Drive-by-wire steering systems having a steering wheel return mechanism

Abstract

A drive-by wire steering system comprising a steering shaft and a steering wheel return mechanism is provided. The steering shaft comprises a first geared portion and a first end, where the first end is connectable to a vehicle's steering wheel. The steering wheel return mechanism comprises a torsion spring and a second geared portion. The first geared portion and the second geared portion are operatively engaged such that a first angular displacement of the steering shaft about a first axis imparts a second angular displacement about a second axis to the steering wheel return mechanism. The torsion spring is configured to generate a returning torque on the steering wheel return mechanism upon the second angular displacement of the steering wheel return mechanism. The returning torque has a direction opposite the first angular displacement, and is proportional to the second angular displacement.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.