US4720790A — Apparatus for controlling steer angle of rear whe…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 190 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means such that: (a) said steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed; and (b) said steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 190 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means such that: (a) said steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed; and (b) said steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 128 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means and said steering wheel displacement signal such that: (a) a steer angle of the rear wheels corresponding to the level of said steering wheel displacement signal is formed in the direction counter to a direction of the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed; and (b) a steer angle of the rear wheels corresponding to the level of said steering wheel displacement signal is generated in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said judging means comprises means for judging the angular frequency of said steering wheel displacement signals as said rotation speed of said steering wheel.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 72 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said judging means judges the rotation speed of said steering wheel by using a transfer function G(S) expressed by the following formula and controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement: ##EQU20## where, Kd and Ke are constants which meet the condition of 0<Kd<Ke, S is a complex frequency and T is a primary delay time constant.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 148 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said judging means includes: a first sample hold circuit for sampling said steering wheel displacement signal at a predetermined period and holding the sampled signal thus producing a stepped voltage signal; a differential amplifier for subtracting said stepped voltage signal from said steering wheel displacement signal thus outputting a saw-tooth voltage signal; a second sample hold circuit for sampling said saw-tooth voltage signal at a predetermined period and holding the sampled signal thus outputting a voltage signal; an absolute value circuit for outputting the absolute value of said voltage signal outputted from said second sample hold circuit; and; a comparator circuit for comparing said absolute value outputted from said absolute value circuit with a predetermined voltage corresponding to a high steering wheel operation speed and another predetermined voltage corresponding to a low steering wheel operation speed.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 182 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said steering wheel displacement detecting means is constituted by a potentiometer having a linear resistor to which a voltage is applied and a slider for sliding linearly on said resistor in accordance with the operation of said steering wheel, while said judging means and said controlling means include: an operation amplifier having a resistor connected between an output terminal and an inversion terminal thereof; a coefficient device having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of said operation amplifier and an output terminal connected to said actuator mechanism; a first resistor connected at one end thereof to said inversion terminal of said operation amplifier and at the other end thereof to the output terminal of said potentiometer; a second resistor connected at one end thereof to the non-inversion terminal of said operation amplifier and at the other end thereof to the output terminal of said potentiometer; and a capacitor connected at one end thereof to the non-inversion terminal of said operation amplifier and grounded at the other end thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 271 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling the steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a velocity of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels such as to provide a small radius of turning circle of said vehicle when said physical amount is small and, when said physical amount is large, said steer angle of the rear wheels is determined such as to provide a greater radius of turning circle than that obtained when said physical amount is small; and (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 271 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling the steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a velocity of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels such as to provide a small radius of turning circle of said vehicle when said physical amount is small and, when said physical amount is large, said steer angle of the rear wheels is determined such as to provide a greater radius of turning circle than that obtained when said physical amount is small; and (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 164 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and said physical amount is below a predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the direction counter to the direction of the steer angle of the front wheels; (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed and said physical value is below said predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels; and (c) when said physical amount exceeds said predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels regardless of the rotation speed of said steering wheel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 151 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and said physical amount is below a predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels is generated in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels; (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed and said physical value is below said predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels; and (c) when said physical amount exceeds said predetermined value, no steer angle of the rear wheels is generated regardless of the rotation speed of said steering wheel.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 124 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed a steer angle of the rear wheels which becomes smaller as said physical value is increased is generated in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels; and (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed a steer angle of the rear wheels which becomes smaller as said physical amount is increased is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 182 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal such that: (a) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and said physical amount is below a predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels which becomes smaller as said physical amount is increased is generated in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of front wheels; (b) when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and said physical value exceeds said predetermined value, a steer angle of the rear wheels which becomes greater as said physical amount is increased is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels; and (c) when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed, a steer angle of the rear wheels which becomes greater as said physical amount is increased is formed in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 143 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate to steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: On condition of V≦Vc δr=f(δh) On condition of V>Vc δr=K.sub.1 δh where, V: vehicle running velocity Vc: predetermined value of vehicle running velocity δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 1 : small positive constant.