Patent ID: 6892605
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: B62D,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hand wheel actuator comprising: a housing; a first shaft having an upper end configured for attaching a hand wheel, said first shaft being supported by said housing via bearings such that said first shaft is rotatable about its own axis; a position sensor for detecting an angular displacement of the first shaft from a selected origin and producing a signal indicative of said angular displacement; an electric motor in operative communication with the first shaft for providing force feedback to a driver; and a steering post maintained in a rotationally fixed position with respect to the housing for maintaining a hub in a rotationally fixed position centrally of said hand wheel, said hub facing the driver when said hand wheel is operated, said steering post extending along an axis of rotation of said hand wheel and through said first shaft, said first shaft being fixed to said hand wheel and rotating therewith.