System of informing procedures for adjusting control parameters of an electric power steering control apparatus

• US 6,665,598 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Shinji, Nakano, Jiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US10/000,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20020087241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 701/41, 701/42, 116/31, 180/410, 180/443, 180/446
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0457 characterised by control features of the drive means as such

Abstract

An informing apparatus informs an operator of procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data. The power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle. A storage portion stores various data. The data includes evaluation data, steering state data, control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, and adjusting procedure data. The evaluation data is related to steering of the steering wheel. The steering state data represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained. The steering state data is related to the evaluation data. The control parameter data is related to the steering state data, and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained. The adjusting procedure data is used for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved. The evaluation data and the steering state data are inputted through a selector. A controller of the informing apparatus reads the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data from the storage portion based on the evaluation data and the steering state data. The adjusting procedure data of the read control parameter data is outputted to a display.

Claims

1. An informing apparatus for informing procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data, wherein the power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle, the informing apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing various data, wherein the various data includes;

evaluation data, which is related to steering of the steering wheel;

steering state data, which represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained, the steering state data being related to the evaluation data;

control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, wherein the control parameter data is related to the steering state data and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained; and

adjusting procedure data for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved;

first input means for inputting the evaluation data;

second input means for inputting the steering state data;

reading means, which reads the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data from the storage means based on the evaluation data and the steering state data; and

output means for outputting the adjusting procedure data of the read control parameter data.

2. The informing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores a first data together with the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data, the first data being related to the steering feeling of the steering wheel that will occur if the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data is applied;

wherein, when reading the adjusting procedure data, the reading means reads the first steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data; and

wherein, when outputting the adjusting procedure data, the output means outputs the first steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data.

3. The informing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage means stores a second data together with the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data, the second data being related to the steering feeling of the steering wheel that will occur if a procedure that is opposite to the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data is applied instead of the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data;

wherein, when reading the adjusting procedure data, the reading means reads the second steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data; and

wherein, when outputting the adjusting procedure data, the output means outputs the second steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data.

4. The informing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output means includes a display that displays data that is read by the reading means.

5. The informing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric power steering apparatus includes a motor, which generates force for assisting rotation of the steering wheel, a transmission mechanism, which transmits rotation of the motor to the steering wheel, and a drive circuit for controlling the motor.

6. The informing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the steering wheel is coupled to a steering shaft, and wherein the transmission mechanism includes a driven gear, which is attached to the steering shaft, and a drive gear, which is attached to the motor, the drive gear being meshed with the driven gear.

7. An informing system for informing procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data, wherein the power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle, the informing system comprising:

storing means for storing various data, wherein the various data includes;

evaluation data, which is related to steering of the steering wheel;

steering state data, which represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained, the steering state data being related to the evaluation data;

control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, wherein the control parameter data is related to the steering state data and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained; and

adjusting procedure data for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved;

reception means for inputting the evaluation data and the steering state data through a communication line;

reading means, which reads the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data from the storage means based on the evaluation data and the steering state data; and

transmission means for outputting the adjusting procedure data of the read control parameter data through a communication line.

8. The informing system according to claim 7, wherein the storage means stores a first data together with the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data, the first data being related to the steering feeling of the steering wheel that will occur if the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data is applied;

wherein the reading means reads the first steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data; and

wherein the transmission means outputs the first steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data.

9. The informing system according to claim 7, wherein the storage means stores a second data together with the adjusting procedure data of the control parameter data, the second data being related to the steering feeling of the steering wheel that will occur if a procedure that is opposite to the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data is applied instead of the adjusting procedure of the adjusting procedure data;

wherein the reading means reads the second steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data; and

wherein the transmission means outputs the second steering feeling data together with the adjusting procedure data.

10. The informing system according to claim 7, wherein the electric power steering apparatus includes a motor, which generates force for assisting rotation of the steering wheel, a transmission mechanism, which transmits rotation of the motor to the steering wheel, and a drive circuit for controlling the motor.

11. The informing system according to claim 10, wherein the steering wheel is coupled to a steering shaft, and wherein the transmission mechanism includes a driven gear, which is attached to the steering shaft, and a drive gear, which is attached to the motor, the drive gear being meshed with the driven gear.