Vehicle steering actuation device

A vehicle steering actuation device, comprising:

• a power transfer coupling device configured to be coupled to a steering shaft within a steering column of a vehicle, the power transfer coupling device configured to be used in place of a steering wheel of the vehicle;
• an electric motor operatively coupled to the power transfer coupling device, the electric motor configured to rotate the power transfer coupling device in order to steer the vehicle, the electric motor being capable of producing sufficient torque for steering the vehicle so that a power steering assembly of the vehicle is not required to be operating;
• a control unit operatively coupled to the electric motor, the control unit configured to control the steering of the vehicle by controlling the electric motor based upon steering commands inputted to the control unit by a user;
• a frame assembly for supporting the power transfer coupling device, the electric motor, and the control unit;
• and
• an anti-rotation device attached to the frame assembly, the anti-rotation device configured to prevent the vehicle steering actuation device from rotating relative to an outer wall of the steering column when the steering shaft is being driven by the electric motor;
• wherein the anti-rotation device comprises a male collar member configured to be mounted on the outer wall of the steering column and a female collar member attached to a base plate of the frame assembly, the male collar member configured to engage with the female collar member so as to prevent the vehicle steering actuation device from rotating relative to the outer wall of the steering column.

A vehicle steering actuation system, comprising:

• a steering shaft disposed within a steering column of a vehicle, an end of the steering shaft protruding from the steering column, the end of the steering shaft not being connected to a steering wheel of the vehicle;
• a power transfer coupling device operatively coupled to the end of the steering shaft, the power transfer coupling device being coupled to the end of the steering shaft in place of the steering wheel of the vehicle;
• an electric motor operatively coupled to the power transfer coupling device, the electric motor configured to rotate the power transfer coupling device in order to steer the vehicle, the electric motor being capable of producing sufficient torque for steering the vehicle so that a power steering assembly of the vehicle is not required to be operating;
• a control unit operatively coupled to the electric motor, the control unit configured to control the steering of the vehicle by controlling the electric motor based upon steering 13 commands inputted to the control unit by a user;
• a frame assembly for supporting the power transfer coupling device, the electric motor, and the control unit;
• and
• an anti-rotation device attached to the frame assembly, the anti-rotation device configured to prevent the vehicle steering actuation device from rotating relative to an outer wall of the steering column when the steering shaft is being driven by the electric motor.