Scheme 1
- The steering wheel vertical position can be adjusted within a 40 mm (1.58 in) range by using the tilt lever to unlock the steering column and lock it again at the desired position.
Scheme 2
- To absorb the backward movement energy generated in the engine in the event of a frontal collision, a press-fitted pipes type steering column jacket has been adopted. When an impact load exceeding a certain level is applied to the steering column, jacket A slides on jacket B. Since jacket B is press-fitted in jacket A, friction generated between them absorbs the impact. The column bending load is supported by the press-fitted jackets.
- Another measure to alleviate impact on the driver in the event of a collision is the wire which is located between the tilt pin attached to the steering support beam and the distance plate. When a large impact load is applied to the steering column, the wire is deformed progressively. The impact energy is absorbed during this process.
Low-range-speed operation (A - B range)
In this speed range, as well as in all the other speed ranges, two different pump discharge pressures are always applied to the control valve; one is directly led from the discharge port to the left end of the valve and the other is led through an orifice (variable orifice) to the right end of the valve. Since the orifice has a pressure reducing effect, the latter pressure is lower than the former.
When the pump is operating at a low speed, its discharge pressure is also low, resulting in only small difference between the two pressures. In this condition, the valve stays pushed leftward by the spring, allowing the non-pressurized tank fluid to enter chamber A. To chamber B, on the other hand, the orifice-reduced discharge pressure is applied, so the cam ring is pushed leftward by the cam ring spring. This makes the eccentricity of the cam ring a maximum and, therefore, the delivery rate per rotation of the pump become a maximum.
Scheme 3
Mid-range-speed operation (B - C range)
During mid-range speed operation, the pump increases its delivery rate. Since the pressure before passing through the variable orifice increases, the control valve moves rightward, overcoming the tension of the control valve spring. This movement of the control valve allows the pressure upstream of the variable orifice to be directed to chamber A. On the other hand, chamber B receives a pressure reduced by the orifice. This means that the pressure in chamber A is higher than that in chamber B. As a result, the cam ring moves rightward against the tension of the cam spring. This causes the delivery rate per rotation of the pump to be reduced, so that the flow rate of the fluid to the steering gear box decreases accordingly.
Scheme 4
High-speed operation (C - D range)
When the pump speed increases to a certain point, the cam ring moves to the extreme right position, making the variable orifice opening the minimum. In this state, the delivery rate per rotation of the pump becomes the minimum and the minimum delivery rate is maintained even if the pump speed increases further.
