A vehicle steering system includes a clutch provided on a power transmission path extending from a steering wheel to steered wheels, a reactive-torque motor configured to apply a steering reactive torque to the steering wheel, a steering operation motor configured to steer the steered wheels, and a clutch engagement controller configured to engage the clutch when a steered angle of the steered wheels has reached a steered angle limit value and the steering wheel is rotated by an amount equal to or greater than a first prescribed value in a direction opposite to a direction toward a steering neutral position, with respect to a first steering angle that is a steering angle of the steering wheel at a time when the steered angle reaches the steered angle limit value, in a case where the clutch is in a disengaged state.

A vehicle steering system includes a clutch provided on a power transmission path extending from a steering wheel to steered wheels, a reactive-torque motor configured to apply a steering reactive torque to the steering wheel, a steering operation motor configured to steer the steered wheels, and a clutch engagement controller configured to engage the clutch when a steered angle of the steered wheels has reached a steered angle limit value and the steering wheel is rotated by an amount equal to or greater than a first prescribed value in a direction opposite to a direction toward a steering neutral position, with respect to a first steering angle that is a steering angle of the steering wheel at a time when the steered angle reaches the steered angle limit value, in a case where the clutch is in a disengaged state.

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a steering assist unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data, and third accelerometer data then comparing and calculating differences between the first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data and the third accelerometer data to determine a relative movement values for the second and third locations. The relative movement value represents the contraction or expansion of separate systems as they independently move at or near the second and third locations. The method further includes outputting a control signal to control the travel of the steering assist unit based on the relative movement values.

A method for determining a driver's manual torque at a steering wheel of a vehicle which includes sensing a steering angle speed by a steering angle sensor, sensing a steering torque by a steering torque sensor at a steering column connected to the steering wheel, estimating a driver's manual torque applied by a driver at the steering wheel based on the sensed steering angle speed and the sensed steering torque by a Kalman filter by a controller, wherein during the estimation of the driver's manual torque a frictional torque is considered, and the frictional torque is estimated based on the steering torque which is sensed by the steering torque sensor, wherein the estimated frictional torque is taken into account as an interference factor during the estimation of the driver's manual torque in the Kalman filter. Also disclosed is an associated device.

The universal wheel includes a base member, a connection member, a wheel member, a first driving element, and a second driving element. The connection member has a first end fixed to a top side of the base member. The wheel member is rotatably joined to the base member. The first driving element is configured on the base member for rotating the base member laterally within 360 degrees. The second driving element is for rotating the wheel member. The universal wheel can be turned 360 degrees when standing in place, and can be moved forward, laterally, slantwise, rotationally, or in a combination of these operations.

The power control unit sets a drive interval for driving the sensor by providing power intermittently to the sensor to a first time interval when no change is detected in the sine-wave signal and the cosine-wave signal, sets to the second time interval that is shorter than the first time interval when a change in only one of the sine-wave signal and the cosine-wave signal is detected, and sets to the third time interval that is shorter than the second time interval when a change in one of the sine-wave signal and the cosine-wave signal is detected and then a change in the other is detected.

The invention relates to a gear reducer (1) for an assisted-steering module, including a casing (3), a worm (4) which meshes with a worm wheel (6), and a spring (10) for taking up gear play, which presses said worm (4) radially against the worm wheel (6), the wall of the casing (3) being bored, away from of the axis (XX′) of the worm, with an opening (14) sealed by a plug (15), the spring (10) for taking up gear play including at least one retaining lug (17, 18) which projects radially to the axis (XX′) of the worm (4), and the hub (20) of the plug (15) having a guiding wall (21) that is substantially transverse to the axis (XX′) of the worm (4), which is designed to be placed axially opposite said at least one retaining lug (17, 18), in order to prevent the axial movement of the spring (10) beyond a predetermined functional travel.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a steering assist system, a steering wheel, and a steering controller to detect a request to move the steering wheel of the vehicle to a first rotational position, the steering wheel having a second rotational position, actuate, via the steering assist system, the steering wheel towards the first rotational position, determine, based on a relationship between a first parameter and a second parameter, a third rotational position, the third rotational position having an angular offset from the first rotational position, the first parameter corresponding to a position of the steering system, the second parameter corresponding to a load on the steering system, and in response to reaching the third rotational position, disengage the steering assist system, the disengagement causing the steering wheel to rotate to the first rotational position.

The disclosure describes a housing cover unit for a transmission and power steering drive housing, comprising a housing cover and a control unit for regulating the position and/or speed of a power steering drive. To this end, the control unit is arranged on and attached to the housing cover. Also shown is a steering unit for a vehicle.

Provided is a water detection system and an electric power steering apparatus capable of preventing or reducing complication of an apparatus with respect to a water detection system including a water detection element and a determination circuit positioned separately from each other. The water detection system includes a transmission-side unit provided in an apparatus mounted on a vehicle of the electric power steering apparatus and including a water detection element, and a reception-side unit spaced apart from the transmission-side unit and including a determination circuit. The transmission-side unit wirelessly transmits an output signal of the water detection element, and the reception-side unit receives the output signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission-side unit.