Distance based method and apparatus for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorMichael W. Soltis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle uses a distance based algorithm to correct the center position. The actual steering position is sampled periodically, based upon the distance traveled by the vehicle, and corrections are made according to the difference between the sampled positions and a previously assumed steering center.
Claims26
An apparatus for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle, comprising:
- steering sensor means for defining a movable center region of operation of said steering system and for detecting the operational position of said steering system with respect to said center region;
- distance sensor means for tracking the distance traveled by said vehicle;
- and
- processor means operatively connected with said steering and distance sensor means for adjusting the position of said center region of operation.
A method for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- assuming an initial center position;
- recording the window distance during which the steering system has remained within a window of operation extending about said assumed center position;
- comparing the accumulated window distance to a variable sampling distance;
- measuring the difference between a steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position whenever said window distance bears a predetermined relationship to said sampling distance;
- adjusting the assumed center position according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said assumed center position;
- adjusting said sampling distance according to said measured difference between said steering system position characteristic value and said adjusted center position;
- and
- repeating each of said steps sequentially with said adjusted center position substituted for said assumed center position.
A method according to 11 wherein said steering system position characteristic value comprises the center of said window of operation.
A method according to 11 wherein said window of operation comprises an angular region of operation of a rotatable steering shaft, with said angular region having a predetermined size.
A method according to 17 wherein said window of operation is relocated whenever said rotatable steering shaft is operated outside of said window, so that the relocated window extends on either side of the instantaneous position of said steering shaft.
A method for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- assuming a discrete center position;
- defining a window extending about said discrete center position;
- recording the excursion distance said steering system is operated outside said window during a predetermined vehicle travel distance;
- and
- adjusting the discrete center position according to the magnitude of said recorded excursion distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.