Electric power steering system
First Claim
1. An electric power steering system which is combined with a steering mechanism including a steering wheel and which has a motor for producing a steering assist force when a vehicle is steered by means of the steering wheel, comprising:
- obstacle detecting means for detecting the presence of an obstacle in the periphery of the vehicle, andwarning control means for driving the motor to cause vibration in the steering wheel when an obstacle is detected by the obstacle detecting means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric power steering system of this invention can inform the driver of potential danger by providing control by way of safety precaution before a vehicle enters a dangerous situation. The occurrence of dangerous situations is determined based on a signal from an obstacle sensor. If a steering wheel is turned in a dangerous situation, a warning control is performed on a motor. The motor outputs a torque for t1 seconds, for example, which counters against turning of the steering wheel. Then, the motor enters a "non-assist" state wherein no current is applied thereto for t2 seconds. If an intermittent counter torque is applied by the motor, it is hard to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel is caused to vibrate, thereby preventing the vehicle from being steered to collide with an obstacle and, warning the driver of the danger with vibration caused in the steering wheel.
40 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An electric power steering system which is combined with a steering mechanism including a steering wheel and which has a motor for producing a steering assist force when a vehicle is steered by means of the steering wheel, comprising:
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obstacle detecting means for detecting the presence of an obstacle in the periphery of the vehicle, and warning control means for driving the motor to cause vibration in the steering wheel when an obstacle is detected by the obstacle detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electric power steering system comprising:
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a motor which is combined with a steering mechanism including a steering wheel, for producing a steering assist force when a vehicle is steered by means of the steering wheel; sensor means for detecting a moving state of the vehicle; drive means for driving said motor using a target control value based on a detection output from said sensor means; danger forecast means for forecasting danger which may be caused by the approach of an obstacle; and warning control means which cyclically fluctuates the target control value to cause vibration in said steering wheel when danger is forecasted by the danger forecast means. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A safety precaution device applicable to a steering system including a steering wheel for changing a travelling course of a vehicle comprising:
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obstacle detecting means for detecting the presence of an obstacle in the periphery of a vehicle; and means for causing vibration in said steering wheel if, when an obstacle has been detected by said obstacle detecting means, said steering wheel is turned to change the travelling course of the vehicle toward the obstacle thus detected; wherein said steering system includes a motor for producing a steering assist force when the steering wheel is turned; and wherein said means for causing vibration causes the motor to produce an intermittent counteractive force against turning of the steering wheel, thereby vibrating the steering wheel.
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Specification