The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 18, 1995
Filed:
Aug. 26, 1994
John R Bradley, Clarkston, MI (US);
Thomas A Perry, Washington, MI (US);
Richard E Teets, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Martin S Meyer, Southfield, MI (US);
Jeffrey A Sell, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Thomas H Van Steenkiste, Ray, MI (US);
Frank J Bohac, Jr, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Jerry S Roach, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Manfred W Reissmueller, Orange, CA (US);
Everett K Shelton, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Dozier: James R, San Juan Capistrano, CA (US);
Hiro Yamasaki, Palos Verdes Estate, CA (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Hughes Aircraft Company, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus for sensing a vehicle steering wheel position. A permanent magnet target wheel having a global axial magnetic field normal to a first surface is attached to a steering shaft which is rotated by the steering wheel. Multiple regions equally spaced along a common radius on the first surface are magnetically altered and sensed by magnetically responsive sensors positioned adjacent the first radius. A single region positioned within a finite radius along a second radius on the first surface is magnetically altered and sensed by a magnetically responsive sensor positioned adjacent the second radius. The magnetic sensors are responsive to passage of the multiple regions and single region as the target wheel is rotated. Detection of each of the multiple regions corresponds to rotation of the target wheel by an incremental number of degrees. Detection of the single region corresponds to a target wheel position within a predetermined angular range, referred to as the center position. A turn counter is utilized to determine which of the center positions corresponds to the steering wheel neutral position.