US 12,391,302 B2
Handwheel force feedback actuator
Trenton Dean, Casco, MI (US)
Assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on May 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/653,047.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/464,050, filed on May 4, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0367709 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 5/00 (2006.01); B62D 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 5/005 (2013.01) [B62D 5/0454 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A handwheel actuator for a steering system, the handwheel actuator comprising:
a housing;
a steering shaft supported by the housing and configured to be coupled to a handwheel for receiving driver input from a driver and transmitting feedback to the driver;
a first spring for biasing the steering shaft in a first rotational direction, the first spring coupled to the steering shaft by a first static spring seat; a second spring for biasing the steering shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotation direction;
the second spring coupled to the steering shaft by a second static spring seat;
a controlled spring seat coupled to the first spring and the second spring and rotatable to change a pre-load of at least one of the first or second springs;
wherein rotation of the controlled spring seat changes a torsional load applied to the steering shaft via at least one of the first spring or the second spring;
wherein the controlled spring seat is arranged coaxially with the first static spring seat and the second static spring seat about the steering shaft.