Motorized steering column module with position control

• US 7,597,357 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendôme SAS (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: ZF Systèmes de Direction Nacam SAS (Zeppelin-Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Barcat, Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/221,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20070176405A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 280/775, 74493-500, 318162-164
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory

Abstract

A motorized steering column module with position control including a moving device that moves a steering wheel in an axial direction, bringing it closer or further away from a selected position, and in a radial plane for regulating upward and downward movement with the aid of at least one electronic motor controller; and a controller that varies the speed of the motor at least proximate a departure position and an arrival position.

Claims

1. A motorized steering column module with position control comprising:

at least one motor,

a moving device driven by the at least one motor for moving a steering wheel associated to the steering column module in an axial direction, bringing it closer or further away from a selected position, and in a radial plane for regulating upward and downward movement of the steering wheel,

an electronic motor controller for controlling the at least one motor, wherein the controller varies the speed of the motor at least proximate a departure position and an arrival position and wherein the controller is programmed to control acceleration of the movement during motor startup so that the speed of the motor continuously increases proximate the departure position.

2. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to control deceleration of the movement approaching an arrival position.

3. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to compensate for variations in voltage of a power supply for the controller at the level of the motor.

4. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to control movement speed lower than a maximum speed upon approaching a position at the end of travel.

5. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the motor is coupled to a sensor that delivers a signal that is a function of real motor speed, which signal is transmitted to the controller.

6. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls reduction of movement speed upon approaching the end of travel.

7. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls a mode of reduced-speed movement when it receives particular control instructions.

8. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller generates motor control/command signals in the form of constant tension scrambled at a variable cyclic ratio.

9. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the variable speed of the motor by a closed-loop regulation.

10. The steering column module according to claim 1, wherein parts activated by the motor comprise at least one position reference sensor.

11. A motorized steering column module with position control comprising:

at least one motor,

a moving device driven by the at least one motor for moving a steering wheel associated to the steering column module in an axial direction, bringing it closer or further away from a selected position, and in a radial plane for regulating upward and downward movement of the steering wheel,

an electronic motor controller for controlling the at least one motor, wherein the controller varies the speed of the motor at least proximate a departure position and an arrival position and wherein the controller is programmed to control acceleration of the movement during motor startup so that the speed of the motor increases linearly or according to Gaussian law proximate the departure position.

12. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to control deceleration of the movement approaching an arrival position.

13. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to compensate for variations in voltage of a power supply for the controller at the level of the motor.

14. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to control movement speed lower than a maximum speed upon approaching a position at the end of travel.

15. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the motor is coupled to a sensor that delivers a signal that is a function of real motor speed, which signal is transmitted to the controller.

16. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls reduction of movement speed upon approaching the end of travel.

17. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls a mode of reduced-speed movement when it receives particular control instructions.

18. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller generates motor control/command signals in the form of constant tension scrambled at a variable cyclic ratio.

19. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls the variable speed of the motor by a closed-loop regulation.

20. The steering column module according to claim 11, wherein parts activated by the motor comprise at least one position reference sensor.