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:
Nov. 19, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 21, 2011
Nathaniel Ellis, Marysville, OH (US);
Andrew M. Sweigart, Grove City, OH (US);
Nathan Adam Powell, Leeds, AL (US);
Lonnie Eugene Driscoll, Huntsville, OH (US);
Nathaniel Ellis, Marysville, OH (US);
Andrew M. Sweigart, Grove City, OH (US);
Nathan Adam Powell, Leeds, AL (US);
Lonnie Eugene Driscoll, Huntsville, OH (US);
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column. An on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle determines or locates the center of the rack by detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes. The method monitors potential pinch point zones and reverses turning of the tires upon reaching the pinch threshold level and the automatic centering process is terminated.