Abstract: A turning method for turning a steered wheel of a vehicle includes detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel; detecting an actual turning angle. The actual turning angle is an actual turning angle of the steered wheel. The method includes calculating a target turning angle of the steered wheel according to the detected steering angle. The method includes calculating a turning force command value to cause the actual turning angle to coincide with the target turning angle, based on a difference between the actual turning angle and the target turning angle. The method includes delaying a phase of the turning force command value with respect to the detected steering angle; and generating turning force to turn the steered wheel in accordance with the turning force command value having a phase delayed.

Abstract: A steering wheel is coupled to a steering gear via a steering shaft, an intermediate shaft, a clutch input shaft and a clutch output shaft. When viewed in a vehicle transverse direction, a tilt angle ? of the clutch input shaft relative to the horizontal plane is set to be smaller than a tilt angle ? of the intermediate shaft relative to the horizontal plane. A steering column is supported by a vehicle body via a tilt pivot for adjusting a tilt position. Even when the steering column is located at any tilt position, the relationship of ?<? is set to be maintained when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. The center position of a universal joint between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is misaligned with the center position of the tilt pivot when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus and vehicle steering control method make it possible to suppress a steering state of a steering operation element from being different from the driver's intention, in starting the driving source. A backup clutch, which is switchable between a release state where a torque transmission path is mechanically decoupled and an engagement state where the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled, is set to the engagement state in starting the engine. When the steering torque detected after the engine starts becomes equal to or lower than a clutch release start torque, the backup clutch in the engagement state is switched to the release state.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus and vehicle steering control method make it possible to suppress a steering state of a steering operation element from being different from the driver's intention, in starting the driving source. A backup clutch, which is switchable between a release state where a torque transmission path is mechanically decoupled and an engagement state where the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled, is set to the engagement state in starting the engine. When the steering torque detected after the engine starts becomes equal to or lower than a clutch release start torque, the backup clutch in the engagement state is switched to the release state.

Abstract: A steering wheel is coupled to a steering gear via a steering shaft, an intermediate shaft, a clutch input shaft and a clutch output shaft. When viewed in a vehicle transverse direction, a tilt angle ? of the clutch input shaft relative to the horizontal plane is set to be smaller than a tilt angle ? of the intermediate shaft relative to the horizontal plane. A steering column is supported by a vehicle body via a tilt pivot for adjusting a tilt position. Even when the steering column is located at any tilt position, the relationship of ?<? is set to be maintained when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. The center position of a universal joint between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is misaligned with the center position of the tilt pivot when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system is provided with a driver operating unit, a turning unit, a backup mechanism, a steering reaction actuator, a wheel turning actuator and a controller. The backup mechanism mechanically connects the driver operating unit to the turning unit via a first shaft to transmit an input torque from the driver operating unit to the turning unit when the driver operating unit and the turning unit are mechanically connected by the backup mechanism. The steering reaction actuator applies a steering reaction torque to the driver operating unit. The wheel turning actuator applies a wheel turning torque to the turning unit via a second shaft. The controller controls the wheel turning actuator and the steering reaction actuator. The controller is configured to control the steering reaction actuator based on an operating parameter of the wheel turning actuator.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus is provided with first and a second steering mechanisms serving to assist a steering force exerted by a driver via a steering wheel. The first steering mechanism employs a first electric motor to apply a rotational torque to a pinion shaft, and the second steering mechanism uses a hydraulic oil pressure to apply a thrusting force to a rack bar.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus has a steering wheel, a steering mechanism mechanically separate from the steering wheel for steering the left and right front wheels and a reaction force motor for imparting an operation reaction force against the steering wheel. A steering motor is provided to impart a turning force to the steering mechanism, while a clutch is provided to mechanically connect and disconnect the steering wheel to and from the steering mechanism. A drive torque detector is provided to detect a drive torque imparted to the steering reaction force actuator. A torque sensor is provided to detect an operating torque imparted to the steering wheel. A clutch connection determiner determines that the clutch is in a connected state when a drive torque direction detected by the drive torque detector and an operating torque direction detected by the operating torque detector are different.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus is provided, including a steering wheel, steered wheels, a direction varying actuator to operate the steering control wheels, a steering reaction actuator to apply steering reaction torque to the steering wheel and steering controller. The steered wheels are mechanically disconnected from the steering wheel. The steering controller outputs control commands for controlling the direction varying actuator and the steering reaction actuator.

Abstract: A steering control system comprises a steering component, a turning component, and a backup mechanism for alternately mechanically separating and linking steering and turning components. A steer-by-wire control unit is provided for executing steer-by-wire control of a turning actuator to a turning angle corresponding to a steering condition and control of a steering reaction force actuator for imparting steering reaction force corresponding to the turning condition. A steering assistance control unit is selectively linked to the backup mechanism to executing steering assistance control for at least one of the steering reaction force actuator and the turning actuator. A control switching unit is provided for controlling a shift, under predetermined conditions, between control by the steer-by-wire control unit and control by the steering assistance control unit.

