An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive, from an autonomous vehicle controller, an instruction to set a hydraulic steering actuator, of a vehicle, to a particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a steering controller torque device, a current to set a steering controller, of the vehicle, to a particular steering controller angle that corresponds to the particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a hydraulic control system, a current to set the hydraulic steering actuator to the particular machine steering angle setting.

A steering assistance device for a vehicle includes an input shaft for introducing a torque from a steering column of the vehicle into the steering assistance device; a torque sensor, wherein the torque sensor is configured to detect the torque introduced via the input shaft and to provide a sensor signal which represents the detected torque; an output shaft for conducting the torque out of the steering assistance device; a gear unit, wherein the gear unit is configured to mechanically transmit the torque from the input shaft to the output shaft, wherein the gear unit is arranged within a steering housing; and a drive unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to charge the gear unit with a hydraulic working medium in a manner dependent on the sensor signal. The drive unit and the torque sensor are arranged so as to be in mechanical contact with the steering housing.

A hydraulic rear axle steering for multi-axle vehicles, including a steering cylinder with a piston and two working chambers. The steering cylinder has a mechanical blocking device, which blocks the piston when it reaches a central position within the steering cylinder. The blocking device has a blocking member, which is retained in an engaged position by a locking element in the blocked state. The locking element is movable by a separate, hydraulically actuated actuator between a blocking position and a first unblocking position in which the locking element releases the blocking element. An admission-pressure-controlled load safety valve is provided for each working chamber, and control connections of the valves are connected to a pressure line leading to the respective other working chamber. The actuator is adjusted such that, when a lower, first pressure value is applied, the locking element moves into the unblocking position, and the valves are adjusted such that, when a higher, second pressure value is applied, the valves open towards the tank.

A hydraulic steering unit (2) includes a steering unit (2) including a supply port arrangement having a supply port (P) and a return port (T), a working port arrangement having two working ports (LR), a steering valve arrangement having two valve elements (32, 33) arranged in a housing (30, 38, 39) and being moveable in relation to each other to change characteristics of orifices, and a measuring motor (9) arranged in a line between the steering valve arrangement and one of the working ports (LR). A hydraulic steering unit should create similar end stop sealings in both steering directions. To this end, backpressure means are provided generating a backpressure on the measuring motor (9), wherein the backpressure means are controlled by the valve element (32, 33), and friction means (43, 43′) are provided between one of the valve elements (33) and the housing (30, 38, 39) or a rotating part of the measuring motor (9) and the housing (30, 38, 39), respectively.

Methods and systems are provided for a steering system for a vehicle. In one example, the steering system may include a steering assembly with a first linkage assembly extending along a first direction between a vehicle steering wheel and a first wheel plate of the steering assembly. The steering system may also include a second linkage assembly with a sliding middle link extending along a second direction between the first wheel plate and a second wheel plate of the steering assembly.

The present disclosure is directed to a cooling system for a system, such as an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system and the components of such system, such as a motor. The cooling system includes a temperature sensor coupled to an electric motor of the EPAS system, one or more fluid reservoirs, and a fluid transfer device coupled to the motor and to the first fluid reservoirs. The fluid transfer device extends along a length of the motor. The cooling system further includes a pump coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid transfer device, a control unit coupled to the sensor and the pump. The control unit is configured to activate the pump in response to temperature detected by the sensor being greater than or equal to a first threshold motor temperature. The pump transfers the fluid in the fluid reservoirs to the fluid transfer device for absorbing the heat of the motor. The fluid transfer device is configured to contain the transferred fluid.

A trim lock and a centering assembly that provides a centering force between a first portion of a system and a second portion of the system. The centering assembly includes a centering stabilizer that provides a centering force along an axial direction thereof, a trim lock configured and arranged to change a location of one axial end of the centering stabilizer, with respect to the second portion of the system, between an original location and an adjusted location, and to lock the axial end of the centering stabilizer at the adjusted location, a connecting unit for operatively connecting the trim lock with the centering stabilizer, and a mounting member for movably mounting the centering stabilizer with respect to the second portion of the system, wherein the mounting member permits axial movement of the centering stabilizer with respect to said second portion of the system.

A method of differentially steering a hydraulically driven vehicle includes measuring left and right swash plate angles of pumps which drive left and right wheels of the vehicle and if the angles are different from one another and the larger swash plate angle is equal to or exceeds a threshold value then reducing the larger swash plate angle. If the larger swash plate angle is between the threshold value and a lower limit, or below the lower limit the swash plate angle is increased. Control systems and vehicles include swash plate angle sensors and actuators in communication with a controller which effects the steering control method.

A system and method control an electro hydraulic power steering system for an electric vehicle having an electric vehicle battery. The power steering system includes an electro hydraulic power steering pump for assisting in movement of a steering wheel. An electronic controller includes an electronic processor configured to: receive a closed or open position for battery contactors from a contactor controller; receive a driving direction signal for the electric vehicle from a driving direction indicator; determine when the battery contactors are closed and when the driving direction signal is in drive or reverse for moving the electric vehicle, and provide an activation signal to operate the power steering pump when the battery contactors are closed and the driving direction signal is in one of drive and reverse. The electronic processor is configured to provide a deactivation signal to the power steering pump when the electric vehicle is not in drive or reverse; and/or the battery contactors are open.

The present application provides a steering mechanism, a vehicle, and an apparatus and method for producing a steering mechanism, and belongs to the technical field of vehicles. Wherein the steering mechanism comprises a first directive wheel, a second directive wheel, a first driving device, and a second driving device. The first driving device is connected to the first directive wheel; and the second driving device is connected to the second directive wheel. The first driving device and the second driving device are configured to separately drive the first directive wheel and the second directive wheel respectively, thus making the first directive wheel and the second directive wheel deflect in the same direction to achieve steering. No linkage relationship exists between the two directive wheels, whereby the two directive wheels do not need to be connected through a complex mechanical transmission mechanism, and a structure of the steering mechanism is simplified.