Patent ID: 7240760

Claim:
A steering apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels, said steering apparatus comprising: a steering gear assembly connected with a steerable vehicle wheel; a manually rotatable steering wheel; a force transmitting apparatus which is connected with said steering gear assembly and said steering wheel, said force transmitting apparatus includes a differential gear mechanism having a first input connected with said steering wheel and an output connected with said steering gear assembly; a first sensor having an output signal which is a function of steering wheel position; a second sensor having an output signal which is a function of steerable vehicle wheel position; a controller which is connected with said first and second sensors and is operable to provide an output signal when said steerable vehicle wheel position does not correspond to said steering wheel position; a motor connected with said controller and a second input to said differential gear mechanism, said motor being operable in response to said output signal from said controller to effect operation of said differential gear mechanism to actuate said steering gear assembly and change the position of the steerable vehicle wheel; and a second motor connected with said force transmitting apparatus at a location between said differential gear mechanism and said steering wheel, said second motor being operable during operation of said motor connected to said second input to said differential gear mechanism.