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:
Aug. 21, 2007
Filed:
May. 26, 2003
Hiroaki Kato, Hekinan, JP;
Minekazu Momiyama, Chiryu-shi, JP;
Shoji Ogawa, Chiryu-shi, JP;
Kenji Asano, Toyota-shi, JP;
Yuzou Imoto, Chita-gun, JP;
Yoshiyuki Yasui, Nagoya-shi, JP;
Wataru Tanaka, Anjo-shi, JP;
Eiichi Ono, Toyota-shi, JP;
Yuji Muragishi, Nagoya-shi, JP;
Hiroaki Kato, Hekinan, JP;
Minekazu Momiyama, Chiryu-shi, JP;
Shoji Ogawa, Chiryu-shi, JP;
Kenji Asano, Toyota-shi, JP;
Yuzou Imoto, Chita-gun, JP;
Yoshiyuki Yasui, Nagoya-shi, JP;
Wataru Tanaka, Anjo-shi, JP;
Eiichi Ono, Toyota-shi, JP;
Yuji Muragishi, Nagoya-shi, JP;
Jtekt Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Kariya-shi, JP;
Abstract
In a steering apparatus, in accordance with a grip limit control process ('), it is determined whether or not a grip degree ε estimated by a grip degree estimation arithmetically operating process () is less than a predetermined grip degree (ε′), and in the case that it is determined that an estimated grip degree (ε) is less than the predetermined grip degree (ε′), the process applies such a feeling that a steering operation by a steering wheel suddenly becomes light to a driver, by suddenly increasing an assist quantity by a motor (M), thereby notifying the driver of the matter that the grip degree of a steered wheel is close to a limit. Therefore, it is possible to transmit to the driver a probability that a side slip is generated by further turning the steering wheelin the same direction as the current direction, thereby calling the driver's attention for steering. Accordingly, there is an effect that a stability of a vehicle behavior can be improved without applying any fear of insecurity to the driver.