A steering control device has an electromagnetic clutch built into an electric motor. The electromagnetic clutch is provided with: an armature connected to a first closing member via a guide member, a coil holding part, and a bolt; a clutch plate connected to a rotor via a clutch plate attachment member, a key, and a motor shaft; and an excitation coil held by the coil holding part. The armature is fastened with the clutch plate when not attracted to the excitation coil during a power supply failure of the electric motor, and regulates relative rotation of the rotor with respect to a motor housing. Steering of a rack bar is thereby restricted at an optional steering position via the motor shaft, a worm shaft, and a steering shaft.

A steer by wire type steering apparatus according to the present embodiments comprises a rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with a steering shaft, a housing provided with a ball seating portion at one end and a ball is coupled and supported between the ball seating portion and an inner circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, a support member disposed inside the housing and provided with a protruding support portion for supporting the ball to one side in a circumferential direction while protruding in an axial direction, a ball support elastic member coupled to the housing and elastically supporting the ball to another side in the circumferential direction, and an actuator for moving the support member in the axial direction.

One example steering mechanism includes a first steering gear, where the first steering gear is configured to convert obtained driving force to transmit driving force to an outer-side wheel during steering, to control steering force applied to the outer-side wheel. The example steering mechanism includes a second steering gear, where the second steering gear is configured to convert obtained driving force to transmit driving force to an inner-side wheel during steering, to control steering force applied to the inner-side wheel. The first steering gear and the second steering gear are connected by using a first clutch. If the first clutch is in a disengaged state, driving force is not transmitted between the first steering gear and the second steering gear. If the first clutch is in an engaged state, driving force is transmitted between the first steering gear and the second steering gear.

A steering system for controlling a direction of travel of a work machine includes a steering device controllable by an operator of the work machine. The steering device is coupled to an axle of the work machine for controlling an angular orientation of the wheels. A brake is coupled to the steering device and is controllably applied to apply a first amount of resistance to the steering device. A motor is coupled to the steering device and is controllably activated to apply a second amount of resistance to the steering device. A controller controls the steering system of the work machine in at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the controller controls the brake between an applied position and an unapplied position, whereas in the second operating mode, the controller controls the motor between an active position and a de-activated position.

A mode setting unit of ECU controls a turning angle so as to be a turning angle in accordance with a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor. When a vehicle is started, the mode setting unit controls an angle ratio so as to be an angle ratio that is equal to or smaller than a ratio of the turning angle to the steering angle (mechanical angle ratio) when a steering wheel and a turning mechanism are connected by a clutch mechanism.

Provided is an electric assisted power steering apparatus having a structure able to disconnect a worm shaft from any malfunctioning motor of motors connected to opposite end portions of the worm shaft, thereby preventing the worm shaft from rotating heavily or failing to rotate. Even in the case in which the worm shaft is disconnected from the malfunctioning motor, a target rotation speed of the properly-operating motor is increased to prevent sudden changes in auxiliary torque occurring on a steering shaft, thereby promoting the safety of a driver. Torque required for the worm shaft is distributed to the two motors, thereby increasing the rotation speeds of the motors and reducing the size and fabrication costs of the motors.

An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

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 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.

A bulldozer causes left and right steering clutches to engage and left and right steering brakes to release when an operating amount of a steering lever is greater than a first predetermined amount and less than a second predetermined amount, and drives a turning motor so that the rotation speed of an inside output shaft becomes lower than the rotation speed of an outside output shaft as the operating amount of the steering lever increases. A controller causes the engagement rate of an inside steering clutch to decrease and causes an inside steering brake to brake when the operating amount of the steering lever is equal to or greater than the second predetermined amount.