Drive-by-wire steering systems having steering wheel return mechanism

• US 6,708,794 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Menjak, Zdravko, Menjak, Ratko
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yeagley, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/060,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 180/402, 180/403, 180/406, 180/443, 180/444, 180/446, 702/52, 702/53, 701/41, 744/96, 463/37, 463/63, 267/150
• US Class Current: 180/402
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/001 Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/006 power actuated

Abstract

A drive-by wire steering system comprising a steering shaft and a steering wheel return mechanism is provided. The steering shaft comprises a first geared portion and a first end, where the first end is connectable to a vehicle'"'"'s steering wheel. The steering wheel return mechanism comprises a torsion spring and a second geared portion. The first geared portion and the second geared portion are operatively engaged such that a first angular displacement of the steering shaft about a first axis imparts a second angular displacement about a second axis to the steering wheel return mechanism. The torsion spring is configured to generate a returning torque on the steering wheel return mechanism upon the second angular displacement of the steering wheel return mechanism. The returning torque has a direction opposite the first angular displacement, and is proportional to the second angular displacement.

Claims

1. A drive-by wire steering system, comprising:

a steering shaft being configured for a first angular displacement about a first axis greater than 180°

, said steering shaft comprising a first geared portion and a first end, said first end being connectable to a vehicle'"'"'s steering wheel; and

a steering wheel return mechanism comprising a torsion member and a second geared portion, said first geared portion and said second geared portion being operatively engaged such that said first angular displacement of said steering shaft imparts a second angular displacement about a second axis to said steering wheel return mechanism, said torsion member being configured to generate a returning torque on said steering wheel return mechanism in response to said second angular displacement of said steering wheel return mechanism, said returning torque having a direction opposite said second angular displacement and being proportional to said second angular displacement.

2. The drive-by wire steering system of claim 1, wherein said first angular displacement has a range of about ±

540°

, while said second angular displacement has a range of about ±

140°

.

3. The drive-by wire steering system of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing being disposed about said steering wheel return mechanism, said steering shaft extending into said housing such that said first geared portion is disposed in said housing; and

a post disposed on said steering wheel return mechanism, said torsion member being secured to said housing at a finger such that said post acts as a fulcrum.

4. The drive-by wire steering system of claim 3, wherein said returning torque is equal to a torsion spring force of said torsion member multiplied by a distance the torsion spring force is applied from a centerline of said second axis.

5. The drive-by wire steering system of claim 3, wherein a first distance between a centerline of said second axis and a centerline of said first axis is equal to a second distance between said centerline of said first axis and a centerline of said post.