Patent ID: 8640817

Claim:
A steering apparatus responsive to rotation of a handwheel for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle having first and second sets of steerable wheels, the steering apparatus comprising: a first steering gear actuatable to affect turning of the first set of steerable wheels in response to rotation of the handwheel; a second steering gear actuatable to affect turning of the second set of steerable wheels in response to rotation of the handwheel; a torque transmission device comprising: an input member connected to the handwheel and rotatable in response to rotation of the handwheel; a first output member mechanically coupled to the input member and connected to the first steering gear for actuating the first steering gear; and a second output member mechanically coupled to the input member and connected to the second steering gear for actuating the second steering gear; a sensor for sensing at least one condition of the handwheel and for providing a steering signal indicative of the at least one sensed handwheel condition; and a controller for receiving the steering signal and for, in response to the steering signal, controlling rotation of the input member of the torque transmission device for controlling actuation of the first and second steering gears.