Abstract: A steering column locking mechanism 130 includes a piston 176 located in a chamber in a housing 178. The locking mechanism 130 is in an engaged condition locking the steering column 10 against movement relative to a frame of a vehicle when the piston 176 is in a first position (FIG. 2). The locking mechanism 130 is in a disengaged condition in which the locking mechanism is ineffective to lock the steering column 10 when the piston is in a second position (FIG. 3). The first pressure is continuously applied to a relatively small area on a first side 256 of the piston 176 to retain the piston in the first position and to retain the locking mechanism 130 in the engaged condition. Pressure is applied to a relatively large area on a second side 272 of the piston 176 to move the piston from the first position to the second position against the influence of the first pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the position of a steering wheel (16) includes an actuating system (22) operatively connected to the steering column assembly (18) for adjusting the position of a steering wheel (16). The actuating system (22) is operable to move the steering wheel (16) along a central axis of the steering column assembly (18) and operable to tilt the steering wheel relative to the central axis of the steering column assembly (18). The apparatus further includes at least one weight sensor (102) operatively associated with a driver's seat (100) for sensing a driver's weight on the seat. The weight sensor (102) outputs a signal which is a function of the sensed weight. The apparatus includes a controller (54) that receives the signal and outputs a control signal to the actuating system (22) to adjust the position of the steering wheel (16) based on the weight on the seat (100).

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a force sensor which is operable to provide an output signal in response to manual application of force to a steering wheel. An actuator is connected with a steering column assembly and is operable to adjust the steering column assembly to change the steering wheel position in response to the output signal from the force sensor.

Abstract: A steering column locking mechanism 130 includes a piston 176 located in a chamber in a housing 178. The locking mechanism 130 is in an engaged condition locking the steering column 10 against movement relative to a frame of a vehicle when the piston 176 is in a first position (FIG. 2). The locking mechanism 130 is in a disengaged condition in which the locking mechanism is ineffective to lock the steering column 10 when the piston is in a second position (FIG. 3). The first pressure is continuously applied to a relatively small area on a first side 256 of the piston 176 to retain the piston in the first position and to retain the locking mechanism 130 in the engaged condition. Pressure is applied to a relatively large area on a second side 272 of the piston 176 to move the piston from the first position to the second position against the influence of the first pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering wheel motor (20) which is connected with a steering wheel (12) of a vehicle. The steering wheel motor (20) is energizable by electric current to resist rotation of the steering wheel (12). A variable resistor (60) is connected in parallel with the steering wheel motor (20) and is adjustable to vary the electric current which energizes the steering wheel motor. A road wheel steering motor (16) is connectable with steerable road engaging wheels of the vehicle. The road wheel steering motor (16) is energizable by electric current to effect turning movement of steerable road-engaging wheels in response to rotation of the steering wheel (12). The variable resistor (66) is connected in parallel with the road wheel steering motor (16) and is adjustable to vary electric current which energizes the road wheel steering motor.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering wheel motor (20) which is connected with a steering wheel (12) of a vehicle. The steering wheel motor (20) is energizable by electric current to resist rotation of the steering wheel (12). A variable resistor (60) is connected in parallel with the steering wheel motor (20) and is adjustable to vary the electric current which energizes the steering wheel motor. A road wheel steering motor (16) is connectable with steerable road engaging wheels of the vehicle. The road wheel steering motor (16) is energizable by electric current to effect turning movement of steerable road-engaging wheels in response to rotation of the steering wheel (12). The variable resistor (66) is connected in parallel with the road wheel steering motor (16) and is adjustable to vary electric current which energizes the road wheel steering motor.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning the steerable wheels (17) of a vehicle in response to the turning of the steering wheel (12). The apparatus (10) includes a drive mechanism (16), a first motor (24), a second motor (74), a sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative, and a torque sensor (80). In response to the turning of the steering wheel (12), the drive mechanism (16), is actuated, resulting in a turning the steerable wheels (17). The first motor (24), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is hydraulically powered. The second motor (74), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is electrically powered. The sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative produces an enabling signal and communicates the enabling signal to the second motor (74) to enable the operation of the second motor (74). The torque sensor (80) responds to the turning of the steering wheel (12) and controls the second motor (74) when the second motor (74) is enabled.

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle (12) having a steerable road wheel (14) includes a steering member (30) supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member. A vehicle suspension part (22) supports the steering member (30) for pivotal movement about a steering axis (42). The vehicle suspension part (22) has a housing portion (26) defining a chamber (50). A piston (52) is located in the chamber (50) and divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions (56, 58). The piston (52) is movable in response to changes in fluid pressure in the chamber portions (56, 58). An output shaft (90) is rotatable in opposite directions in response to movement of the piston (52) in opposite directions. The output shaft (90) is connected to the steering member (30) to pivot the steering member about the steering axis (42) upon rotation of the output shaft.