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:
Mar. 23, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2007
Masatoshi Nakatsu, Susono, JP;
Masatoshi Nakatsu, Susono, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota-shi, JP;
Abstract
In a steering apparatus, a differential lock mechanism has a lock holder in which a plurality of groove portions are formed on an outer periphery thereof, and selectively allows and prohibits to generate a difference of steering amount in the rotational direction between an input shaft and an output shaft by selectively engaging and disengaging an engaging portion with respect to the groove portions. A rotation sensor detects the position in the rotational direction of the lock holder during one rotation of the lock holder and repeatedly detects the same sensor pattern being output a plurality of times. A variable transfer ratio unit ECU detects which groove portion, from among the plurality of groove portions, the engaging portion is engaged with using the sensor pattern output by the rotation sensor when a side portion of one of the groove portions is pressing against a side portion of the engaging portion.