Steering column actuator

Claim 2

An actuator unit for cooperation with a steering column comprising: an electric motor with disk rotor, having a drive shaft, a tachometer flanged to the motor and running in synchronism therewith; an intermediate control shaft geared to the drive shaft; a potentiometer having a tap drivingly connected to said control shaft for displacement in response to rotation of the control shaft; coupling means for drivingly connecting the control shaft to the steering column; a switch actuator drivingly coupled to said control shaft; and limit switches disposed in adjustable position and operated by the switch actuator to obtain representation of a steering column adjustment and turning range.

Claim 3

An actuator as in claim 1, wherein the coupling means include a gear drivingly mounted on the steering column, and a pinion on the control shaft meshing the gear.

Claim 4

An actuator as in clai 2, the gear provided with an adapter sleeve.

Claim 5

An actuator as in clai 2, the gear provided with an adapter sleeve.

Claim 6

An actuator as in claim 2, wherein the gear has a hub, mounting means being provided for the actuator and including means for journalling the hub of the gear.

Claim 7

Actuator as in claim 4, the hub having convexly shaped outer contour for universal mounting and directional adaptation.

Claim 8

Actuator as in claim 1, including a pinion on the control shaft, a gear driven by the pinion, a worm gear driven by the pinion driven gear, and a follower on the worm gear moving upon rotation of the worm gear for operating the limit switches.

Claim 9

Actuator as in claim 1, including a pinion on the control shaft, and a tensioned gear meshing the pinion and operating the potentiometer.

Claim 10

Actuator as in claim 1, and including mounting means for releasably mounting the actuator in particular adjustable relation to the steering column.

Claim 11

Actuator as in claim 1, the coupling means including an element subjected to stress upon motor steering column interaction via the coupling means.

Claim 12

Actuator as in claim 9, the coupling means including an actuator shaft disposed coaxially to The steering column and geared to the control shaft; an actuator arm on the actuator shaft rotating therewith, a stress-strain member coupling the arm to the steering column, and signal means on the member to provide electrical signal representing the strain undergone by the member, if the motor resists external actuation of the steering column against the force of the motor.

Claim 13

An actuator as in claim 1, including control means connected to be responsive to the output of the potentiometer in feedback configuration and receiving additionally a command signal for obtaining control of the steering column.

Claim 14

An actuator as in claim 11, the control means connected for receiving additionally the output of the tachometer as rate information.

Claim 15

An actuator as in claim 1, including control means connected to be responsive to an externally developed control signal and further connected to be responsive to said stress sensing means to control the motor for obtaining particular dynamic resistance against external operation of the steering column against the force of the motor.

Claim 16

An actuator as in claim 13, the control means connected for receiving additionally the output of the tachometer as rate information.

Claim 17

An actuator as in claim 1, cooperating with a second actuator for a second steering column and having motor, driving control shaft, coupling means connecting the control shaft to the second steering column, and a potentiometer operated by the second control shaft, each actuator having a control circuit for the respective motor, the outputs of the respective potentiometers provided to the control circuits of the respective other actuator, for obtaining control of the second actuator and of the second steering column in response to a signal developed or the first potentiometer as operated by the first steering column so that the second steering column follows the first steering column, the second potentiometer providing a signal to the control circuit of the first motor for control of the coupling to the first steering column to obtain a resistive force against oppositely directed steering of the first steering column.

Claim 18

An actuator as in claim 15, the control means for the motor of the first actuator responding additionally to stress developed in the coupling means.

Claim 19

An actuator as in claim 15, wherein the signal developed on the second potentiometer controls the control for the second motor in feedback configuration with the signal developed on the potentiometer of the first actuator serving as command signal.