Method for determining steering position of automotive steering mechanism
First Claim
1. A method for determining a steering wheel angle of an automotive steering mechanism and controlling an automotive device, comprising the steps of:
- counting steering position data from a steering angle sensor and generating a first signal therefrom representing rotational motion of the steering mechanism;
measuring a yaw rate from a yaw rate sensor and producing a second signal therefrom representing a steering wheel angle computed from said yaw rate;
determining a center position estimate from said first signal and said second signal and generating a center position signal therefrom;
estimating an actual steering wheel angle from said first signal and said center position signal and generating an estimated steering wheel angle signal therefrom; and
controlling the automotive device using said estimated steering wheel angle signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining a steering wheel angle of a vehicular steering system includes determining a center position for the steering sensor output every time the vehicle is started. The method employs the use of a yaw sensor for computing an estimate of the actual steering position so that a center position may be back computed to provide immediate and accurate steering position data using the steering sensor signal for controlling an automotive device. The accuracy of the initial estimates may be improved upon by implementing interim and final center algorithms as vehicle operating characteristics permit.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining a steering wheel angle of an automotive steering mechanism and controlling an automotive device, comprising the steps of:
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counting steering position data from a steering angle sensor and generating a first signal therefrom representing rotational motion of the steering mechanism; measuring a yaw rate from a yaw rate sensor and producing a second signal therefrom representing a steering wheel angle computed from said yaw rate; determining a center position estimate from said first signal and said second signal and generating a center position signal therefrom; estimating an actual steering wheel angle from said first signal and said center position signal and generating an estimated steering wheel angle signal therefrom; and controlling the automotive device using said estimated steering wheel angle signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining a steering wheel angle of an automotive steering mechanism and controlling an automotive device, comprising the steps of:
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counting steering position data from a steering angle sensor and generating a first signal therefrom representing rotational motion of the steering mechanism; measuring a yaw rate from a yaw rate sensor and producing a second signal therefrom representing a steering wheel angle computed from said yaw rate; determining a center position estimate from said first signal and said second signal in accordance with a first predetermined algorithm when said second signal is outside of a predetermined boundary and in accordance with a second predetermined algorithm when said second signal is within said predetermined boundary and generating a center position signal therefrom; estimating an actual steering wheel angle from said first signal and said center position signal and generating an estimated steering wheel angle signal therefrom; and controlling the automotive device using said steering wheel angle signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining a steering wheel angle of an automotive steering mechanism and controlling an automotive device, comprising the steps of:
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counting steering position data from a steering angle sensor and generating a first signal therefrom representing rotational motion of the steering mechanism; measuring a yaw rate from a yaw rate sensor and producing a second signal therefrom representing a steering wheel angle computed from said yaw rate; updating a straight path indicator using one of two formulas selected based on an evaluation of a predetermined group of vehicle operating characteristics; determining a center position estimate in accordance with a first predetermined algorithm when said second signal is outside of a predetermined limit and in accordance with a second predetermined algorithm when said second signal is within said predetermined limit and in accordance to a third predetermined algorithm when said updated straight path indicator exceeds a predetermined value and generating a center position signal therefrom; estimating an actual steering wheel angle from said first signal and said center position signal and generating an estimated steering wheel angle signal therefrom; and controlling the automotive device using said steering wheel angle signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification