Patent ID: 6530585
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: B62D,B63H,Y10T

Abstract:
A steering control apparatus for a steering system of a vehicle having at least one steerable member movable away from a preselected center position in response to a steering force, the apparatus comprising:a rotary member mounted for rotation about an axis and having a corresponding face with at least one centering detent; a piston member having a corresponding face arranged opposite to the rotary member face with a centering detent aligned with the rotary member detent when the rotary member is in a centered position corresponding to the preselected position of the steerable member, each of the piston member and rotary member detents comprising a seat and a ramp sloped away from the seat toward said opposing faces; at least one bearing member arranged to be pressed between the rotary and piston members and to be in contact with the seat of each of the aligned centering detents when the steerable member is in the preselected position, each ramp being formed by a groove having substantially the same radius as the bearing member to provide a snug fit and firm frictional engagement for driving the bearing member out of the seats and along the ramps upon rotation of the rotary member; connecting means for rotating the rotary member relative to the piston member in response to movement of the steerable member away from the preselected position; and, compression means for pressing together the piston and rotary members so that contact pressure between the bearing member and the seats of the aligned centering detents resists relative movement between the rotary member and the piston member and prevents substantial movement of the steerable member away from the preselected position until the steering force exceeds a predetermined value.