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US 6,648,096 B2Granted
Method and device for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsPhilipp Berg, Wolfgang Porth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for detecting the absolute position of a steering column in which a magnetic sensing mechanism associated with the steering mechanism is utilized with a predetermined transmission ratio to obtain an exact steering wheel angle.
Claims17
A method for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a steering mechanism including (i) a linearly moveable rack with a magnet mounted thereon and (ii) a rotary steering column operably connected to the rack, whereby rotation of the steering column through a steering column angle effects a linear movement of the rack;
- (b) establishing a predetermined transmission ratio between the steering column angle and an amount of rack travel;
- and
- (c) determining the steering angle solely by sensing a position of the rack after movement thereof.
1 more element
A method for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a steering mechanism including (i) a linearly moveable rack with a magnet mounted thereon and (ii) a rotary steering column operably connected to the rack, whereby rotation of the steering column through a steering column angle effects a linear movement of the rack;
- (b) establishing a predetermined transmission ratio between the steering column angle and an amount of rack travel;
- (c) determining the steering angle solely by sensing a position of the rack after movement thereof;
- and
- (d) validating the steering angle by a motor position signal from a drive motor provided for steering assistance.
2 more elements
A apparatus for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle comprising:
- (a) a rotatable steering column having a rotatable gear mounted thereon;
- (b) a rack gear disposed within a gear housing and operably connected to the rotatable gear for a linear movement when the steering column is rotated;
- (c) a single permanent magnet mounted on the rack gear;
- (d) an inductive transducer unit positioned operatively adjacent the rack and the permanent magnet to identify a position of the magnet and produce an output signal indicative of the steering angle;
- (e) a steering gear drive motor;
- and
- (f) a motor position sensor connected to a control unit and to the drive motor for effecting steering assistance.
4 more elements
An apparatus for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle comprising:
- (a) a rotatable steering column having a rotatable gear mounted thereon;
- (b) a rack gear disposed within a gear housing and operably connected to the rotatable gear for a linear movement when the steering column is rotated;
- (c) a single permanent magnet mounted on the rack gear;
- (d) an inductive transducer unit positioned operatively adjacent the rack and the permanent magnet to identify a position of the magnet and produce an output signal indicative of the steering angle.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.