A vehicle theft deterrent apparatus includes a driver verifier, a steering torque detector, an actuator, and a steering controller. The steering torque detector is configured to detect steering torque input by a driver to a steering system. The actuator is configured to generate drive torque to be given to the steering system. The driver verifier is configured to verify whether driver information obtained from the driver matches registered information registered in advance. The steering controller is configured to control the drive torque generated by the actuator based on the steering torque. In a case where the driver verifier determines that the driver information does not match the registered information, the steering controller is configured to permit the driver to steer until a vehicle drives a set distance, and then to cause the actuator to generate the drive torque prohibiting the driver from steering.

A steering lock device includes a position detector that detects a position of a lock member. The position detector includes a first unlock detecting portion of a digital output type that detects that the lock member is located in an unlock position and a second unlock detecting portion of an analog output type that detects that the lock member is located in an intermediate position, which is between a lock position and the unlock position. A position determination portion determines whether or not the lock member is located in the unlock position based on a detection signal of the first unlock detecting portion and a detection signal of the second unlock detecting portion, which has a parabolic output waveform that changes in accordance with movement of the lock member.

A steering lock device includes a lock bar attached to a case member, a motor having an output shaft, a driving gear member which is attached to the output shaft of the motor and which is rotatable together with the output shaft, a driven gear member which is assembled in a state of being meshed with the driving gear member, and which is rotatable in a direction corresponding to a rotation direction of the driving gear member, and a feed screw member which is connected coaxially with the lock bar, which has a male thread screwed with a female thread of the driven gear member and which is capable of causing the lock bar to advance or retreat in an axial direction by the rotation of the driven gear member. The motor, the feed screw member and the lock bar are accommodated in parallel within the case member.

A steering lock device includes a lock bar attached to a case member, a motor having an output shaft, a driving gear member which is attached to the output shaft of the motor and which is rotatable together with the output shaft, a driven gear member which is assembled in a state of being meshed with the driving gear member, and which is rotatable in a direction corresponding to a rotation direction of the driving gear member, and a feed screw member which is connected coaxially with the lock bar, which has a male thread screwed with a female thread of the driven gear member and which is capable of causing the lock bar to advance or retreat in an axial direction by the rotation of the driven gear member. The motor, the feed screw member and the lock bar are accommodated in parallel within the case member.

A system for a vehicle includes a gear and a plate fixed to the gear. The gear is driving by a motor for providing relative rotation between a steering wheel and steering shaft of the vehicle in an adaptive front steering system. The system includes a solenoid including a coil and a pin moveable relative to the coil to engage the plate based on a signal. A sensor is configured to detect a change in current through the coil associated with initial movement of the pin relative to the coil. The system includes a controller programmed to change the duty cycle signal in response to the change in current to slow movement of the pin to reduce or eliminate a clicking noise associated with the pin seating in an extended position or retracted position.

A steering lock device includes a lock bar attached to a case member, a motor having an output shaft, a driving gear member which is attached to the output shaft of the motor and which is rotatable together with the output shaft, a driven gear member which is assembled in a state of being meshed with the driving gear member, and which is rotatable in a direction corresponding to a rotation direction of the driving gear member, and a feed screw member which is connected coaxially with the lock bar, which has a male thread screwed with a female thread of the driven gear member and which is capable of causing the lock bar to advance or retreat in an axial direction by the rotation of the driven gear member. The motor, the feed screw member and the lock bar are accommodated in parallel within the case member.

A steering lock device includes a lock bar attached to a case member, a motor having an output shaft, a driving gear member which is attached to the output shaft of the motor and which is rotatable together with the output shaft, a driven gear member which is assembled in a state of being meshed with the driving gear member, and which is rotatable in a direction corresponding to a rotation direction of the driving gear member, and a feed screw member which is connected coaxially with the lock bar, which has a male thread screwed with a female thread of the driven gear member and which is capable of causing the lock bar to advance or retreat in an axial direction by the rotation of the driven gear member. The motor, the feed screw member and the lock bar are accommodated in parallel within the case member.

Side loads on an Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) can prevent the ESCL from releasing upon command. An Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system is used to reduce or eliminate any side load on the ESCL to mitigate this problem. The EPAS system is activated in response to driver authentication before the driver requests a transition to a ready-to-drive state. The ready-to-drive state is entered only if the ESCL is unlocked. If a predetermined time elapses between driver authentication and the request to enter ready-to-drive state, the EPAS is deactivated and the ESCL is commanded to re-lock.

A steering lock device includes a trigger that is displaced as a frame cover drops from a frame, an auxiliary lock device that holds a lock member in a locked position as the trigger is displaced under condition that the lock member is positioned in the locked position, housing components that are arranged in a housing chamber defined by the frame cover and the frame or in a guide hole, and a trigger coupling member that couples the housed components and the trigger. When the housed components are displaced, the trigger is displaced via the trigger coupling member.

A steering lock device includes a trigger that is displaced as a frame cover drops from a frame, an auxiliary lock device that holds a lock member in a locked position as the trigger is displaced under condition that the lock member is positioned in the locked position, housing components that are arranged in a housing chamber defined by the frame cover and the frame or in a guide hole, and a trigger coupling member that couples the housed components and the trigger. When the housed components are displaced, the trigger is displaced via the trigger coupling member.