Actuator synchronization and locking concept for steer by wire applications

摘要

A steer-by-wire system (10) for a vehicle that provides synchronization capability to an actuator of a steerable device (14) and an actuator of a steering input device (12) includes a steering input device actuator (18) operably connected to the steering input device (12) of the vehicle and a steerable device actuator (16) operably connected to the steerable device (14) of the vehicle. The steerable device actuator (16) is disposed in electronic communication with the steering input device actuator (18). The electronic communication is defined such that synchronous positioning of the steering input device actuator (18) and the steerable device actuator (16) can be effectuated by the system (10) upon startup of the vehicle. A method of using the system (10) includes initiating operation of the system (10) by turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle and evaluating an initial condition (32) of the vehicle. The initial condition (32) is associated to the positions of the steering input device actuator (18) and the steerable device actuator (16).