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 57 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said physical amount related to vehicle running velocity is one selected from the group consisting of the vehicle running velocity, yaw rate, lateral acceleration of vehicle, product of yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the vehicle running velocity and the lateral acceleration.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 193 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: On condition of |f(d)|>f(d)c δr=f(δh) On condition of |f(d)|>f(d)c δr=K.sub.1 δh where f(d): physical amount related to lateral displacement of the vehicle, representing one of a yaw rate, lateral accelration, product of the yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the lateral acceleration and the vehicle running velocity f(d) c : predetermined value of physical amount related to the lateral displacement corresponding to predetermined value Vc of the vehicle running velocity δh: steering wheel angle F(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 1 : small positive constant.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 142 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: δr=f(δh)/(K.sub.2 V+K.sub.3) where V: vehicle running velocity δh: steering wheel angle f(δh); steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 2 : positive constant for attaining coincidence of dimension K 3 : constant for preventing the denominator from becoming zero.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 132 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: δr=f(δh)·K.sub.4 ·(Vmax-V) where, V: vehicle running velocity δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed Vmas: maximum vehicle running velocity K 4 : small positive constant.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 175 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)/(K.sub.2 |f(d)|+K.sub.3) where δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed f(d); physical amount related to lateral displacement of the vehicle, representing one of a yaw rate, lateral acceleration, product of the yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the lateral acceleration and thevehicle running velocity K 2 : positive constant for attaining coincidence of demension K 3 : constant for preventing the denominator from becoming zero.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 181 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)·K.sub.4 ·(|f(d)max|-|f(d)|) where δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed f(d): physical amount related to lateral displacement of the vehicle, representing one of a yaw rate, lateral acceleration, product of the yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the lateral acceleration and the vehicle running velocity f(d) max: maximum value of physical amount related to the lateral displacement of vehicle corresponding to maximum vehicle running velocity K 4 : small positive constant.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 127 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)+K.sub.5 ·V·δh where, V: vehicle running velocity δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 5 : small positive constant.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 161 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the resuslt of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle r of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)+K.sub.5 ·|f(d)|·δh where δh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel angle and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed f(d): physical amount related to lateral displacement of the vehicle, representing one of a yaw rate, lateral acceleration, product of the yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the lateral acceleration and the vehiclee runing velocity K 5 : small positive constant.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 245 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a lateral displacement of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal, such that a steer angle of rear wheels is genrated as the sum of: (a) a first angle proportional to said steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed; and (b) a second angle proportional to said physical amount and set in the same direction as generation of said physical amount.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 245 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a lateral displacement of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with a result of judgement by said judging means and said physical amount signal, such that a steer angle of rear wheels is genrated as the sum of: (a) a first angle proportional to said steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed; and (b) a second angle proportional to said physical amount and set in the same direction as generation of said physical amount.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 57 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said physical amount related to the lateral displacement of the vehicle is one selected from the group consisting of yaw rate, later acceleration of vehicle, product of the yaw rate and vehicle running velocity and product of the vehicle running velocity and the lateral acceleration.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 128 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition; δr=f(δh)+K.sub.6 ·r where, r: yaw rate F(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed. K 6 : small constant.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 132 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)+K.sub.7 ·V·r where, V: vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 7 : small constant.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 156 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of jdugement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: On condition of V≦Vc δr=f(δh)+K.sub.6 ·r On condition of V>VC δr=K.sub.1 ·δh where, V: vehicle running velocity Vc: predetermined value of vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate Sh: steering wheel angle f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 1 , K 6 : small constants.