Steering actuator system
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorMichael J. Cole
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The steering actuator system disclosed includes a driver feedback rack for receiving input from a steering wheel and a vehicle steering rack, separate from the driver feedback rack. A variable feedback device connects the driver feedback rack to the vehicle steering rack, such that linear motion of the driver feedback rack is translated to variable linear motion of the vehicle steering rack through the variable feedback device. Also, linear motion of the steering rack can be translated into variable linear motion of the driver feedback rack through the variable feedback device.
Claims21
A steering actuator system comprising:
- a driver feedback rack for receiving input from a steering wheel;
- a vehicle steering rack, separate from the driver feedback rack;
- a variable feedback device connecting the driver feedback rack to the vehicle steering rack, wherein, in an activated state of the variable feedback device, linear motion of the driver feedback rack is translated to variable linear motion of the vehicle steering rack through the variable feedback device.
A steering actuator system comprising:
- a steering control unit for receiving torque and position information;
- a threaded rod having a first end and a second end, the threaded rod connected to one of a vehicle steering rack and a driver feedback rack at the first end and the second end;
- an internally threaded nut rigidly attached to the other of the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack, the nut surrounding the threaded rod;
- and,
- a drive element connected to the second end of the threaded rod, the drive element controlled by the steering control unit;
- wherein rotation of the threaded rod via the drive element creates a shift in linear position between the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack at a variable ratio.
A steering actuator system comprising:
- a steering control unit for receiving torque and position information;
- a variable feedback gear, the gear comprising teeth meshing with a toothed face of a vehicle steering rack and a toothed face of a driver feedback rack;
- and,
- a drive element connected to the variable feedback gear, the drive element controlled by the steering control unit;
- wherein rotation of the gear via the drive element creates a shift in linear position between the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack at a variable ratio.
A method of controlling a steering actuator system, the method comprising:
- sending torque and position information to a steering control unit;
- positioning a variable feedback device between a vehicle steering rack and a driver feedback rack;
- attaching a drive element to the variable feedback device;
- using the torque and position information within the steering control unit to determine whether movement between the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack should be at a fixed ratio or at a variable ratio;
- retaining the variable feedback device in an inactivated state when movement between the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack should be at a fixed ratio;
- and,
- activating the drive element through the steering control unit when movement between the vehicle steering rack and the driver feedback rack should be at a variable ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.