| 摘要 |
A steering system comprises a hand wheel positioned for manipulation by a driver, a steering shaft extending from the hand wheel, and a magnetic column lock. The steering shaft is supported by a steering column housing so that it can rotate on its own axis. The magnetic column lock includes a rotor attached to steering shaft, a stator attached to column housing, and magnetorheological fluid filling a space between the rotor and stator. In another aspect of the steering system, the steering shaft extends from the hand wheel through a hand wheel actuator having a position sensor and a motor for providing driver feedback. A steering column extends from a lower portion of said steering shaft to a rack, and includes a pinion at its lower end for engagement with the rack, so that the rack translates left and right when the pinion is rotated in corresponding directions. The rack is connected to the front road wheels and causes the front road wheels to steer when it is translated. An electronic controller receives signals indicative of an angular position of the hand wheel from the position sensor, and a road wheel actuator connected to the steering rack receives signals from the electronic controller and repositions the steering rack in response to the signals from said electronic controller. A magnetic clutch having MR fluid is provided for selectively engaging said steering shaft to said steering column.
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