Intermediate Shaft Assembly for Steer-by-Wire Steering System
First Claim
1. A steer-by-wire steering system comprising:
- a steering wheel;
a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith;
a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear;
an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear;
a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode; and
an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when electrical communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith. Further included is a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode. Further included is an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A steer-by-wire steering system comprising:
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a steering wheel; a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith; a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear; an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear; a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode; and an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when electrical communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An intermediate shaft assembly of a steer-by-wire steering system comprising:
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an outer shaft operatively coupled to a first joint; an inner shaft operatively coupled to a second joint, a portion of the inner shaft disposed within an interior of the outer shaft to form an overlapped region of the inner shaft and the outer shaft, the inner shaft and the outer shaft mechanically coupling a steering shaft to a steering gear input shaft; a first plurality of splines disposed on an inner surface of the outer shaft; and a second plurality of splines disposed on an outer surface of the inner shaft, the first plurality of splines and the second plurality of splines having a clearance therebetween, the first and second plurality of splines engageable when communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification