Patent ID: 8657062

Claim:
A steering system, comprising: an operation mechanism that includes an operation member used to perform a steering operation; and a steered mechanism that is not mechanically coupled to the operation mechanism, and that steers a wheel based on the steering operation of the operation member, wherein the operation mechanism includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member and a steering direction detection unit that detects a steering direction of the operation member, and the steering direction detection unit includes a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the steering direction of the operation member, a nut that is screwed to the threaded shaft, a nut guide that is arranged parallel to the threaded shaft and that causes the nut to move in an axial direction of the threaded shaft in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft, a stopper that is provided at at least one end of the nut guide in a longitudinal direction of the nut guide and that prevents movement of the nut in the axial direction beyond a predetermined position, a proximity detection unit that detects a fact that the nut is in proximity to the stopper, the proximity detection unit being provided at the stopper, and a variable axial length mechanism that reduces a clearance in the axial direction between the nut and the stopper in response to occurrence of a malfunction in the steering angle sensor.