Steering mechanism of a vehicle, comprising a variable centering device

US7181325B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ThyssenKrupp Presta Steertec GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Harwin Niessen · Bad Mergentheim, DE
• Roman Frank Starbeck · Eßlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2007
• Expiry date: Nov 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D6/008
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle steering system having a steering handle for steering at least one wheel is provided, and includes an arrangement for applying torque to the steering handle and a sensor for detecting applied steering torque. The arrangement generates a return torque, as a function of the steering angle, for driving the steering handle into a central position. During a first driving state in which applied steering torque is above a threshold value, the function curve of the return torque increases monotonically and no return torque is generated at a steering angle of zero. During a second driving state in which applied steering torque is below the threshold value, the arrangement generates a return torque that is greater than that given by the function curve in the first driving state, at least at small steering angles.