Abstract: A steering device includes a first housing, first and second cables, and first and second sheaths. The first housing includes a first part that supports a rotatable first cable pulley, and a second part that is disposed for relative displacement with respect to the first part. The first cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a first direction of rotation. The second cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a second direction of rotation. The first sheath surrounds the first cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the first sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing. The second sheath surrounds the second cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the second sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a cable, a pulley, and a securing portion. The cable transmits movement of an operating unit operated by a driver to a turning unit that turns a steering control wheel. The pulley winds up the cable. The securing portion secures an end of the cable to the pulley. A restricting member is provided at the pulley. The cable is wound up along a winding groove, which is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the pulley. As the pulley is rotated, the cable is brought into contact with the winding groove by the restricting member. The restricting member is disposed at a location that is separated from the securing portion along the winding groove by a predetermined length.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system is disclosed that includes a steering portion, a steered portion, and a clutch mechanism. The steering portion includes operations input mechanism and a reaction adding device. The steered portion includes steering controlled wheels and a steered force adding device. The clutch mechanism mechanically connects the steering portion and steered portion through an engagement. The clutch mechanism has a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil so as to form an electromagnetic clutch that releases when a current is applied such that a magnetic force in the direction that cancels a magnetic force of the permanent magnet is generated for the electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic clutch engages when a current is not applied to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a steerable vehicle includes a steering unit, an operating unit, a backup unit, and a control unit. The backup unit selectively connects/disconnects the steering unit and the operating unit. The control unit is operable in two control modes including an SBW mode and a PS mode. In the SBW mode, the control unit separates the steering unit from the operating unit; controls a steer angle of the vehicle in accordance with a manual steering effort; and switches the control mode from the SBW mode to the PS mode when an SBW-to-PS mode switch condition is satisfied, the SBW-to-PS mode switch condition including a condition that the steer angle is larger than or equal to a first threshold angle. In the PS mode, the control unit connects the steering unit and the operating unit; controls an assist steering effort to boost the manual steering effort.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering input section having at least a steering wheel to which steering input is applied, and a steering output section having at least a steering rack shaft and operatively associated with left and right steered wheels for steering the steered wheels by steering-rack-shaft movement produced by a steering force determined based on the steering input and transmitted directly or indirectly to the steering rack shaft. The steering rack shaft is split into left and right movable rack shaft portions. Also provided is a steer angle converter enabling a differential rack stroke between left and right rack strokes of the left and right movable rack shaft portions. The steer angle converter is constructed by at least one of a variable-pitch dual rack arrangement and a dual taper-pulley arrangement of a cable back-up mechanism.

Abstract: A steering device includes a first housing, first and second cables, and first and second sheaths. The first housing includes a first part that supports a rotatable first cable pulley, and a second part that is disposed for relative displacement with respect to the first part. The first cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a first direction of rotation. The second cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a second direction of rotation. The first sheath surrounds the first cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the first sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing. The second sheath surrounds the second cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the second sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus has a steering wheel, a steering mechanism mechanically separate from the steering wheel for steering the left and right front wheels and a reaction force motor for imparting an operation reaction force against the steering wheel. A steering motor is provided to impart a turning force to the steering mechanism, while a clutch is provided to mechanically connect and disconnect the steering wheel to and from the steering mechanism. A drive torque detector is provided to detect a drive torque imparted to the steering reaction force actuator. A torque sensor is provided to detect an operating torque imparted to the steering wheel. A clutch connection determiner determines that the clutch is in a connected state when a drive torque direction detected by the drive torque detector and an operating torque direction detected by the operating torque detector are different.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive steer-by-wire device that reduces occurrence of mis-engagement that has plagued previous devices. The automotive steering device of the present invention is equipped with a backup unit that engages and releases, an operating unit and a rotary steering unit, wherein the backup unit includes a backup clutch, configured by an outer ring, an inner ring, and rollers. The rollers are provided so as work with one with a lower rotational speed between the outer ring and the inner ring, in a state that the rollers release the outer ring and the inner ring.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a cable, a pulley, and a securing portion. The cable transmits movement of an operating unit operated by a driver to a turning unit that turns a steering control wheel. The pulley winds up the cable. The securing portion secures an end of the cable to the pulley. A restricting member is provided at the pulley. The cable is wound up along a winding groove, which is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the pulley. As the pulley is rotated, the cable is brought into contact with the winding groove by the restricting member. The restricting member is disposed at a location that is separated from the securing portion along the winding groove by a predetermined length.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system is provided with a driver operating unit, a turning unit, a backup mechanism, a steering reaction actuator, a wheel turning actuator and a controller. The backup mechanism mechanically connects the driver operating unit to the turning unit via a first shaft to transmit an input torque from the driver operating unit to the turning unit when the driver operating unit and the turning unit are mechanically connected by the backup mechanism. The steering reaction actuator applies a steering reaction torque to the driver operating unit. The wheel turning actuator applies a wheel turning torque to the turning unit via a second shaft. The controller controls the wheel turning actuator and the steering reaction actuator. The controller is configured to control the steering reaction actuator based on an operating parameter of the wheel turning actuator.