Abstract: A rack electric power steering system includes a rack having a single set of teeth with a constant tooth pitch. The system also includes a first pinion operatively coupled to a steering shaft and in meshed engagement with the single set of teeth of the rack. The system further includes a second pinion operatively coupled to an electric motor and in meshed engagement with the single set of teeth of the rack.

Abstract: A rack bar blank for a steering system includes a first region having a first diameter. The rack bar blank also includes a second region having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter prior to formation of teeth on the second region and a ball screw thread on the first region.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a rack and an adjustment assembly. The rack has a first side surface, a second side surface disposed opposite the first side surface, a first surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface, and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface. The adjustment assembly is arranged to apply orthogonal biasing forces to a pair of orthogonal surfaces of the non-cylindrical steering rack.

Abstract: A rack bar blank for a steering system includes a first region having a first diameter. The rack bar blank also includes a second region having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter prior to formation of teeth on the second region and a ball screw thread on the first region.

Abstract: A rack bar blank for a steering system is provided. The rack bar blank includes a first region having a circular cross-section. The rack bar blank also includes a second region having a flattened surface along a length thereof, the flattened surface present prior to formation of teeth.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a rack and an adjustment assembly. The rack has a first side surface, a second side surface disposed opposite the first side surface, a first surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface, and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface. The adjustment assembly is arranged to apply orthogonal biasing forces to a pair of orthogonal surfaces of the non-cylindrical steering rack.

Abstract: A system to control a contact force and a positional relationship between members in operable communication is provided. The system comprises a first member, a second member in operable communication with the first member, a contact force and a positional relationship existing between the first member and the second member. The system further comprises first biasing members being configured to bias and position the first member, the contact force and positional relationship being influenced by a response of the first biasing members to the contact forces between the members in operable communication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.

Abstract: A steering system with reduced coupling between a position overlay unit and a torque overlay unit may include a remote valve assembly for controlling a hydraulic assist force or an electric motor for providing torque overlay and electric assist to a rack of a rack and pinion steering system. In one embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the assist force and the torque overlay unit may provide a motor command signal to the motor of a differential positioned on a steering shaft. In another embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the motor command signal and the torque overlay unit may provide the assist force. In either embodiment, the position overlay unit may include variable ratio gain that uses a position signal to output a variable ratio command.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first section having a first plurality of teeth and at least a portion of the first section is made of a compliant material. There is also a second section having a second plurality of teeth. The second section is made of a stiff material. The first section is arranged axially adjacent to the second section and each of the first plurality of teeth has a tooth flank that changes axially across the tooth flank. A method for manufacturing a gear arrangement includes fabricating a first gear, which includes a first plurality of teeth, and a bearing from a compliant material. The method also includes mounting a second gear, which includes a second plurality of teeth, to the bearing, aligning the first plurality of teeth with the second plurality of teeth, and coupling the first gear with the second gear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system to control a contact force and a positional relationship between members in operable communication. The system comprising, a first member, a second member in operable communication with the first member, and a contact force and a positional relationship exists between the first member and the second member. The system further comprising first biasing members being configured to bias and position the first member, and the contact force and positional relationship are influenced by a response of the first biasing members to the contact forces between the members in operable communication.

Abstract: A steering system includes a differential transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, a rotary input device attached to the input shaft, a movable steering effector in operable communication with the output shaft, an angular-to-linear converter which converts a rotative motion of the output shaft to a linear motion that acts to move the steering effector. The motion of the steering effector enables path alteration of a vehicle. The steering system also includes an electromotive actuator in operable communication with the differential transmission. An activated electromotive actuator provides an active alteration of a speed change between a speed of the input shaft and a speed of the output shaft and a deactivated electromotive actuator provides a default speed change between the speed of the input shaft and the speed of the output shaft.

Abstract: An active steering system with variable assist includes a differential actuator having an input gear and an output gear. The differential actuator has a default kinematic relationship between the input gear and the output gear such that magnitude of an output speed and an output torque is approximately equal to a magnitude of an input speed and an input torque with opposing directions. The system also includes an input device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and an output device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator. The differential actuator is operable to vary a ratio between the input device and the output device. The system also includes a steering mechanism that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and the steering mechanism is configured to reverse the opposing directions to the output device.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle that provides synchronization capability to an actuator of a steerable device and an actuator of a steering input device includes a steering input device actuator operably connected to the steering input device of the vehicle and a steerable device actuator operably connected to the steerable device of the vehicle. The steerable device actuator is disposed in electronic communication with the steering input device actuator. The electronic communication is defined such that synchronous positioning of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator can be effectuated by the system upon startup of the vehicle. A method of using the system includes initiating operation of the system by turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle and evaluating an initial condition of the vehicle. The initial condition is associated to the positions of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first section having a first plurality of teeth and at least a portion of the first section is made of a compliant material. There is also a second section having a second plurality of teeth. The second section is made of a stiff material. The first section is arranged axially adjacent to the second section and each of the first plurality of teeth has a tooth flank that changes axially across the tooth flank. A method for manufacturing a gear arrangement includes fabricating a first gear, which includes a first plurality of teeth, and a bearing from a compliant material. The method also includes mounting a second gear, which includes a second plurality of teeth, to the bearing, aligning the first plurality of teeth with the second plurality of teeth, and coupling the first gear with the second gear.

Abstract: An active steering system with variable assist includes a differential actuator having an input gear and an output gear. The differential actuator has a default kinematic relationship between the input gear and the output gear such that magnitude of an output speed and an output torque is approximately equal to a magnitude of an input speed and an input torque with opposing directions. The system also includes an input device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and an output device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator. The differential actuator is operable to vary a ratio between the input device and the output device. The system also includes a steering mechanism that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and the steering mechanism is configured to reverse the opposing directions to the output device.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided. The steering system comprises a steering input device, a steering output device, a display unit, and a position control system. The position control system controls the position of the steering output device based upon an input from the steering input device. The display unit provides visual feedback of the position of the steering output device to an operator.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle that provides synchronization capability to an actuator of a steerable device and an actuator of a steering input device includes a steering input device actuator operably connected to the steering input device of the vehicle and a steerable device actuator operably connected to the steerable device of the vehicle. The steerable device actuator is disposed in electronic communication with the steering input device actuator. The electronic communication is defined such that synchronous positioning of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator can be effectuated by the system upon startup of the vehicle. A method of using the system includes initiating operation of the system by turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle and evaluating an initial condition of the vehicle. The initial condition is associated to the positions of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train.