STEERING ASSEMBLY WITH TACTILE FEEDBACK

摘要

A steering column assembly for a vehicle is provided comprising a combination of housing, steering column shaft extending through the housing, a coil fixed within the housing and lying adjacent at least a portion of the steering column shaft, and a fluid within the housing containing a ferrous material in suspension. A magnetic field generated by the coil within the housing alters the flow characteristics of the fluid to place a resistance on the ability of the steering column shaft to rotate. The degree of magnitude of the force of the field exerted by the coil is controlled in large part by an electronic circuit which receives input from sensors monitoring the steering characteristics of the vehicle.