Method and apparatus for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system, comprising the steps of:
- assuming an initial center position;
counting the amount of window time during which the steering system has remained within a window of operation extending about said assumed center position;
comparing the counted window time to a variable sampling time;
measuring the difference between a steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position whenever said window time bears a predetermined relationship to said sampling time;
adjusting the assumed center position according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position;
adjusting said sampling time according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said adjusted center position;
repeating each of said steps sequentially with said adjusted center position substituted for said assumed center position.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining a center position of the vehicular steering system includes a steering sensor and a control unit. A variable sampling time strategy is employed to determine a precise center for the steering system. As an option, the control algorithm may employ both variable sampling time and a variable size for a window of operation.
38 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system, comprising the steps of:
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assuming an initial center position; counting the amount of window time during which the steering system has remained within a window of operation extending about said assumed center position; comparing the counted window time to a variable sampling time; measuring the difference between a steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position whenever said window time bears a predetermined relationship to said sampling time; adjusting the assumed center position according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position; adjusting said sampling time according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said adjusted center position; repeating each of said steps sequentially with said adjusted center position substituted for said assumed center position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A means for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system, comprising:
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sensor means for;
(i) measuring the difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and a previously determined center position, and (ii) for defining a window of operation extending about said center position;a window timer operatively connected with said sensor means for determining the amount of time said steering system is operated within said window; a sampling time register, operatively connected with said sensor and said window timer, for holding an appropriate sampling interval between successive events in which said sensor measures said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position; and processor means operatively connected with said sensor means and with said window and sampling timers for;
(i) directing said sensor means to measure said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position when said appropriate sampling interval has been reached; and
(ii) adjusting said previously determined center position based upon said measured difference and (iii) adjusting said sampling interval held by said sampling time register according to the magnitude of said measured difference. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification