Steering control apparatus for vehicle
First Claim
1. A steering control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
- a transmission ratio changing mechanism located between a steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle, for changing a turning angle of the front wheels, which is caused by turning the steering wheel;
an actuator for driving the transmission ratio changing mechanism to correct the turning angle of the front wheels;
turning state sensing means for detecting a first turning action, a second turning action in a direction opposite to a direction of the first turning action, and an angular turning speed of the steering wheel; and
control means for controlling the operation of the actuator in accordance with the detection signals from the turning state sensing means,the control means including means for comparing a value of the angular turning speed of the steering wheel for the second turning action with a reference value, and output means for outputting a corrective turning control signal, for increasing the turning angle of the front wheels by a predetermined corrective turning angle, to the actuator when the comparing means detects that the value of the angular turning speed of the steering wheel is at least equal to the reference value, during the second turning action of the steering wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator is used to drive a transmission ratio changing mechanism, which is arranged between a steering wheel and front wheels of a vehicle, for correcting the turning angle of the front wheels. The operation of the actuator is controlled in accordance with detection signals from sensors for detecting first and second turning actions, and an angular turning angular speed of the steering wheel. A controller delivers a corrective turning control signal for increasing the turning angle of the front wheels to the actuator when it is detected that the steering wheel is in the second turning action and that the value of the angular turning speed for the second turning action is at least equal to a reference value.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A steering control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
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a transmission ratio changing mechanism located between a steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle, for changing a turning angle of the front wheels, which is caused by turning the steering wheel; an actuator for driving the transmission ratio changing mechanism to correct the turning angle of the front wheels; turning state sensing means for detecting a first turning action, a second turning action in a direction opposite to a direction of the first turning action, and an angular turning speed of the steering wheel; and control means for controlling the operation of the actuator in accordance with the detection signals from the turning state sensing means, the control means including means for comparing a value of the angular turning speed of the steering wheel for the second turning action with a reference value, and output means for outputting a corrective turning control signal, for increasing the turning angle of the front wheels by a predetermined corrective turning angle, to the actuator when the comparing means detects that the value of the angular turning speed of the steering wheel is at least equal to the reference value, during the second turning action of the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A steering control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
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means, connected between a steering wheel and front wheels, for turning the front wheels in accordance with the turning of the steering wheel; means for correcting a turning angle caused in the front wheels by the turning means; sensing means for detecting a first turning action, a second turning action in a direction opposite to a direction of the first turning action, and an angular turning speed of the steering wheel; and control means for controlling the operation of the correcting means in accordance with the detection signals from the sensing means, the control means including means for comparing a value of the angular turning speed of the steering wheel for the second turning action with a reference value, and output means for delivering a corrective turning control signal, used to increase the turning angle of the front wheels by a corrective turning angle for making a cornering force, produced in the front wheels during the second turning action, substantially equal to a cornering force produced in the rear wheels, to the correcting means when the comparing means detects that the value of the angular turning speed is at least equal to the reference value. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A steering control apparatus for controlling turn angle of at least one of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, comprising:
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turn controller, connected to at least one of the wheels, for controlling turn angle of the at least one wheel; turning state sensor for detecting a first turn action of a steering wheel of the vehicle, a second turn action in a direction opposite the first turn action, and an angular turn speed of the steering wheel; and controller for outputting corrective turn control signals to the turn controller to vary turn angle of the at least one wheel in response to the turning state sensor detecting the second turn action of the steering wheel and detecting the angular turn speed of the steering wheel to be at least a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for controlling turn angle of at least one of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting a first turn action of a steering wheel of the vehicle, a second turn action in a direction opposite the first turn action, and an angular turn speed of the steering wheel; (b) outputting, from a controller, corrective turn control signals to a turn controller, connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels, to vary turn angle of the at least one wheel in response to detecting the second turn action of the steering wheel and detecting the angular turn speed of the steering wheel to be at least a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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31. The method of clam 29, wherein, in said step (b), said corrective turn control signals are output to the turn controller to increase turn angle of that at least one wheel in response to detecting the second turn action of the steering wheel and detecting the angular speed of the steering wheel to be at least said predetermined value in said step (a).
Specification