Patent ID: 7004279
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A vehicle steering system comprising: an operation input member configured to steer a vehicle; a steering reaction force actuator configured to apply a reaction force to the operation input member; a steering mechanism including a steering gear unit actuator and at least one steerable vehicle wheel operatively coupled to the steering gear unit actuator; a clutch arranged between the operation input member and the steerable vehicle wheel to mechanically disconnect the operation input member from the steerable vehicle wheel under normal operating conditions, and to mechanically connect the operation input member with the steerable vehicle wheel upon detecting a malfunction in the steering reaction force actuator; and a steering controller configured to control the steering reaction force actuator and the steering gear unit actuator when the steering reaction force actuator is operating normally, based on operation input information to the operation input member, the steering controller including