US5507359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically operated power steering control device
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1994-08-09
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A signal corresponding to steering torque detected by a torque detector is inputted into both a control device and a torque signal direction determining device 19. Only when the signal directions of both device are coincident, a signal to drive a motor in that direction is outputted from a motor drive circuit. In this case, even when the steering torque is in a dead zone, a signal of a predetermined direction can be outputted from the torque signal direction determining device by a switching signal. Accordingly, in the power steering control device, even when a torque direction signal sent from the direction determining device is in a dead zone, a signal for driving the motor to assist a steering shaft with rotation is made to be outputted in a predetermined direction, so that steering feelings can be improved when a steering wheel is suddenly reversed.
Inventors
- 👤 Shunichi Wada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/04; B62D5/0457; B62D5/0481; B62D5/0493; B62D5/046; B62D5/0463; B62D5/0466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
An electrically operated power steering device comprising: a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque; a control means for outputting a signal corresponding to said steering torque when a signal corresponding to said steering torque is inputted; a torque signal direction determining device for outputting a signal corresponding to a direction of said steering torque when said steering torque is out of a dead zone which is set close to a neutral point of the steering after an output of said steering torque detector has been inputted into said torque signal direction determining means; a coincidence determining means for outputting a signal when a direction of a signal sent from said control means and that of a signal sent from said torque signal direction determining means are coincident; a motor drive means for outputting an assist torque in accordance with signals inputted into said motor drive means from said control means and said coincidence determining means; and a motor for assisting the steering shaft with rotation being driven by an output of said motor drive means, wherein a signal of a predetermined direction is capable of being outputted from said torque signal direction determining means even in said dead zone, based on a switching signal that is received from said control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
An electrically operated power steering device comprising: a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque; a control means for outputting a signal corresponding to said steering torque when a signal corresponding to said steering torque is inputted; a torque signal direction determining device for outputting a signal corresponding to a direction of said steering torque when said steering torque is out of a dead zone which is set close to a neutral point of the steering after an output of said steering torque detector has been inputted into said torque signal direction determining means; a coincidence determining means for outputting a signal when a direction of a signal sent from said control means and that of a signal sent from said torque signal direction determining means are coincident; a motor drive means for outputting an assist torque in accordance with signals inputted into said motor drive means from said control means and said coincidence determining means; and a motor for assisting the steering shaft with rotation being driven by an output of said motor drive means, wherein a signal of a predetermined direction is capable of being outputted from said torque signal direction determining means even in said dead zone, based on a switching signal that is received from said control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The electrically operated power steering unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal monitor means for detecting the duration of a switching signal by which said signal of the predetermined direction can be outputted even in said dead zone; and a motor stop means for stopping said motor when said duration is detected to be longer than a predetermined period of time by said signal monitor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrically operated power steering unit according to claim 1, wherein a switching signal capable of causing the output of a signal corresponding to a direction of steering torque even in said dead zone is outputted when said control means detects a change in the steering torque per unit time by not less than a predetermined amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electrically operated power steering unit according to claim 1, further comprising a phase-compensation circuit into which a steering torque value detected by said steering torque detector is inputted, said phase-compensation circuit outputting a torque value obtained when said steering torque detection value is subjected to phase compensation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
An electrically operated power steering unit comprising: a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque; a control means for outputting a signal corresponding to said steering torque when a signal corresponding to said steering torque is inputted; a torque signal direction determining means for outputting a signal corresponding to a direction of said steering torque when said steering torque is out of a dead zone which is set close to a neutral point of the steering after an output of said steering torque detector has been inputted into said torque signal direction determining means; a coincidence determining means for outputting a signal when a direction of a signal sent from said control means and that of a signal sent from said torque signal direction determining means are coincident; a motor drive means for outputting an assist torque in accordance with signals inputted into said motor drive means from said control means and said coincidence determining means; and a motor for helping the steering shaft with rotation being driven by an output of said motor drive means, wherein a width of said dead zone can be varied by said control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
191 words
An electrically operated power steering unit comprising: a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque; a control means for outputting a signal corresponding to said steering torque when a signal corresponding to said steering torque is inputted; a torque signal direction determining means for outputting a signal corresponding to a direction of said steering torque when said steering torque is out of a dead zone which is set close to a neutral point of the steering after an output of said steering torque detector has been inputted into said torque signal direction determining means; a coincidence determining means for outputting a signal when a direction of a signal sent from said control means and that of a signal sent from said torque signal direction determining means are coincident; a motor drive means for outputting an assist torque in accordance with signals inputted into said motor drive means from said control means and said coincidence determining means; and a motor for helping the steering shaft with rotation being driven by an output of said motor drive means, wherein a width of said dead zone can be varied by said control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electrically operated power steering unit according to claim 5, further comprising a phase-compensation circuit into which a steering torque value detected by said steering torque detector is inputted, wherein said phase-compensation circuit outputs a torque value obtained when said steering torque detection value is subjected to phase compensation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |