Caterpillar Inc.
HYBRID STEERING SYSTEM AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING VIRTUAL AND MECHANICAL STOPS

Abstract:

A steering system and method can determine one or more position-related characteristics of a steering column of a machine, determine that the one or more position-related characteristics indicate that a resistive force is to be applied to the steering column, and control operation of an electric motor to apply the resistive force to the steering column, wherein a mechanical end stop can be provided to restrict rotation of the steering column. One or more virtual stops may be set to limit rotation of the steering column by way of controlling the operation of the electric motor to apply the resistive force.