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Steering apparatus for automotive vehicle

  • US 5,893,430 A
  • Filed: 01/27/1997
  • Issued: 04/13/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A steering apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a steering shaft directly connected at one end thereof with a steering gear and provided at the other end thereof with a steering wheel to be rotated by steering effort applied thereto and a planetary gear set assembled with said steering shaft,wherein said planetary gear set comprises an output element mounted on said steering shaft for rotation therewith, an input element rotatably mounted on said steering shaft to be rotated by an actuator assembled therewith, a reaction element rotatably mounted on said steering shaft to be retained in place by a reaction mechanism assembled therewith, and an intermediate element supported by said reaction element and disposed between said output element and said input element to transmit there through input torque applied from said input element to said output element, and wherein said actuator is arranged to apply the input torque to said input element when it is activated to effect automatic steering operation of the vehicle and to act as a reaction element of said input element when it is deactivated to effect manual operation of said steering wheel, while said reaction mechanism is arranged to permit free rotation of said reaction element in a condition where said actuator is being deactivated and to retain said reaction element in place in a condition where said actuator is being activated.

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