A clutch is configured to mechanically establish and disestablish a torque transmission path between an input shaft through which a torque is input and an output shaft through which the torque is output. The clutch includes a sun gear, an internal gear, planetary gears, and a carrier. The sun gear is configured to switch between a fixed state and a non-fixed state. The internal gear is coupled to the input shaft in a torque transmittable manner. The planetary gears are configured to mesh with the sun gear and the internal gear. The carrier is coupled to the output shaft in a torque transmittable manner and configured to support the planetary gears rotatably. The carrier includes a coupling portion to be coupled to a detachment member configured to detach the carrier from the clutch.

A sensor apparatus includes an interface circuit to which one of a digital sensor and an analog sensor is connected as a sensor that generates an electric signal corresponding to a physical quantity of a detection target and a CPU that calculates the physical quantity of the detection target based on the electric signal generated by the sensor. The interface circuit has a first power supply circuit, a second power supply circuit, a receiver including a receiver circuit, and an operation determination circuit. The first power supply circuit generates an operating voltage of the sensor. The second power supply circuit generates a synchronizing signal for the digital signal. The receiver circuit receives an electric signal generated by the digital sensor. The operation determination circuit stops an operation at least of the second power supply circuit when the analog sensor is used.

A sensor apparatus includes an interface circuit to which one of a digital sensor and an analog sensor is connected as a sensor that generates an electric signal corresponding to a physical quantity of a detection target and a CPU that calculates the physical quantity of the detection target based on the electric signal generated by the sensor. The interface circuit has a first power supply circuit, a second power supply circuit, a receiver including a receiver circuit, and an operation determination circuit. The first power supply circuit generates an operating voltage of the sensor. The second power supply circuit generates a synchronizing signal for the digital signal. The receiver circuit receives an electric signal generated by the digital sensor. The operation determination circuit stops an operation at least of the second power supply circuit when the analog sensor is used.

Technologies and techniques for determining a gear rack force of a steer-by-wire steering system that includes a steering handle, for specifying a steering angle as a function of a steering handle position. A vehicle wheel actuator is configured to set the steering angle by movement of a gear rack of the steering system, by applying an actuating force, the gear rack being coupled to at least one vehicle wheel. A reaction force actuator may produce a reaction force on the steering handle in accordance with a gear rack force. Friction operation is determined, in which gear rack movement does not occur when the steering handle position is changed, and, if friction operation is present, the gear rack force is determined on the basis of the actuating force of the vehicle wheel actuator.

A roll vibration damping control system includes an electronic control unit configured to: compute a sum of a product of a roll moment of inertia and a roll angular acceleration of a vehicle body, a product of a roll damping coefficient and a first-order integral of the roll angular acceleration, and a product of an equivalent roll stiffness of the vehicle and a second-order integral of the roll angular acceleration, as a controlled roll moment to be applied to the vehicle body; compute a roll moment around a center of gravity of a sprung mass as a correction roll moment, the roll moment being generated by lateral force on wheels due to roll motion; and compute a target roll moment based on a value obtained by correcting the controlled roll moment with the correction roll moment.

A steering gear for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle may include a coupling rod mounted in a steering gear housing. A threaded spindle may be formed on the coupling rod and surrounded by a spindle nut as part of a spiral gear. The coupling rod may be displaceable along a longitudinal axis by way of the spiral gear. The coupling rod can be mounted in the steering gear housing by way of a plain bearing so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis. The plain bearing is configured to compensate for thermal expansions between the steering gear housing and the spindle nut.

A vehicle adaptive steering control apparatus includes a front wheel steering mechanism having a right wheel steering portion and a left wheel steering portion. A left front wheel rotatably is coupled to the left wheel steering portion. A right front wheel rotatably coupled to the right wheel steering portion. A controller in electronic communication with a steer-by-wire steering wheel assembly and the front wheel steering mechanism operates the front wheel steering mechanism to turn the left front wheel and the right front wheel in accordance with Ackerman steering geometry. The controller is also configured to calculate toe angle adjustments for the right wheel steering portion relative to the left wheel steering portion and make the toe angle adjustments to right wheel steering portion and the left wheel steering portion during turning and steering movements effected by the right wheel steering portion and the left wheel steering portion.

A vehicle adaptive steering control apparatus includes a front wheel steering mechanism having a right wheel steering portion and a left wheel steering portion that are independently operable relative to one another. A load detection device measures a condition indicative of vehicle loads at one of the following: the left and right suspension structures and the front wheel steering mechanism. A controller in electronic communication with a steer-by-wire steering wheel assembly, the front wheel steering mechanism and the load detection device, calculates toe angle adjustments for each of the right wheel steering portion and the left wheel steering portion in response to determining a load on each of a left front wheel and a right front wheel based on signals from the load detection device. The controller further makes the toe angle adjustments via changes in turning and steering movements effected by the front wheel steering mechanism.

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes an axially movable steering member. The steering member turns the steerable vehicle wheels upon axial movement of the steering member, A connector arm connected to the steering member is movable with the steering member. A first fastener connects the connector arm to the steering member and prevents relative movement between the steering member and the connector arm. A second fastener connects the connector arm to the steering member.

A steering system for a motor vehicle comprising a steering linkage, a steering drive, a gearbox transmitting a driving movement of the steering drive to the steering linkage, and a multi-piece housing that at least partially surrounds the steering linkage, the steering drive and/or the gearbox, having a drainage groove formed in a first contact surface of a first housing part of the multi-piece housing, the first contact surface being seated against a mating second contact surface of a second housing part of the multi-piece housing.