US 12,459,557 B2
Apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels
Michael Dawson, Washington, MI (US); Ramesh Chirla, Washington, MI (US); Himadri Kumar Shastry, Washington, MI (US); Olivier Pugliese, Lebanon, IN (US); and Ryan Noerenberg, Washington, MI (US)
Assigned to ZF ACTIVE SAFETY AND ELECTRONICS US LLC, Livonia, MI (US)
Filed by ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC, Livonia, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/075,471.
Prior Publication US 2024/0182106 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 5/0448 (2013.01) [B62D 5/0424 (2013.01); B62D 5/046 (2013.01); B62D 5/0487 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels, the apparatus comprising:
a steering member which is axially movable relative to the vehicle to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels;
a ball nut assembly connected with an externally threaded portion of the steering member, the steering member moving axially in response to rotation of the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member;
a first motor connected with the ball nut assembly by a belt, the first motor being operable to effect rotation of the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member;
a second motor connected with the ball nut assembly and the first motor by the belt, the second motor being operable to effect rotation of the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member; and
a first drive pulley rotatable about a first axis by the first motor and a second drive pulley rotatable about a second axis by the second motor, the first and second drive pulleys being connected together by the belt.