Apparatus and method for auto-leveling steering wheel

• US 10,168,150 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2016
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Dong Myong
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W
• Application Number:
  US15/183,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20170131095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 33 1 N, 33370, 33371
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0245 Means or methods for determination of the central position of the steering system, e.g. straight ahead position
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0466 for returning the steering wheel to neutral position
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/22 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/26 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/06 Steering behaviour; Rolling behaviour

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for auto-leveling a steering wheel include an angle sensor configured to sense an inclination of the steering wheel; and a communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit an angle measured by the angle sensor to a controller controlling a driving of a motor driven power steering (MDPS).

Claims

1. A system for auto-leveling a steering wheel, the system comprising:

an angle sensor configured to sense an inclination of the steering wheel;

a controller configured to control a driving of a motor driven power steering (MDPS);

a communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit an angle measured by the angle sensor to the controller;

a body on which the angle sensor and the communication unit are installed; and

a fixer configured to fix the body to the steering wheel, the fixer including a hook disposed on a center of the body and hooked on an inner circumference surface of the steering wheel,

wherein the controller is further configured to;

i) a calculate an adjustment amount of the steering wheel based on the angle measured by the angle sensor,

ii) drive the MDPS until the steering wheel is aligned at a normal position,

iii) recognize that the steering is aligned at the normal position when the angle measured by the angle sensor is approximately zero degrees, and

iv) lock the MDPS by transmitting a normal position control signal to the MDPS.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit wirelessly transmits information using a radio wave or infrared transmission method.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a display configured to display the angle measured by the angle sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fixer includes:

a jig pivotably connected to the body and spread to the outside by elastic force.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the jig is each disposed at left and right of the hook.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the jig includes:

an arm spread to the outside by the elastic force; and

a closely contact part hinge-coupled to an end portion of the arm and having a groove closely contacting with the inner circumference surface of the steering wheel formed therein.

7. A method for auto-leveling a steering wheel, the method comprising the steps of:

fixing, by a fixer, a body on the steering wheel;

sensing, by an angle sensor, an inclination of the steering wheel;

wirelessly transmitting, by a communication unit, an angle measured by the angle sensor to a controller;

calculating, by the controller, an adjustment amount of the steering wheel based on the angle measured by the angle sensor;

driving, by the controller, a motor driven newer steering (MDPS) until the steering wheel is aligned at a normal position;

recognizing, by the controller, that the steering is aligned at the normal position when the angle measured by the angle sensor is approximately zero degrees; and

locking, by the controller, the MAPS by transmitting a normal position control signal to the MDPS,

wherein the fixer includes a hook disposed on a center of the body and hooked on an inner circumference surface of the steering wheel.