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US 2003/0146037 A1Published application
Hand wheel actuator
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRatko Menjak, Jens Haupt, Jim M. Card
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering shaft supported by bearings has an end suitable for attaching a hand wheel thereto. A position sensor detects the angular displacement of the steering shaft from a central position and produces a signal indicative of such angular displacement. An electric motor and a transmission apply torque to the steering shaft to provide force-feedback to a user. A variable stopper is configured to stop rotation of the steering shaft at an arbitrary location.
Claims38
A hand wheel actuator for providing force feedback to a user, the actuator comprising:
- a steering shaft having an upper end configured for attaching a hand wheel, said steering shaft being supported by bearings such that is rotatable about its own axis;
- a position sensor detecting an angular displacement of said steering shaft from a selected origin and producing a signal indicative of said angular displacement;
- an electric motor;
- a transmission means operatively connecting an output shaft of said electric motor to said steering shaft;
- and
- a variable stopper stopping rotation of said steering shaft at an arbitrary location.
3 more elements
A method for feedback in a steering actuator comprising:
- detecting an angular displacement of a steering shaft from a selected origin and producing a signal indicative of said angular displacement;
- operating an electric motor operatively connected to said steering shaft in response to signals from a control unit;
- and
- stopping rotation of said steering shaft at an arbitrary location in response to signals from a control unit.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.