Steering control methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for maintaining steering stability of a moving vehicle comprising:
- steerable wheels and steering arm means connected to said steerable wheels, andsteering means for steering said steerable wheels, includinga movable rack, a main steering mechanism, including a steering wheel and pinion, connected to said movable rack for moving said movable rack,motor means operably interconnecting said movable rack and said steering arm means for transmitting steering forces from said main steering mechanism to said steerable wheels, said motor means comprising relatively movable first and second parts, said first part connected to said movable rack and said second part connected to said steering arm means,measuring means for measuring an actual yaw rate of said vehicle, andcontrol means for determining a desired yaw rate for said vehicle, and for generating an output signal in response to a comparison of said desired and actual yaw rates,said control means being operably connected to said motor means whereby said motor means is actuated in response to said output signal to steer said steerable wheels independently of movement of said movable rack.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The steering stability of a moving vehicle is maintained by measuring an actual yaw rate of the vehicle and determining a desired yaw rate of the vehicle. An output signal is produced in response to a comparison of the actual and desired yaw rates. The angle of steerable wheels of the vehicle is controlled in response to the output signal in a manner tending to substantially conform the actual yaw rate to the desired yaw rate, thereby maintaining vehicle stability. The steerable wheels are steered by a steering wheel, and are independently steered in response to the output signal. Alternatively, the steerable wheels are steered solely in response to the output signal.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for maintaining steering stability of a moving vehicle comprising:
-
steerable wheels and steering arm means connected to said steerable wheels, and steering means for steering said steerable wheels, including a movable rack, a main steering mechanism, including a steering wheel and pinion, connected to said movable rack for moving said movable rack, motor means operably interconnecting said movable rack and said steering arm means for transmitting steering forces from said main steering mechanism to said steerable wheels, said motor means comprising relatively movable first and second parts, said first part connected to said movable rack and said second part connected to said steering arm means, measuring means for measuring an actual yaw rate of said vehicle, and control means for determining a desired yaw rate for said vehicle, and for generating an output signal in response to a comparison of said desired and actual yaw rates, said control means being operably connected to said motor means whereby said motor means is actuated in response to said output signal to steer said steerable wheels independently of movement of said movable rack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification