basis of the relative yaw rate.

Abstract: A fixing structure includes a first bracket having a first bolt hole, a second bracket having a second bolt hole smaller in the axial length than the first bolt hole, a securing member for securing a circumferential end of the first bracket and a circumferential end of the second bracket, and a securing bolt arranged from the second bolt hole through the first bolt hole and for securing the first bracket, the second bracket, and the vehicle-body member together.

Abstract: A power steering system includes a first R-shaped portion formed with a cylindrical wall and curvedly extending from an outer-periphery general face of the cylindrical wall to the outer periphery of a butt wall, and a second R-shaped portion formed with the cylindrical wall and arranged between the butt wall and the first R-shaped portion, wherein the second R-shaped portion is smaller in radius of curvature than the first R-shaped portion.

Abstract: A steering damper has a pair of damper portions each including a variable throttle valve for restricting inflow from a power cylinder into a flow passage change-over valve, the variable throttle valve provided on the way to each cylinder passage and a first check valve for permitting inflow from the flow passage change-over valve into the power cylinder, the check valve connected in parallel with the variable throttle valve. The steering damper has a second check valve in communication to a tank between the first check valve and left and right chambers of the power cylinder.

Abstract: A first fluid pressure chamber 21 is provided in one of the swing directions of a cam ring 8 and a second fluid pressure chamber 22 is provided in the other direction, with a spring 17 for urging the cam ring 8 toward the second fluid pressure chamber 22. Within the cam ring 8, a rotor having a plurality of vanes 27 is eccentrically disposed. A metering orifice 136 is provided halfway on a discharge passage 135 of pressure fluid discharged from the pump, and a control vale is activated due to a pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the metering orifice 136. A fluid pressure of the first fluid pressure chamber 21 is controlled by activation of the control valve 123. The second fluid pressure chamber 22 is shut off from the control valve 123 to introduce a pressure on the suction side at any time.

Abstract: First and second fluid pressure chambers are formed in both sides of a movement direction of a cam ring swingably placed within a pump body. A spool of a control valve is moved due to a pressure difference between the front and back of a metering orifice. Fluid pressures of the fluid pressure chambers are controlled. The cam ring is swung. Further, a solenoid for giving thrust in an axial direction thereof to the spool of the control valve and electronic control device for controlling driving of the solenoid are provided. The electronic control device has a steering sensor and determines a steering direction based on a signal from the steering sensor and also calculates a steering speed to the steering direction and controls a driving current of the solenoid in response to this steering speed and changes a discharge flow rate of a pump.

Abstract: A coupling structure includes a shaft member having an outer periphery formed with an axial groove and a circumferential groove, each groove having a cross section having opposed faces substantially parallel to each other; a cylindrical member fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft member and formed out of a material greater in linear expansion coefficient than that of the shaft member; and a caulked portion provided to the cylindrical member at a position corresponding to the grooves of the shaft member. The caulked portion has a deformed inner surface in press contact with the opposed faces of the grooves.

Abstract: A steering damper has a pair of damper portions each including a variable throttle valve for restricting inflow from a power cylinder into a flow passage change-over valve, the variable throttle valve provided on the way to each cylinder passage and a first check valve for permitting inflow from the flow passage change-over valve into the power cylinder, the check valve connected in parallel with the variable throttle valve. The steering damper has a second check valve in communication to a tank between the first check valve and left and right chambers of the power cylinder.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus features a first shaft and a second shaft connected by an elastic member. A first detecting member is coupled to the second shaft, and made of magnetic material with a plurality of radial notched portions defining a number of slots. A pair of second detecting members are coupled to the first shaft and positioned on both sides of the first detecting member, and made of conductive and non-magnetic material with a plurality of radial notched portions defining a like number of slots. A pair of detecting coils are axially positioned on both sides of a set of the first and second detecting members. A housing accommodates the first and second detecting members, the detecting coils, and holds yokes in a fixed position. The largest outer diameter of the first shaft is smaller than each of the inner diameters of the first detecting member, the second detecting member and the yokes, thereby improving the assembling of the electric power steering apparatus.