The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 2026
Filed:
Feb. 14, 2024
Zf Automotive Uk Limited, Solihull, GB;
Mark Anthony Wilkes, Kings Norton, GB;
ZF Automotive UK Limited, Solihull, GB;
Abstract
A steering assembly for a steer-by-wire vehicle comprises a rotatably mounted steering column configured for attachment of a steering member at one end, the steering column being rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The steering assembly further comprises a damper having a housing defining a volume for receipt of damping fluid; a rotor within the housing, the rotor being coupled with the steering column and rotatable therewith; a stator mounted within the housing, the stator being moveable within the housing within a defined range of movement; and a biasing arrangement acting on the stator. Each of the stator and rotor comprises a shear surface, the shear surfaces of the stator and the rotor being positioned adjacent one another to generate a resistance to rotation of the rotor when the housing contains damping fluid. Furthermore, the total surface area of the shear surfaces of the stator and the rotor positioned adjacent one another which generates the resistance to rotation of the rotor varies as the steering column is rotated from the straight ahead position by virtue of displacement of the stator relative to the rotor.