A method of adjusting a drive mechanism includes measuring backlashes between the ring gear and the plurality of drive devices, and determining about positions of the plurality of drive devices with reference to the ring gear based on the backlashes measured in the measurement step. The measurement step includes: aligning the pinion of one of the plurality of drive devices to face a reference position in a circumferential direction of the ring gear and measuring a backlash between the ring gear and the said one drive device; and aligning the pinion of another one of the plurality of drive devices to face the reference position of the ring gear by revolving the plurality of the drive devices relative to the ring gear, and measuring a backlash between the ring gear and the said another drive device different from the said one drive device whose backlash has been measured.

A driving force control system for a vehicle is provided to control a torque vectoring device is provided. A controller is configured to bring the torque vectoring device into a preparatory state in which the differential torque and the differential limit torque are equalized to each other when shifting the operating mode between the differential mode and the differential limit mode, and to shift the operating mode of the torque vectoring device by gradually reducing a difference between the differential torque and the differential limit torque.

A steering mechanism having a piezoelectric element to adjust component clearance and preload based on steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. The piezoelectric element positioned in the steering mechanism for electric adjustment so that the clearance and preload can be adjusted electrically in response to steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. This arrangement allows for low preload and low friction when the vehicle is being driven over smooth road conditions. When a rough road condition is detected both clearance and preload can be electrically increased to minimize noise. The disclosed inventive concept may find application in a variety of steering mechanisms to minimize or eliminate NVH when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces. Without limitation, the piezoelectric element may be provided in rack and pinion electric power assisted steering systems or in worm and wheel (steering column) electric power assisted steering systems.

An in-vehicle device includes: a movable member; a motor that moves the movable member; at least one detection switch that detects movement of the movable member; and a controller that controls the motor based on a detected output of the detection switch. The in-vehicle device further includes: a locking mechanism unit that, upon determination by the controller based on the detected output from the detection switch that the movable member reaches an end point region in a movement direction, locks the movable member, and upon determination by the controller that a main switch is set to OFF, releases the lock; and a motor driver that, after the release of the lock by the locking mechanism unit, upon determination by the controller based on the detected output from the detection switch that the movable member is moved again, drives the motor to move the movable member.

A shift-by-wire system configured to switch shift positions includes a detent plate, a detent spring, a rotating electrical machine, a gear device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit provided in the shift-by-wire system is configured to control a rotating electrical machine torque. The electronic control unit is configured to reverse the rotating electrical machine torque after the electronic control unit makes the rotating electrical machine output the rotating electrical machine torque for turning the detent plate in a turning direction to switch the shift position, then the detent torque generated in the detent plate by a push of the engagement portion is reversed in the turning direction from a counter-turning direction opposite to the turning direction, and before backlash elimination in a backlash portion of the gear device by the reversed detent torque is finished.

A method for operating a transmission device, in which a requested value of an output torque of the transmission device is input and a first control signal for controlling a first actuator and a second control signal for controlling a second actuator of the transmission device is determined according to the requested value. The control signals bring about input torques which, according to the requested value of the output torque, on the output side of the output shaft, cause moments with different signs and with different absolute values that are different from zero, or moments with the same signs and with the same absolute values that are different from zero.

A control device for a vehicle is provided with: two drive devices; a first speed reducer that transmits the torque of one drive device to an output shaft; and a second speed reducer that transmits the torque of the other drive device to the output shaft. The control device is provided with a torque control unit that controls, according to a target torque, the torque output by the two drive devices. The torque control unit includes a restriction unit that controls the torque output by the two drive devices when the sign of the target torque is changed from a first sign to a second sign. While outputting torque that reduces the backlash of the first speed reducer or the second speed reducer to one of the drive devices, the restriction unit outputs torque according to the target torque to the other drive device.

In a process for the adjustment of backlash between a pinon (20) and a rack (10) in a rack-pinion drive, a motor-gearbox assembly (30) including a motor and a gearbox is supported on a carrier (40) via a positioning mechanism (42) for precisely positioning the assembly (30) in a radial position relative to the rack (10). In the process, the assembly (30) is positioned in a first radial distance relative to the rack (10), using the positioning mechanism (42) and a first circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at a first position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), based on measurements taken on an input side of the gearbox. Then, the assembly (30) and/or the rack (10) are positioned in a second position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), different from the first position, and a second circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at the second position, based on measurements taken on the input side of the gearbox A minimal circumferential backlash is determined from the determined first circumferential backlash and the determined second circumferential backlash (and possibly further measurements), and a radial adjustment distance is determined based on the determined minimal circumferential backlash. Finally, the motor-gearbox assembly (30) is repositioned in a radial direction, towards the rack (10), by the determined radial adjustment distance, using the positioning mechanism (42).

An adjustment device configured to move first bevel gear and second bevel gear that are disposed on base and are meshed with each other. Adjustment device includes first adjustment assembly, and second adjustment assembly. First adjustment assembly includes first fluid-driven power source, first brake component and first displacement sensor. First fluid-driven power source includes first cylinder housing and first piston. First cylinder housing is configured to be disposed on base. First piston is movably disposed on first cylinder housing. First bevel gear is configured to be disposed on first piston. First piston is configured to move first bevel gear along first axial direction. First brake component is configured to be disposed on base and configured to stop or release first piston. First displacement sensor is disposed on first cylinder housing and configured to generate displacement data related to first piston.

In a process for the adjustment of backlash between a pinon (20) and a rack (10) in a rack-pinion drive, a motor-gearbox assembly (30) including a motor and a gearbox is supported on a carrier (40) via a positioning mechanism (42) for precisely positioning the assembly (30) in a radial position relative to the rack (10). In the process, the assembly (30) is positioned in a first radial distance relative to the rack (10), using the positioning mechanism (42) and a first circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at a first position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), based on measurements taken on an input side of the gearbox. Then, the assembly (30) and/or the rack (10) are positioned in a second position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), different from the first position, and a second circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at the second position, based on measurements taken on the input side of the gearbox A minimal circumferential backlash is determined from the determined first circumferential backlash and the determined second circumferential backlash (and possibly further measurements), and a radial adjustment distance is determined based on the determined minimal circumferential backlash. Finally, the motor-gearbox assembly (30) is repositioned in a radial direction, towards the rack (10), by the determined radial adjustment distance, using the positioning mechanism (42).