Abstract: A vehicle steering device and method for controlling steering of a steer-by-wire vehicle. A steering instrument receives input from a driver and a turning device turns the wheel(s). A selectively engageable backup clutch is positioned between the steering instrument and the turning device. Whether or not the backup clutch is engaged is based a steering state signal from the steering instrument and a turning state signal from the turning device.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering device and control method, a selectively engageable clutch is positioned between a steering wheel and a turning mechanism for turning at least one wheel. The clutch has an engaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically connected to the turning mechanism and a disengaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically separated from the turning mechanism for steer-by-wire control. During steer-by-wire control, a reaction force actuator applies a force to the steering wheel, and a turning actuator applies a torque to the turning mechanism. To prevent erroneous clutch engagement caused by an increase in relative angular acceleration between the steering angle and the turning angle, a controller detects an operating condition corresponding to a risk of erroneous clutch engagement and controls at least one of the turning actuator and the reaction force actuator to reduce the relative angular acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device and method for preventing steering wheel pull. A selectively engageable clutch is positioned between a steering wheel and a turning mechanism for turning at least one steered wheel. The clutch includes an engaging piece and has an engaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically connected to the turning mechanism and a disengaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically separated from the turning mechanism and steer-by-wire controls the at least one steered wheel. When the clutch is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, clutch release control is performed that provides a rotational angle of deviation between a steering wheel shaft connected to the steering wheel and the turning mechanism, the rotational angle of deviation provided in the direction of disengagement.

Abstract: In steering system and method for an automotive vehicle, a reaction force actuator is configured to provide a steering reaction force for the operation inputting section on the basis of a reaction force command value which accords with a state of steerable wheels, a steering actuator is configured to drive the steering mechanism on the basis of a turning angle command value which accords with a steering angle of the operation inputting section, a turning angle correction value setting section sets a turning angle correction value on the basis of the reaction force command value, and a turning angle command value correcting section subtracts the turning angle correction value from the turning angle command value, the turning angle correction value being set in such a manner that, as the reaction force command value becomes larger, the turning angle correction value becomes larger.

Abstract: A steering control device in which a steering portion including an electric steering reaction force actuator and a steered portion including an electric steered portion actuator are mechanically disconnectable and connectable via a backup connection. Steer-by-wire control disconnects the backup connection and uses control of the steered portion actuator to set a steered angle corresponding to the steering condition and using control of the steering reaction force actuator to add a steering reaction force corresponding to the steered condition. Steering assistance control connects the backup connection and adds a steering aid force using at least one of the steering reaction force actuator and the steered portion actuator. The power supply capacity of a steered vehicle is selectively estimated and if the estimated power supply capacity reaches a predetermined value or below during the steer-by-wire control, steering is switched to the steering assistance control.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering device and control method, a selectively engageable clutch is positioned between a steering wheel and a turning mechanism for turning at least one wheel. The clutch has an engaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically connected to the turning mechanism and a disengaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically separated from the turning mechanism for steer-by-wire control. During steer-by-wire control, a reaction force actuator applies a force to the steering wheel, and a turning actuator applies a torque to the turning mechanism. To prevent erroneous clutch engagement caused by an increase in relative angular acceleration between the steering angle and the turning angle, a controller detects an operating condition corresponding to a risk of erroneous clutch engagement and controls at least one of the turning actuator and the reaction force actuator to reduce the relative angular acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device and method for preventing steering wheel pull. A selectively engageable clutch is positioned between a steering wheel and a turning mechanism for turning at least one steered wheel. The clutch includes an engaging piece and has an engaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically connected to the turning mechanism and a disengaged position where the steering wheel is mechanically separated from the turning mechanism and steer-by-wire controls the at least one steered wheel. When the clutch is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, clutch release control is performed that provides a rotational angle of deviation between a steering wheel shaft connected to the steering wheel and the turning mechanism, the rotational angle of deviation provided in the direction of disengagement.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device and method for controlling steering of a steer-by-wire vehicle. A steering instrument receives input from a driver and a turning device turns the wheel(s). A selectively engageable backup clutch is positioned between the steering instrument and the turning device. Whether or not the backup clutch is engaged is based a steering state signal from the steering instrument and a turning state signal from the turning device.

