Patent ID: 6508480
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
A vehicle steering system comprising:a steering wheel; a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle, the shaft operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels; a vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft, the vibration damping system comprising: a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft; a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor; a magnetic circuit for generating a magnetic flux in the rotor; the rotor operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, the rotor further operable, when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.