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Methods and apparatus for variable reduced effort steering in electric steering systems

  • US 8,897,966 B2
  • Filed: 05/11/2012
  • Issued: 11/25/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for installing a steering-assist system onto a vehicle having an electrically powered steering system, the method comprising:

  • placing a controller between a torque sensor and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed on the vehicle;

    coupling a primary signal line from the torque sensor to be in electrical communication with the controller; and

    coupling a secondary signal line to the controller to be in electrical communication with the ECU, wherein, when movement is detected by the torque sensor, the torque sensor provides a primary signal to the controller and the controller provides a secondary signal to the ECU, the secondary signal being different than the primary signal, wherein the secondary signal comprises a first signal that is amplified to a second signal having a value greater than the primary signal, and wherein the second signal is limited by a limiting circuit to a third signal having a value less than the value of the second signal but greater than the value of the primary signal.

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