Method and apparatus for adjusting steering feel

• US 5,709,281 A
• Filed: 09/14/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Williams, Daniel E., Sherwin, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/528,425
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/272, 180/274, 180/280, 180/282, 180/167, 180/169, 180/407, 180/446, 180/401, 340/575, 340/576, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 340/437, 340/459, 342/70, 342/71
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/025 Active steering aids, e.g. helping the driver by actively influencing the steering system after environment evaluation B62D1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0466 for returning the steering wheel to neutral position
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/007 adjustable by the driver, e.g. sport mode
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/008 Control of feed-back to the steering input member, e.g. simulating road feel in steer-by-wire applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9314 Parking operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9318 Controlling the steering

Abstract

A vehicle steering apparatus (20) includes a steering feel motor (50). A torque sensor (58) senses steering torque applied by a vehicle driver. A sensor (24) senses a characteristic of a driver and provides a signal indicative thereof. A hazard sensor (44) senses a potential steering hazard. The steering feel motor is controlled in response to the sensed driver characteristic and to any sensed potential steering hazard. Either open-loop or closed-loop control is provided for controlling the feel motor in response to sensed static and dynamic forces.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a steering feel motor operatively connected to a vehicle steering system;

means for sensing a characteristic of a driver and providing a signal indicative thereof; and

means for controlling said steering feel motor in response to said driver characteristic signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said motor includes means for dithering said motor.

3. A vehicle steering apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a steering feel motor operatively connected to a vehicle steering system;

means for sensing a pending steering hazard and providing a signal indicative thereof; and

means for controlling said motor in response to said hazard signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said hazard sensing means includes means for sensing an object in the potential path of the vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said hazard sensing means includes means for sensing an object in a blind spot of said vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further including means for further controlling said feel motor in response to road conditions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means is open-loop controlled.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means is closed-loop controlled.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 further including means for sensing dynamic vehicle forces and wherein said control means includes means for controlling said motor in response to said sensed dynamic forces.

10. A method for controlling a vehicle steering apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a steering feel motor operatively connected to a vehicle steering system;

sensing a characteristic of a driver and providing a signal indicative thereof; and

controlling said steering feel motor in response to said driver characteristic signal.

11. A method for controlling a vehicle steering apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a steering feel motor operatively connected to a vehicle steering system;

sensing a pending steering hazard and providing a signal indicative thereof; and

controlling said steering feel motor in response to said hazard signal.