Vehicle steering controller and method
AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorToshiaki Kasahara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle steering device and control method for use in steer-by-wire steering systems. A steering instrument is operable to receive input from a driver and a turning device is operable to turn at least one wheel. A selectively engageable backup clutch is positioned between the steering instrument and the turning device. Engagement of the backup clutch results in a mechanical connection between the steering instrument and the turning device for assisting control of the at least one wheel, and release of the backup clutch results in a separation of the steering instrument and the turning device for steer-by-wire control of the at least one wheel. A controller is operable to switch from the steer-by-wire control to the assisting control when the backup clutch engages during operation of the steer-by-wire control.
Claims20
A vehicle steering device for steering at least one wheel of a vehicle, the steering device comprising:
- a steering instrument operable to receive input from a driver;
- a turning device operable to turn at least one wheel;
- a selectively engageable backup clutch positioned between the steering instrument and the turning device such that engaging the backup clutch results in a mechanical connection between the steering instrument and the turning device for assisting control of the at least one wheel and releasing the backup clutch results in a separation of the steering instrument and the turning device for steer-by-wire control of the at least one wheel;
- and
- a controller configured to switch from the steer-by-wire control to the assisting control when the backup clutch engages during operation of the steer-by-wire control.
A vehicle steering device for at least one wheel, the steering device comprising:
- steering means for receiving instructions for the at least one wheel from a driver;
- turning means for turning the at least one wheel;
- clutch means selectively engageable between the steering means and the turning means for mechanically connecting the steering means and the turning means for assisting control of the at least one wheel when the clutch means is engaged and for separating the steering means and the turning means for steer-by-wire control of the at least one wheel when the clutch means is not engaged;
- and
- means for switching from the steer-by-wire control to the assisting control when the clutch means engages during operation of the steer-by-wire control.
A vehicle steering control method for controlling at least one wheel using a steer-by-wire steering system including a steering instrument and a turning device responsive to signals from the steering instrument and a selectively engageable backup clutch between the steering instrument and the turning device, the method comprising:
- operating the steer-by-wire steering system according to steer-by-wire control using a controller when a release instruction is sent to the backup clutch;
- operating the steer-by-wire steering system according to assisting control using the controller when the backup clutch is engaged so as to mechanically couple the steering instrument and the turning device;
- and
- switching from the steer-by-wire control to the assisting control using the controller when the backup clutch engages during operation of the steer-by-wire control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.