Electronic control power steering considering tilt position of steering column

• US 7,379,803 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2004
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lim, Choul-Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner; Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/000,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 701/41, 701/42, 180/443, 180/423, 180/446, 180/444
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/18 yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable padded linings associated with the steering column B60R21/05
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0457 characterised by control features of the drive means as such
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/007 adjustable by the driver, e.g. sport mode

Abstract

An electronic control power steering having a control unit for electronic control includes a tilt sensor that detects a tilt angle of a steering column, and a logic, provided in the control unit, that adjusts a power assist for steering according to signals received from the tilt sensor.

Claims

1. An electronic control power steering having a control unit for electronic control, comprising:

a tilt sensor that detects a tilt angle of a steering column; and

a controller comprising a power adjuster which is configured to adjust a power assist supplied to the steering column based upon a tilt angle of the steering column detected by the tilt sensor, wherein the tilt angle of the steering column corresponds to a signal outputted by the tilt sensor and received by the controller.

2. The electronic control power steering as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the power assist supplied to the steering column when a vehicle is below a predetermined speed.

3. The electronic control power steering as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the steering column is tilted upward the power assist supplied to the steering column is decreased.

4. The electronic control power steering as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the steering column is tilted downward a power assist supplied to the steering column is increased.

5. The electronic control power steering as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the steering column is tilted upward the power assist supplied to the steering column is decreased and when the steering column is tilted downward a power assist supplied to the steering column is increased.