# US 12,179,857 B2 · Power steering mechanism for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,857 B2 - Document ID: US12179857B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/440,462 - Filed: 2020-01-30 - Published: 2022-05-19 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-18 - Assignees: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH - Applicants: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH - Inventors: Rainer Lang; Bernhard Miller; Klaus Peterreins; Falk Hecker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179857B2 ## CPC - B62D 5/064: {Pump driven independently from vehicle engine, e.g. electric driven pump (B62D5/065 takes precedence)} - B62D 1/20: Connecting steering column to steering gear - B62D 5/065: characterised by specially adapted means for varying pressurised fluid supply based on need, e.g. on-demand, variable assist - B62D 5/24: for worm type - B62D 6/08: responsive only to {driver} input torque - H02K 7/006: {Structural association of a motor or generator with the drive train of a motor vehicle} - H02K 7/116: with gears - H02K 11/24: Devices for sensing torque, or actuated thereby (H02K11/27 takes precedence) - H02K 26/00: Machines adapted to function as torque motors, i.e. to exert a torque when stalled - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract A steering assistance device includes an input shaft, a torque sensor, and output shaft, a gear unit, a steering housing, and a drive unit. The drive unit and the torque sensor are arranged so as to be in mechanical contact with the steering housing. The drive unit has a pump for conveying the working medium and a motor for driving the pump. The drive unit has a reservoir for containing working medium, wherein at least the pump is arranged within the reservoir. The input shaft, the torque sensor, the gear unit, and the drive unit are arranged in a row along a longitudinal axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering assistance device for a vehicle, comprising: an input shaft for introducing a torque from a steering column of the vehicle into the steering assistance device; a torque sensor, wherein the torque sensor is configured to detect the torque introduced via the input shaft and to provide a sensor signal which represents the detected torque; an output shaft for conducting the torque out of the steering assistance device; a gear unit, wherein the gear unit is configured to mechanically transmit the torque from the input shaft to the output shaft; a steering housing, wherein the gear unit is arranged within the steering housing; and a drive unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to charge the gear unit with a hydraulic working medium in a manner dependent on the sensor signal, wherein the drive unit and the torque sensor are arranged so as to be in mechanical contact with the steering housing, the drive unit has a pump for conveying the working medium and a motor for driving the pump, the drive unit has a reservoir for containing working medium, wherein at least the pump is arranged within the reservoir, and the input shaft, the torque sensor, the gear unit, and the drive unit are arranged in a row along a longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the gear unit and the drive unit are arranged within a common housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump is a bidirectional pump. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pump is an internal gear pump or a crescent pump. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear unit is arranged between the torque sensor and the drive unit, or the drive unit is arranged between the torque sensor and the gear unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an electronics unit for controlling the drive unit in a manner dependent on the sensor signal, wherein the electronics unit is arranged so as to be in mechanical contact with the drive unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronics unit is arranged on the drive unit so as to be offset with respect to the drive unit transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the steering assistance device, or the drive unit is arranged between the electronics unit and the gear unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear unit has a first working chamber, which is fluidically connected to the drive unit and which serves for containing working medium, and a second working chamber, which is fluidically connected to the drive unit and which serves for containing working medium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear unit is a ball screw drive. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump and the motor are arranged within the reservoir. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The steering assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump, the motor, and the reservoir are also arranged in the row along the longitudinal axis.