# US 8,788,149 B2 · Steering control device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,149 B2 - Document ID: US8788149B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/375,605 - Filed: 2010-08-05 - Published: 2012-11-01 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-05 - Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Yukihide Kimura; Ryota Osumi - Inventors: Yukihide Kimura; Ryota Osumi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788149B2 ## CPC - B62D 6/008: {Control of feed-back to the steering input member, e.g. simulating road feel in steer-by-wire applications} - B62D 1/10: Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable (B62D1/11 takes precedence) - B62D 1/18: yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable (padded linings associated with the steering column B60R21/05) - B62D 1/187: with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment (B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence) - B62D 5/008: {Changing the transfer ratio between the steering wheel and the steering gear by variable supply of energy, e.g. by using a superposition gear} - B62D 6/001: {the torque NOT being among the input parameters} - B62D 6/002: {computing target steering angles for front or rear wheels (B62D7/159 takes precedence)} - B62D 6/007: {adjustable by the driver, e.g. sport mode} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A CPU changes a turning angle corresponding to a steering angle required for a steering device to steer a host vehicle, depending on the amount of operation for moving a steering wheel at a reference position in a tilt direction and a push-pull direction. A tilt reaction force device and a push-pull reaction force device generate a reaction force against a second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position according to the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by a tilt/expansion mechanism. In this way, even when the reference position of the steering wheel is changed, it is possible to give an appropriate reaction force to the driver since a reaction force against, for example, an operation of pushing or pulling the steering wheel is generated according to the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering control device comprising: a reference position adjusting unit that adjusts a reference position of a steering wheel relative to a driver; a steering unit that steers a host vehicle according to an amount of steering corresponding to a first operation amount of the steering wheel by the driver in a first direction; a steering angle change unit that changes the amount of steering corresponding to the first operation amount required for the steering unit to steer the host vehicle, depending on a second operation amount of the steering wheel by the driver in a second direction; and a reaction force generating unit that generates a reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position according to the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit, wherein the first operation amount is a rotation angle of the steering wheel about the rotating shaft, and the second operation amount is the amount of movement of the steering wheel at the reference position in at least one of a direction parallel to the rotating shaft of the steering wheel and a direction in which the steering wheel is tilted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering control device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction force generating unit increases the reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit becomes closer to the driver, and decreases the reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit becomes further away from the driver. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering control device according to claim 1, wherein the steering angle change unit changes the amount of change in the amount of steering corresponding to the first operation amount required for the steering unit to steer the host vehicle depending on the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position, according to the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steering control device according to claim 3, wherein the steering angle change unit decreases the amount of change in the amount of steering corresponding to the first operation amount required for the steering unit to steer the host vehicle depending on the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit becomes closer to the driver, and increases the amount of change in the amount of steering corresponding to the first operation amount required for the steering unit to steer the host vehicle depending on the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the reference position of the steering wheel relative to the driver which is adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit becomes further away from the driver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering control device according to claim 1, wherein the reference position adjusting unit can adjust an absolute height of the reference position of the steering wheel, and the reaction force generating unit generates the reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position, according to the absolute height of the reference position of the steering wheel adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The steering control device according to claim 5, wherein the reference position adjusting unit increases the reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the absolute height of the reference position of the steering wheel adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit increases, and decreases the reaction force against the second operation amount for moving the steering wheel from the reference position as the absolute height of the reference position of the steering wheel adjusted by the reference position adjusting unit decreases. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The steering control device according to claim 5, wherein the reference position adjusting unit adjusts an inclination angle of the rotating shaft of the steering wheel in a front-rear direction of the host vehicle to adjust the absolute height of the reference position of the steering wheel.