US 11,926,371 B2
Steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles
Jeremy Rawlings, Canton, MI (US); Robert Mrozek, Clinton Township, MI (US); Lodewijk Wijffels, Canton, MI (US); and Eugene Lau, Mississauga (CA)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/204,652.
Application 17/204,652 is a continuation of application No. 15/921,224, filed on Mar. 14, 2018, granted, now 10,953,912.
Prior Publication US 2021/0197886 A1, Jul. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 5/00 (2006.01); B62D 1/10 (2006.01); B62D 6/00 (2006.01); F16H 1/16 (2006.01); F16H 57/039 (2012.01); F16H 57/02 (2012.01)
CPC B62D 5/006 (2013.01) [B62D 1/10 (2013.01); B62D 6/008 (2013.01); F16H 1/16 (2013.01); F16H 57/039 (2013.01); F16H 2057/02034 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
a dashboard having an opening;
a steering wheel system to interface with a steer-by-wire system of the vehicle, the steering wheel system disposed adjacent the opening, the steering wheel system including:
a steering wheel; and
a torque feedback actuator assembly to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel;
a rail coupled to the dashboard; and
a bracket, the steering wheel system coupled to the bracket, the bracket slidably disposed in a slot in the rail, wherein a frictional interface between the bracket and the rail holds the bracket relative to the rail until a threshold force is exerted, thereby enabling the steering wheel system to move into the opening upon application of a force on the steering wheel system that meets or exceeds the threshold force.