After a Hall IC sensor is set in a connector in such a manner that the Hall IC sensor and a harness are electrically connected to each other, the connector and the Hall IC sensor are inserted from an opposite side of a connector insertion hole in a radial direction toward one side of the connection insertion hole in the radial direction, and a first magnetism collection ring and a second magnetism collection ring are inserted into a torque sensor container portion from a first opening portion in such a manner that the Hall IC sensor is situated between the first magnetism collection ring and the second magnetism collection ring in the radial direction.

The present invention is an improved version of the steering system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/115,573. The prior steering system features effortless steering input from the driver and negligible bumpsteer during suspension operation. Such extraordinary steering performance is realized with the use of costly and complex electric assist devices and control devices. The present steering system includes an alternative electric assist device which allows for the removal of the costly and complex electric assist devices in the prior steering system. The present steering system also includes a novel hydraulic control valve with a solenoid valve-plunger mechanism. The mechanism prevents premature wear or destruction of the rack and pinion gearset. The use of the alternative electric assist device and hydraulic control valve enables the present steering system to preserve the extraordinary steering performance featured in the prior steering system concurrent with a reduction in cost and complexity.

The present invention is an improved version of the steering system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/115,573. The prior steering system features effortless steering input from the driver and negligible bumpsteer during suspension operation. Such extraordinary steering performance is realized with the use of costly and complex electric assist devices and control devices. The present steering system includes an alternative electric assist device which allows for the removal of the costly and complex electric assist devices in the prior steering system. The present steering system also includes a novel hydraulic control valve with a solenoid valve-plunger mechanism. The mechanism prevents premature wear or destruction of the rack and pinion gearset. The use of the alternative electric assist device and hydraulic control valve enables the present steering system to preserve the extraordinary steering performance featured in the prior steering system concurrent with a reduction in cost and complexity.

A method for steering system position control includes receiving a target angle for a pinion of a rack of a steering system, receiving an actual angle of the pinion, and determining an angle error value based on a difference between the target angle and the actual angle. The method also includes providing the angle error value to a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, receiving a target velocity of the pinion, and generating a friction compensation value based on the target velocity. The method also includes generating a control command value based on an output of the PID controller and the friction compensation value, and controlling at least one aspect of the steering system based on the control command value.

A method for steering system position control includes receiving a target angle for a pinion of a rack of a steering system, receiving an actual angle of the pinion, and determining an angle error value based on a difference between the target angle and the actual angle. The method also includes providing the angle error value to a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, receiving a target velocity of the pinion, and generating a friction compensation value based on the target velocity. The method also includes generating a control command value based on an output of the PID controller and the friction compensation value, and controlling at least one aspect of the steering system based on the control command value.

A wear compensator for a rack and pinion steering assembly having a rack in engagement with a pinion shaft gear in a steering housing includes a rack follower configured to slidably engage the rack, a hydraulic plunger configured to selectively apply pressure to the rack follower, a source of hydraulic pressure operatively connected to the hydraulic plunger, a rack profile sensor configured to detect forces on the rack resulting from engagement with the pinion shaft gear, and a wear compensator controller operatively connected to the rack profile sensor and the source of hydraulic pressure. The wear compensator controller being configured to adjust hydraulic pressure on the hydraulic plunger to selectively force the rack follower against the rack based on signals from the rack profile sensor.

A wear compensator for a rack and pinion steering assembly having a rack in engagement with a pinion shaft gear in a steering housing includes a rack follower configured to slidably engage the rack, a hydraulic plunger configured to selectively apply pressure to the rack follower, a source of hydraulic pressure operatively connected to the hydraulic plunger, a rack profile sensor configured to detect forces on the rack resulting from engagement with the pinion shaft gear, and a wear compensator controller operatively connected to the rack profile sensor and the source of hydraulic pressure. The wear compensator controller being configured to adjust hydraulic pressure on the hydraulic plunger to selectively force the rack follower against the rack based on signals from the rack profile sensor.