Patent US5403200A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5709281A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5709281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for adjusting steering feel
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1995-09-14
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Granted: 1998-01-20
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Expires: 2015-09-14
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Sherwin
- 👤 Daniel E. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:49
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D6/00; B62D6/007; B62D15/00; B62D15/02; B62D15/025; B62D5/00; B62D5/04; B62D5/0457; B62D5/046; B62D5/0466; B62D6/008; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/9314; G01S2013/9318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said motor includes means for dithering said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said hazard sensing means includes means for sensing an object in the potential path of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said hazard sensing means includes means for sensing an object in a blind spot of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including means for further controlling said feel motor in response to road conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means is open-loop controlled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means is closed-loop controlled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
51 words
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.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
51 words
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.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
49 words
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.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
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.
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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) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-07-21 | 2002-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-19 | 2005-07-21 | 2006-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-19 | 2009-07-21 | 2010-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |