Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels upon manual rotation of a hand wheel includes a torque sensor connected with a torque sensor and a rear steering gear. The controller selectively controls the rear steering gear in response to an output from the torque sensor upon manual application of at least a predetermined torque to the hand wheel. The controller selectively controls the rear steering gear in response to the output from the torque sensor through a first range of turning movement of the front wheels so that the steering angle of the rear wheels has a first relationship to the steering angle of the front wheels and through a second range of turning movement of the front wheels so that the steering angle of the rear wheels has a second relationship different from the first relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle (12) upon manual rotation of a steering wheel (14) comprises a front steering motor (36) coupled to a front steerable wheel (18) of the vehicle (12) for turning the front steerable wheel. A rear steering motor (66) is coupled to a rear steerable wheel (22) of the vehicle (12) for turning the rear steerable wheel. A position sensor (34) senses a rotational position of the steering wheel (14) and provides an output indicative of said rotational position. A controller (90) receives the output of the position sensor (34) and controls the front and rear steering motors (36, 66) to turn the front steerable wheel (22) in response to the output from the position sensor (34) indicating rotation of the steering wheel (14) in a first portion of a range of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Steerable vehicle wheels (12,14) are turned under the influence of force transmitted through a steering column (22). A closed loop assembly (32) is connected with the steering column (22). The closed loop assembly (22) includes a first motor (52) which is connected with a first gear unit (56). The first gear unit (56) is operated in response to the output from a first sensor (48). A feedback sensor (66) is connected with the steering column (22) adjacent to an output from the first gear unit (56). An open loop assembly (34) is connected with the steering column (22) and includes a second motor (88) which is connected with a second gear unit (92). The second motor (88) is operated in response to the output from a second sensor (82). A manual steering gear (20) is operated to turn the steerable vehicle wheels (12,14) under the influence of force transmitted from the steering wheel (18), first motor (52) and second motor (88) through the steering column (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle (12) upon manual rotation of a steering wheel (14) comprises a front steering motor (36) coupled to a front steerable wheel (18) of the vehicle (12) for turning the front steerable wheel. A rear steering motor (66) is coupled to a rear steerable wheel (22) of the vehicle (12) for turning the rear steerable wheel. A position sensor (34) senses a rotational position of the steering wheel (14) and provides an output indicative of said rotational position. A controller (90) receives the output of the position sensor (34) and controls the front and rear steering motors (36, 66) to turn the front steerable wheel (22) in response to the output from the position sensor (34) indicating rotation of the steering wheel (14) in a first portion of a range of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels upon manual rotation of a hand wheel includes a torque sensor connected with the hand wheel. A controller is connected with the torque sensor and a rear steering gear. The controller is operable to effect operation of the rear steering gear in response to an output from the torque sensor upon manual application of at least a predetermined torque to the hand wheel. The torque sensor has an output which corresponds to a torque which is less than the predetermined torque throughout turning of the front wheels through a first range of turning movement. The torque sensor has an output which corresponds to a torque which is at least as great as the predetermined torque which occurs when turning of the front wheels during a second range of turning movement of the front wheels.

Abstract: A front steering gear (18) is connected with steerable front wheels (12 and 14) of a vehicle (10). A rear steering gear (28) is connected with steerable rear wheels (30 and 32) of the vehicle (10). A torque sensor (40) connected with a steering wheel (16) provides an output to a controller (42). The controller (42) effects operation of the rear steering gear (28) in response to an output of the torque sensor (40) corresponding to manual application of at least a predetermined force to the steering wheel (16). Alternatively or in addition, the controller (42) may effect operation of a rear wheel brake (50 or 52) which is disposed on a radially inner side of a turn in response to the output from the torque sensor (40).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) turns steerable wheels (14, 16) of a vehicle (12) having first (14) and second (16) sets of steerable wheels. The steering apparatus (10) includes first and second steering assemblies and a braking mechanism (200). The first steering assembly is actuatable to effect turning of the first set (14) of steerable wheels. The second steering assembly is actuatable to effect turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels. The braking mechanism (200) locks the second set of steerable wheels (16) in position in response to a failure of the second steering assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering gear assembly (20) which is connected with a steerable vehicle wheel (12). A first sensor (26) has an output signal which is a function of steering wheel position. A second sensor (28) has an output signal which is a function of steerable wheel position. A controller (30) is operable to provide an output signal when the steerable vehicle wheel position does not correspond to the steering wheel position. A motor (34) is connected with a differential gear mechanism (36). The motor (34) is operable in response to the output signal from the controller (30) to effect operation of the differential gear mechanism (36) to actuate the steering gear assembly (20) and change the position of the steerable vehicle wheel (12).