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 146 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)/(K.sub.1 ·V+K.sub.3)+K.sub.8 ·r where, V: vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at alow rotation speed K 1 , K 8 : small constants K 3 : constant used for preventing denominator from becoming zero.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 147 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)/(K.sub.1 ·V+K.sub.3)+K.sub.9 ·V·V where, V: vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 1 , K 9 : small constants K 3 : constant used for preventing denominator from becoming zero.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 140 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the folloing condition: δr=f(δh)·K.sub.4 ·(Vmax-V)+K.sub.10 ·r where V: vehicle running velocity Vmax: maximum vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 4 , K 10 : small constant.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 141 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle r of the rear wheels which meets the following condition: δr=f(δh)·K.sub.4 ·(Vmax-V)+K.sub.11 ·V·r where, V: vehicle running velocity Vmax: maximum vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed K 4 , K 11 : small constants.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 150 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said steering wheel displacement signal and said physical amount signal to generate a steer angle δr of the rear wheels which meets the following conditions: On condition of δr≦δrc δr=f(δh)+K.sub.7 ·V·r On condition of δr>δrc δr=δrc where, V: vehicle running velocity r: yaw rate f(δh): steer angle proportional to the steering wheel displacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the direction of steer angle of the front wheels when the steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed rc: predetermined steer angle of the rear wheels K 7 : a small constant.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 270 words

A rear wheel steer angel controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a lateral displacement of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; a steer angle detecting means for detecting the steer angle of the rear wheels and outputting a steer angle signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said physical amount signal and said steer angle signal, such that a steer angle of the rear wheels is generated as the sum of: (a) a first angle proportional to said steering wheel dislacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed; and (b) a second angle proportional to said physical amount and set in the same direction as generation of said physical amount.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 270 words

A rear wheel steer angel controlling apparatus for automatically controlling a steer angle of rear wheels of a vehicle by controlling an actuator mechanism for generating the steer angle of the rear wheels in response to an operation of a steering wheel for generating a steer angle of front wheels of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a steering wheel displacement detecting means for detecting a steering wheel displacement and for generating a steering wheel displacement signal representing the steering wheel displacement; a judging means for judging a rotation speed of said steering wheel from said steering wheel displacement signal; a physical amount detecting means for detecting a physical amount related to a lateral displacement of said vehicle and outputting a physical amount signal; a steer angle detecting means for detecting the steer angle of the rear wheels and outputting a steer angle signal; and a controlling means for controlling said actuator mechanism in accordance with the result of judgement by said judging means, said physical amount signal and said steer angle signal, such that a steer angle of the rear wheels is generated as the sum of: (a) a first angle proportional to said steering wheel dislacement and set in the direction counter to a direction of steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a high rotation speed and in the same direction as the steer angle of the front wheels when said steering wheel is operated at a low rotation speed; and (b) a second angle proportional to said physical amount and set in the same direction as generation of said physical amount.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 44 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said controlling means controls said actuator mechanism such that no steer angle of the rear wheels is formed when the level of said steering wheel displacement signal is below a predetermined level.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 67 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said sum δr of said first and second angles is given by the following formula: ##EQU21## where, Kd, Ke: constants which meet the condition of 0<Kd<Ke S: complex frequency T: time constant of primary delay N: steering gear ratio δf: steer angle of front wheels Kn: proportional constant V: vehicle running speed r: yaw rate.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 144 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said physical amount detecting means includes a velocity detector for detecting the vehicle running velocity and outputting a vehicle running velocity signal, a yaw rate detector for detecting the yaw rate and outputting a yaw rate signal, and a multiplier circuit for multiplying said vehicle running velocity signal and said yaw rate signal with each other, said judging means includes a phase shifting circuit for outputting a signal which has a phase delay with respect to said steering wheel displacement signal, said phase delay being increased within the range of ° to 180° as the angular frequency of said steering wheel displacement signal is increased, and said controlling means includes an adder circuit for adding the output from said multiplier circuit and the output of said phase shifting circuit to each other.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 68 words

A rear wheel steer angle controlling apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said controlling means further includes a dead zone circuit which does not produce output when the output of said phase shifting circuit falls within a predetermined range around 0 (zero) and produces an output corresponding to the output of said phase shifting circuit when said output of said shifting circuit falls out of said predetermined range.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-01-18	1991-07-20	1992-01-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-01-18	1995-07-20	1996-01-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-01-18	1999-07-20	2000-01-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for controlling steer angle of rear wheels of vehicle

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