Steering handle neutral position estimating apparatus
First Claim
1. A steering handle neutral position estimating apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a steering handle operable to provide a driver'"'"'s vehicle steering demand, the apparatus comprising:
- first sensor means sensitive to steering handle position for producing an electric signal indicative of a sensed steering wheel position;
second sensor means sensitive to steering handle position for producing a steering handle neutral position signal having a first level when the sensed steering handle position is in a predetermined range and a second level when the sensed steering handle position is out of the predetermined range; and
an estimating unit coupled to the first and second sensor means, the estimating unit including means sensitive to a steering handle position change, means sensitive to a continuous traveling distance of the vehicle, means sensitive to a traveling speed of the vehicle, means for producing an estimation command signal when the sensed steering handle position change is less than a reference value, when the sensed continuous traveling distance is greater than a reference value and when the sensed traveling speed is greater than a first reference value and less than a second, greater reference value, and means responsive to the estimation command signal for estimating a steering handle neutral position value when the steering handle neutral position signal is at its first level.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering handle neutral position estimating apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a steering handle operable to provide a driver'"'"'s vehicle steering demand. The apparatus comprises a first sensor sensitive to steering handle position for producing an electric signal indicative of a sensed steering handle position, and a second sensor sensitive to steering handle position for producing a steering handle neutral position signal having a first level when the sensed steering handle position is in a predetermined range and a second level when the sensed steering handle is out of the predetermined range. The first and second sensors are coupled to an estimating unit which estimates a sterring handle neutral position when four conditions are fulfilled; that is when the steering handle neutral position signal is at its first level, when the steering handle position change is less than a reference value, when the vehicle continuous traveling distance is greater than a reference value, and the vehicle traveling speed is greater than a first reference value and less than a second, greater reference value.
21 Citations
2 Claims
-
1. A steering handle neutral position estimating apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a steering handle operable to provide a driver'"'"'s vehicle steering demand, the apparatus comprising:
-
first sensor means sensitive to steering handle position for producing an electric signal indicative of a sensed steering wheel position; second sensor means sensitive to steering handle position for producing a steering handle neutral position signal having a first level when the sensed steering handle position is in a predetermined range and a second level when the sensed steering handle position is out of the predetermined range; and an estimating unit coupled to the first and second sensor means, the estimating unit including means sensitive to a steering handle position change, means sensitive to a continuous traveling distance of the vehicle, means sensitive to a traveling speed of the vehicle, means for producing an estimation command signal when the sensed steering handle position change is less than a reference value, when the sensed continuous traveling distance is greater than a reference value and when the sensed traveling speed is greater than a first reference value and less than a second, greater reference value, and means responsive to the estimation command signal for estimating a steering handle neutral position value when the steering handle neutral position signal is at its first level. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
Specification