Abstract: A steering control device in which a steering portion including an electric steering reaction force actuator and a steered portion including an electric steered portion actuator are mechanically disconnectable and connectable via backup means. A steer-by-wire control means is provided for disconnecting the backup means and performing steer-by-wire control using control of the steered portion actuator to set a steered angle corresponding to the steering condition and using control of the steering reaction force actuator to add a steering reaction force corresponding to the steered condition. A steering assistance control means is also provided for connecting the backup means and performing steering assistance control by adding a steering aid force using at least one of the steering reaction force actuator and the steered portion actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for process management includes a unit that receives a planned number of a product to be produced on a production line operated by a tact system in a predetermined operating time. The unit calculates a plurality of delivery times included in the predetermined operating time, and the unit outputs instructions indicating that a part applied to the product is to be brought to the production line from the warehouse for use in a process of a plurality of processes which form the production line. Each of the plurality of delivery times indicates a planned time at which the part stored in the process runs out. The quantity of parts stored in each of the processes of the production line can be reduced because the parts are delivered at the time at which the previously stored parts run out.

Abstract: A fail-safe steering system for a vehicle, which prevents movable elements of a backup mechanism from being dragged by motions of an associated one of a steering input section and a steering output section under normal operating conditions of the system, is provided. The fail-safe steering system includes two selectively engageable clutch mechanisms operatively connectable between the steering input section and the backup mechanism and between the backup mechanism and the steering output section. The fail-safe steering system also includes a mechanism for keeping the backup mechanism in the neutral condition during backup mechanism being mechanically separated under normal operating conditions of the system.

Abstract: In steering system and method for an automotive vehicle, a reaction force actuator is configured to provide a steering reaction force for the operation inputting section on the basis of a reaction force command value which accords with a state of steerable wheels, a steering actuator is configured to drive the steering mechanism on the basis of a turning angle command value which accords with a steering angle of the operation inputting section, a turning angle correction value setting section sets a turning angle correction value on the basis of the reaction force command value, and a turning angle command value correcting section subtracts the turning angle correction value from the turning angle command value, the turning angle correction value being set in such a manner that, as the reaction force command value becomes larger, the turning angle correction value becomes larger.

Abstract: In steering apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a turning section that turns steered road wheels is provided, a clutch is installed in a predetermined position in a midway through a steering system from an operation input section to the steered road wheels to link between the operation input section and the steered road wheels, a steering angle of the operation portion is detected, a turning angle is detected, an elastically deformable member is interposed between the operation portion and the turning portion to transmit a steering torque inputted from the operation input section to the steered road wheels when the clutch causes the operation input portion and the steered road wheels to be connected; and an angular deviation between the steering angle detection value and the turning angle detection value developed due to a deformation of the member is calculated.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering system, a steering mechanism includes an input section, and a steering section mechanically separated from the input section, and arranged to steer a vehicle. An actuating section includes a plurality of drive units for producing an actual torque to the steering mechanism. A controlling section includes a plurality of control units to control the drive units, respectively, in accordance with a common torque share calculated by one of the control units.

Abstract: A fail-safe steering system for a vehicle, which prevents movable elements of a backup mechanism from being dragged by motions of an associated one of a steering input section and a steering output section under normal operating conditions of the system, is provided. The fail-safe steering system includes two selectively engageable clutch mechanisms operatively connectable between the steering input section and the backup mechanism and between the backup mechanism and the steering output section. The fail-safe steering system also includes a mechanism for keeping the backup mechanism in the neutral condition during backup mechanism being mechanically separated under normal operating conditions of the system.

Abstract: In steering apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a turning section that turns steered road wheels is provided, a clutch is installed in a predetermined position in a midway through a steering system from an operation input section to the steered road wheels to link between the operation input section and the steered road wheels, a steering angle of the operation portion is detected, a turning angle is detected, an elastically deformable member is interposed between the operation portion and the turning portion to transmit a steering torque inputted from the operation input section to the steered road wheels when the clutch causes the operation input portion and the steered road wheels to be connected; and an angular deviation between the steering angle detection value and the turning angle detection value developed due to a deformation of the member is calculated.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering system, a steering mechanism includes an input section, and a steering section mechanically separated from the input section, and arranged to steer a vehicle. An actuating section includes a plurality of drive units for producing an actual torque to the steering mechanism. A controlling section includes a plurality of control units to control the drive units, respectively, in accordance with a common torque share calculated by one of the control units.