초록 ▼

A vehicle steering input device includes a fixed housing, a steering input shaft rotatable relative to the housing by a vehicle operator, a hub non-rotatably mounted on the input shaft, a friction member frictionally engaging the hub, a resilient member biased to maintain the friction member in enga

A vehicle steering input device includes a fixed housing, a steering input shaft rotatable relative to the housing by a vehicle operator, a hub non-rotatably mounted on the input shaft, a friction member frictionally engaging the hub, a resilient member biased to maintain the friction member in engagement with the hub member, a movable locking ring meshingly coupled to the friction member, and an electromagnet. When the electromagnet is energized it moves the locking ring into meshing engagement with the housing, thus limiting rotation of the friction member and creating an additional friction force which makes it more difficult to rotate the hub and the input shaft. The magnitude of this friction force depends on the bias of the resilient member and is not limited by the strength of the electromagnet.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle steering input device, comprising:a fixed housing;a steering input shaft rotatable relative to the housing by a vehicle operator;a hub member non-rotatably mounted on the steering input shaft;a friction member frictionally engaging the hub and normally rotating

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle steering input device, comprising:a fixed housing;a steering input shaft rotatable relative to the housing by a vehicle operator;a hub member non-rotatably mounted on the steering input shaft;a friction member frictionally engaging the hub and normally rotating with the hub;a resilient member biased to maintain the friction member in engagement with the hub member;a movable coupling member meshingly coupled to the friction member and movable to selectively couple and uncouple the friction member to the housing; andmeans for moving the coupling member into coupling engagement with the housing, thereby limiting rotation of the coupling member and the friction member with respect to the housing.