Apparatus and method for detecting neutral steering angle of steering wheel system for vehicle
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
- a) first means for detecting a steering angle;
b) second means for measuring a running distance of the vehicle;
c) third means for comparing the running distance with a previously set reference distance and outputting a running signal whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance;
d) fourth means for deriving an average value of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance;
e) fifth means for calculating a variation width of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance;
f) sixth means for determining an average value of the calculated variation widths as a neutral steering angle range in a case where the variation width falls within a reference width;
g) seventh means for detecting that the steering angle has fallen in a predetermined steering angle previously set in the vicinity to the neutral steering angle and outputting a neutral proximity signal upon the detection thereby;
h) eighth means for calculating a deviation quantity between the steering angle and the neutral steering angle;
i) ninth means for storing a final value of the deviation quantity irrespective of the on and off of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and
j) tenth means for reproducing the neutral steering angle from the final value of the deviation quantity which has been stored and the steering angle corresponding to the neutral proximity signal following the ignition switch of the vehicle being turned on.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and - method for detecting a neutral steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle through which the vehicle runs straight in which when a neutral proximity signal is outputted which indicates that a steering angle of the steering wheel falls in a predetermined angular range placed in a proximity to the neutral steering angle, a deviation quantity (angle value) between the steering angle received from a steering angle sensor at a time when the neutral proximity signal is outputted and neutral steering angle is derived, updated, and stored as a final value irrespective of an on and off position of a vehicular ignition switch. In addition, when the neutral proximity steering angle is received at a first time when the ignition switch has been turned on, the neutral steering angle is reproduced from the steering angle at that time and the final value of the deviation quantity.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
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a) first means for detecting a steering angle; b) second means for measuring a running distance of the vehicle; c) third means for comparing the running distance with a previously set reference distance and outputting a running signal whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; d) fourth means for deriving an average value of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; e) fifth means for calculating a variation width of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; f) sixth means for determining an average value of the calculated variation widths as a neutral steering angle range in a case where the variation width falls within a reference width; g) seventh means for detecting that the steering angle has fallen in a predetermined steering angle previously set in the vicinity to the neutral steering angle and outputting a neutral proximity signal upon the detection thereby; h) eighth means for calculating a deviation quantity between the steering angle and the neutral steering angle; i) ninth means for storing a final value of the deviation quantity irrespective of the on and off of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and j) tenth means for reproducing the neutral steering angle from the final value of the deviation quantity which has been stored and the steering angle corresponding to the neutral proximity signal following the ignition switch of the vehicle being turned on. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for detecting a neutral steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle applicable to a four wheel steering control system, comprising:
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a) first means for detecting a steering angle of the steering wheel; b) second means for detecting a vehicle speed and measuring a running distance of the vehicle on the basis of the vehicle speed; c) third means for comparing the running distance with a previously set reference distance and outputting a running signal whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; d) fourth means for deriving an average value of the steering angles during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; e) fifth means for calculating a variation width of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached a reference distance; f) sixth means for determining an average value of the calculated variation widths as the neutral steering angle through which the vehicle does straight in a case where the variation width falls within a reference width; g) seventh means for detecting that the steering angle has fallen in a predetermined steering angle previously set in the vicinity to the neutral steering angle and outputting a neutral proximity signal upon the detection thereby; h) eighth means for calculating a deviation quantity between the steering angle and the neutral steering angle; i) ninth means for storing a final value of the deviation quantity irrespective of the on and off position of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and j) tenth means for reproducing the neutral steering angle between the final value of the deviation quantity which has been stored and the steering angle on the basis of the neutral proximity signal in a case when the ignition switch of the vehicle has been turned on.
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16. A method for detecting a neutral steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle applicable to a four wheel steering control system, comprising the steps of:
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a) detecting a steering angle of the steering wheel; b) measuring a running distance of the vehicle; c) comparing the running distance with a previously set reference distance and outputting a running signal whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; d) deriving an average value of the steering angles during the run whenever the vehicle has reached the reference distance; e) calculating a variation width of the steering angle during the run whenever the vehicle has reached a reference distance; f) determining an average value of the calculated variation widths as the neutral steering angle range through which the vehicle goes straight in a case where the variation width falls within a reference width; g) detecting that the steering angle has fallen in a predetermined steering angle previously set in the vicinity to the neutral steering angle and outputting a neutral proximity signal upon the detection therein; h) calculating a deviation quantity between the steering angle and the neutral steering angle; i) providing a memory for storing a final value of the deviation quantity irrespective of the on and off position of an ignition switch of the vehicle; and j) reproducing the neutral steering angle between the final value of the deviation quantity which has been stored and the steering angle on the basis of the neutral proximity signal in a case when the ignition switch of the vehicle has been turned on.
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Specification