Steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the same

• Main Authors: RAPHAEL ERIC L, ZUZELSKI, JOHN T, LESCHUK, ROBERT W, TANG, YATUNG, KLOESS, SCOTT R, SIDLOSKY, DAVID M, ROSOL, KENNETH L, PASTOR, STEPHEN R
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 17.09.2014
• Subjects: LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MOTOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRAILERS; TRANSPORTING

A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.