A steering apparatus includes a first CAN communication line provided between a steering input mechanism and a steering mechanism controller and configured to output a first steering operation amount signal output from a first steering operation amount signal output portion to the steering mechanism controller, and a communication line provided between the steering input mechanism and the steering mechanism controller and configured to output a second steering operation amount signal to the steering mechanism controller without intervention of a first microprocessor.

A vehicle steering system provided for a vehicle whose driving state is switchable between a manual driving state and an automatic driving state, the vehicle steering system including a coupling mechanism configured to couple a steering operation member operated by a driver and at least one steerable wheel of the vehicle, wherein, when the driving state of the vehicle is switched from the manual driving state to the automatic driving state, the coupling mechanism is switched from a mechanically coupling state in which the coupling mechanism mechanically couples the steering operation member and the at least one steerable wheel to each other to a mechanically decoupling state in which the coupling mechanism mechanically decouples the steering operation member and the at least one steerable wheel from each other.

A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment to a steering wheel at one end; a first gear connected to the steering column at a location spaced from the end where the steering wheel may be attached and configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second motors; first and second worm screws connected to and rotatable with an output of the first and second motors respectively and engaged with the first gear; and a control arrangement configured to operate the first and second motors. The control arrangement comprises a circuit board located between the first and second worm screws and their respective motors. The circuit board comprises a motor output position sensor for each of the first and second motors.

A vehicle steering system includes: a housing, and a clutch module including a first steering shaft, a steering assembly, and a drive mechanism. A part of the first steering shaft and the steering assembly are disposed in the housing. The steering assembly is configured to move between a coupling position and a decoupling position, is coupled with the first steering shaft at the coupling position and transmits a torque, and is decoupled from the first steering shaft at the decoupling position and stops the transmission of the torque. A transmission unloading mechanism is configured to unload a limiting force of the drive mechanism on the steering assembly when the steering assembly is at the coupling position, connect with the drive mechanism and the housing to enable the drive mechanism connects with the steering assembly, and drive the steering assembly to move between the coupling position and the decoupling position.

A redundant mechatronic system. The redundant mechatronic system is formed with two channels and is or can be connected for the output of a varying mechanical power to a mechanical arrangement, wherein each of the two channels includes an energy supply and an actuation circuit or a common energy supply is connected upstream of both channels, and both channels can be controlled by at least one control unit. The control unit acts on the actuation circuits in such a manner that the actuation circuits in each case switch an electric power specified by the control unit and drawn from the energy supply through to in each case a winding set of at least one electrically operated actuator, in order to generate the mechanical power. The two channels are operated in parallel during normal operation, in such a manner that each channel provides half of the mechanical power to be instantaneously output.

A control device for an on-board device including an actuator is configured to: supply power to a first microprocessor and a first driver circuit from a first power source through a first power supply path; supply power to a second microprocessor and a second driver circuit from a second power source through a second power supply path; and use the first and second driver circuits to drive the actuator. In this control device, the negative electrodes of the first and second power sources are electrically connected to a common ground portion. Specifically, the first negative electrode of the first power source and the second negative electrode of the second power source are connected to the common ground portion respectively through independent first and second connector portions.

A multifunctional electric recirculating ball steering system for commercial vehicles and its control method are described. The system comprises three modules: an electric power module, a mechanical transmission module, and a control module. The system introduces a dual-rotor motor and a common power motor, working together to act on the input end of a recirculating ball steering gear. The dual-rotor motor offers high redundancy, increased output torque, and improved reliability for control-by-wire operations. A fork assembly enables synchronous and asynchronous rotation of the dual rotors, achieving both steer-by-wire and electric power steering functions. Leveraging the high reduction ratio capability of the recirculating ball steering gear maximizes power torque and simplifies the system architecture while ensuring reliability in both traditional control and control-by-wire functionalities.

A steering control device is configured to control a steering device that changes a transmission ratio between an operation angle of an operation member and a steering angle of a steerable wheel. The steering control device includes: communication lines for transmitting vehicle speed information; and calculators communicably connected to each other and individually connected to the communication lines. Each calculator calculates the transmission ratio based on the vehicle speed information received via a corresponding one of the communication lines and determines whether the received vehicle speed information is valid. When at least one of the calculators determines that the vehicle speed information is not valid, each calculator changes control for calculating the transmission ratio from a vehicle-speed responsive control in which the transmission ratio is calculated based on the vehicle speed information to a specific control in which the transmission ratio is calculated not based on the vehicle speed information.

A multifunctional steering column for a transportation vehicle having a steering bracket for connection of the steering column to a transportation vehicle body of the transportation vehicle; a steering tube held on the steering bracket and which has a steering tube axis; a steering wheel connection for mechanical coupling of the steering column to a steering wheel; and a steering gear end at which a steering gear clutch with a steering gear connection for mechanical coupling to a steering gear of the transportation vehicle is arranged. Also disclosed is a transportation vehicle and a method for operating a transportation vehicle.

An autonomous vehicle includes: a steering device configured to automatically control a steering angle of tires according to a traveling condition, the steering device being provided in an accommodating room that is separated from a passenger compartment by a partition member, and the steering device including a steered shaft, an actuator, and a gear mechanism; and a joint device provided in the accommodating room, the joint device being configured to mechanically connect an input shaft and a member including a rod-shaped body that is inserted from the passenger compartment into the accommodating room through an opening and closing portion formed in the partition member.