JPH0450219Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a power steering device for trucks and the like used particularly in cold regions.

[Prior art] During constant driving in cold regions, the frequency of steering operations is low, and the oil in the gearbox is cooled by cold air. As a result, road conditions change rapidly,
When a large steering angle is required,
The resistance is large and it becomes difficult to operate.

A power brake device equipped with a heat retaining device has already been proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 59-65868. However, no suitable heat-retaining device has yet been proposed for power steering devices.

[Problems to be Solved] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power steering heating device that does not interfere with steering operation even if the steering oil in the gearbox is cooled by cold air while driving in a cold region.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, in a power steering device that includes a steering gear box connected to a steering wheel and a power steering pump that supplies steering oil to the steering gear box, the outer periphery of the steering gear box is covered. A case is provided, and the case is provided with heat generating means.

[Explanation of function and effect] Therefore, if you do not perform much steering operation while driving in a cold region, the gearbox will be cooled by the cold air and the viscosity of the oil in the gearbox will increase, creating resistance to steering operation. , the increase in viscosity can be prevented by means of heating the oil in the gearbox.

According to the present invention, only the oil inside the case needs to be kept warm, and therefore less energy is required for the heating means. In this way, it can be kept warm with a small amount of energy, so there is no problem even if it is constantly heated. Therefore, the driver can always perform stable steering operations while driving in cold regions.

[Preferred Embodiment] When carrying out the present invention, engine oil may be circulated within the case as the heating means, or a heating coil may be provided around the gearbox.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a power steering system to which the present invention is applied, in which the operation of a steering wheel 1 is transmitted to a steering gear box 2. Hydraulic oil from an oil reservoir tank 4 is supplied to the steering gear box 2 in a pressurized state by a power steering pump 3, so that the steering force of the steering wheel 1 is amplified and transmitted to the steered wheels. .

The present invention provides a device that keeps the oil in the steering gear box at an appropriate temperature at all times.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the steering gear box device 10 has a double structure, and the case 11
A gearbox 12 is placed inside the box. Pressure oil from the power steering pump 3 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied to the gearbox 12 via a line 13 to amplify the steering force of the steering wheel 1.

An oil chamber 14 is formed between the case 11 and the gearbox 12, and engine oil supplied from a line 15 communicating with the main gear rally of the engine is circulated within the oil chamber 14 and passed through the line 1.
6 and is returned to the engine oil pan. Therefore, the oil chamber 14 through which this engine oil flows constitutes a heat generating means.

During this time, the gearbox 12 is warmed by the heat of the engine oil, preventing overcooling of the steering oil and maintaining the power steering function at all times.

Next, in another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, a steering gear box device 20 is composed of a case 21 made of a heat insulating material and a gear box 22 disposed inside the case. is made of a thermally conductive material 24.

Then, case 21 and gearbox case 22
A heating coil 23 constituting a heating means is inserted between the two and the heating coil 23 is controlled by a temperature controller 25.

This controller 25 includes a switch line 2
6. Line 27 leading to the outside temperature sensor, line 28 leading to the steering gear box temperature sensor
The temperature of the steering gear box is maintained at the optimum temperature according to the information from the temperature sensor.

[Effects of the invention] As described above, the present invention provides the following excellent effects.

(1) Only the oil in the gearbox used during steering operation is heated and kept warm, so less energy is required.

(2) Since it uses little energy, there is no danger of the oil heating up even if it is constantly heated.

(3) There is no fluctuation in steering force in cold regions, allowing stable steering operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a power steering system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention. 1... Steering, 2, 12, 22... Steering gear box, 14... Engine oil chamber, 23... Heat generating coil, 25... Temperature controller.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A power steering device including a steering gear box connected to a steering wheel and a power steering pump that supplies steering oil to the steering gear box, including a case that covers the outer periphery of the steering gear box, and the case is equipped with a heat generating means. A power steering heating device featuring: