A drive-by-wire steering system for a power equipment device is provided. One example embodiment comprises a steering interface system, a power steering system, and a communication link connecting the steering interface system and power steering system. The power steering system can adjust steering angle of wheels of the power equipment device based on inputs received from the steering interface system. The steering interface system can receive user inputs and provide powered feedback and/or a simulated caster effect via a steering interface. Additional embodiments include power equipment devices and steering interface systems.

A steering device includes: an offset correction value storing section to store an offset correction value including a first offset correction value and a second offset correction value, the first offset value being a current value for correcting the first sensed current signal so that a value of a vibration of the electric motor is equal to or smaller than a first predetermined value when the motor rotation speed signal is a first rotation speed, and the second offset value being a current value for correcting the first sensed current signal so that the value of the vibration of the electric motor is equal to or smaller than a second predetermined value when the motor rotation speed signal is a second rotation speed.

A vehicle can include a first wheel, a second wheel, and a steering system. Either both the first wheel and the second wheel can be front wheels or both the first wheel and the second wheel can be rear wheels. The steering system can be configured to concurrently cause: (1) a steering angle of the first wheel to be at a first angle and (2) a steering angle of the second wheel to be at a second angle. A difference angle can be a difference of the first angle subtracted from the second angle and can be greater than an angle determined to comply with Ackermann steering geometry. Such a difference angle can act to securely brake the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at a location at which a three-dimensional shape of a topological relief of the location can complicate an effort to securely brake the vehicle.

A device for estimating a factor of one-side pull to be generated at a vehicle includes one or more sensors, a calculator, and an estimator. The one or more sensors are configured to detect an acting force on one or more sensors wheels. The calculator is configured to calculate a position of a center of a ground contact load based on information outputted by the one or more sensors. The estimator is configured to estimate the factor based on a lateral displacement of the center of the ground contact load.

A steer-by-wire vehicle includes a steering actuator configured to turn a wheel and a reaction actuator configure to apply a torque to a steering wheel. An electronic control unit of a control apparatus for the vehicle is configured to execute normal steering control for turning the wheel and applying a reaction torque to the steering wheel according to a rotation of the steering wheel, and, when an activation condition including that the normal steering control is not needed is satisfied, execute rotation suppression control for suppressing the rotation of the steeling wheel without prohibiting the rotation of the steering wheel. Specifically, the electronic control unit is configured to, based on a steering speed or a steering torque, determine a rotation suppression torque for suppressing the rotation of the steering wheel, and control the reaction actuator such that the rotation suppression torque is applied to the steering wheel.

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering column having a pinion connected with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in rotation of the pinion. An electrically powered steering unit includes an electric motor having a first output shaft rotatable about an axis. A first planetary gear stage has a first gear reduction ratio and is driven by the first output shaft. A second planetary gear stage is driven by the first planetary gear stage and the pinion and has a second gear reduction ratio different from the first gear reduction ratio. A second output shaft is driven by the second planetary gear stage and coupled to the steerable wheels such that rotation of the second output shaft affects steering of the vehicle wheels.

A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.

In a steer-by-wire steering apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, a structure for preventing rotation of a sliding bar in order to allow the sliding bar to slide in the axial direction by the torque of a motor or a structure for determining a position to which the sliding bar moves can be more simply implemented, whereby the number of components can be reduced, the assembly process can be simplified, and the cost can be significantly reduced.

A steer-by-wire device for controlling a vehicle includes a housing; an input shaft that is rotatable relative to the housing and is configured to receive a rotary input from an operator of the vehicle at a first end of the input shaft, the first end being located external to the housing; a rotor attached to the input shaft at a second, opposite, end of the input shaft, the second end being located internal to the housing; a sensor for detecting an angular position, an angular velocity, and/or an angular acceleration of the input shaft relative to the housing; and a coil for generating a magnetic field to generate a rotary force or torque in the rotor to resist rotation of the rotor. The rotor is attached to the input shaft to allow a relative movement between at least a portion of the rotor and the input shaft.

Provided is a vehicle equipped with a steer-by-wire type steering device and designed to ensure that a wheel-turning actuator is activated before the vehicle starts traveling, thereby improving the reliability of steering while the vehicle is traveling. A vehicle 1 includes: a steering member 15 for receiving steering operations; a wheel-turning actuator 19 mechanically separated from the steering member 15 and configured to turn wheels; a state switching device 6 for switching between a fixed state in which the vehicle is fixed at a current position and a release state in which the vehicle is released from being fixed at the current position; and a control device 9 for controlling the wheel-turning actuator 19 and the state switching device 6, wherein the control device permits the state switching device to switch from the fixed state to the release state only on or after completion of activation of the wheel-turning actuator.