Power on demand steering wheel angle sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsErick Michael Lavoie, Bradley G. Hochrein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for powering a steering angle sensor coupled to a steering wheel and a controller comprising a switch, coupled to the sensor and the controller. The switch is activated upon motion of the steering wheel or steering shaft. The switch, when activated, connects a power supply, such as a vehicle battery, to the sensor and the controller so that a new steering angle may be sensed and stored. After a predetermined period of time, the controller sends a signal to deactivate the switch and disconnect the power supply.
Claims7
A system for powering a steering angle sensor during ignition-off, the system comprising:
- a controller coupled to the steering angle sensor;
- a switch coupled to the steering angle sensor and the controller, the switch is activated by steering wheel motion during times when an ignition switch is powered off;
- and
- a power supply coupled to the switch and supplying power to the steering angle sensor and the controller for a predetermined time during times when the ignition switch is powered off such that, upon steering wheel motion that activates the switch, a newly sensed steering angle is stored in the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.