Abstract: A front steering gear (18) is connected with steerable front wheels (12 and 14) of a vehicle (10). A rear steering gear (28) is connected with steerable rear wheels (30 and 32) of the vehicle (10). A torque sensor (40) connected with a steering wheel (16) provides an output to a controller (42). The controller (42) effects operation of the rear steering gear (28) in response to an output of the torque sensor (40) corresponding to manual application of at least a predetermined force to the steering wheel (16). Alternatively or in addition, the controller (42) may effect operation of a rear wheel brake (50 or 52) which is disposed on a radially inner side of a turn in response to the output from the torque sensor (40).

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering gear assembly (20) which is connected with a steerable vehicle wheel (12). A first sensor (26) has an output signal which is a function of steering wheel position. A second sensor (28) has an output signal which is a function of steerable wheel position. A controller (30) is operable to provide an output signal when the steerable vehicle wheel position does not correspond to the steering wheel position. A motor (34) is connected with a differential gear mechanism (36). The motor (34) is operable in response to the output signal from the controller (30) to effect operation of the differential gear mechanism (36) to actuate the steering gear assembly (20) and change the position of the steerable vehicle wheel (12).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle having first and second sets (14 and 16) of steerable wheels comprises a first steering gear (22) actuatable, in response to rotation of a handwheel (110), to effect turning of the first set (14) of steerable wheels. The steering apparatus (10) also comprises second and third steering gears (24 and 26), each of which is independently actuatable to effect turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels and thereby providing redundancy for turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels. A sensor (112) senses a steering position of the first set (14) of steerable wheels and provides a steering signal indicative of the sensed steering position. A controller (114) receives the steering signal and, in response to the steering signal, controls actuation of the second and third steering gears (24 and 26).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle having first and second sets (14 and 16) of steerable wheels comprises a first steering gear (22) actuatable, in response to rotation of a handwheel (110), to effect turning of the first set (14) of steerable wheels. The steering apparatus (10) also comprises second and third steering gears (24 and 26), each of which is independently actuatable to effect turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels and thereby providing redundancy for turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels. A sensor (112) senses a steering position of the first set (14) of steerable wheels and provides a steering signal indicative of the sensed steering position. A controller (114) receives the steering signal and, in response to the steering signal, controls actuation of the second and third steering gears (24 and 26).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a vehicle steering wheel (12) comprises a first assembly (16), a second assembly (26), and a mechanism (108). The first assembly (16) is operatively coupled to the steering wheel (12) and includes components (18 and 22) for monitoring applied torque and angular rotation of the steering wheel. The second assembly (26) includes a steering gear (34) and components (28 and 30) for receiving the first signal and actuating the steering gear (34) in response to the first signal. The mechanism (108) when in a first mode of operation provides a mechanical connection between the steering wheel (12) and the steering gear (34). When the mechanism (108) is in the second mode of operation, the steering wheel (12) and the steering gear (34) lack a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a vehicle steering wheel (12) comprises a first assembly (16), a second assembly (26), and a mechanism (108). The first assembly (16) is operatively coupled to the steering wheel (12) and includes components (18 and 22) for monitoring applied torque and angular rotation of the steering wheel. The second assembly (26) includes a steering gear (34) and components (28 and 30) for receiving the first signal and actuating the steering gear (34) in response to the first signal. The mechanism (108) when in a first mode of operation provides a mechanical connection between the steering wheel (12) and the steering gear (34). When the mechanism (108) is in the second mode of operation, the steering wheel (12) and the steering gear (34) lack a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (20) includes a steering feel motor (50). A torque sensor (58) senses steering torque applied by a vehicle driver. A sensor (24) senses a characteristic of a driver and provides a signal indicative thereof. A hazard sensor (44) senses a potential steering hazard. The steering feel motor is controlled in response to the sensed driver characteristic and to any sensed potential steering hazard. Either open-loop or closed-loop control is provided for controlling the feel motor in response to sensed static and dynamic forces.