IP Library Granted Patent US 7,717,224
Granted Patent B2
US 7,717,224 · App. 11/328,874 · Granted May 18, 2010

Power steering device for four-wheel drive vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,717,224
App. No.
11/328,874
Granted
May 18, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention offers a power steering device for a four-wheel drive, which includes: a first self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque generated in a current vehicle behavior as a first self-aligning torque; a second self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque that is to influence a subsequent vehicle behavior as a second self-aligning torque; a self-aligning torque change amount calculation unit for calculating a difference of the second self-aligning torque from the first self-aligning torque as a self-aligning torque change amount; and an assisting force correction unit for determining and outputting a corrected value of an assisting force to be generated for a steering operation based on the self-aligning torque change amount. Therefore, even when the self-aligning torque changes as the distribution of the front and rear driving power is variably controlled, a corresponding assisting force is generated, maintaining a natural steering feeling without causing an unpleasant sensation to the driver.

Claims (10)

1. A power steering device for a four-wheel drive vehicle, in which driving force from an engine is controlled to be variably distributed to front and rear wheels, comprising:

a self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque generated in a current vehicle behavior as a first self-aligning torque and for estimating a self-aligning torque that is to influence a subsequent vehicle behavior as a second self-aligning torque;

a self-aligning torque change amount calculation unit for calculating a difference of the second self-aligning torque from the first self-aligning torque as a self-aligning torque change amount; and

an assisting force correction unit for determining and outputting a corrected value of an assisting force to be generated for a steering operation based on the self-aligning torque change amount.

2. The power steering device according to claim 1 , further comprising a front wheel side driving torque estimation unit for estimating a front wheel side driving torque that acts on the front wheels, wherein

the self-aligning torque estimation unit estimates the first self-aligning torque based on at least the front wheel side driving torque previously estimated by the front wheel side driving torque estimation unit, and estimates the second self-aligning torque based on at least the front wheel side driving torque currently estimated by the front wheel side driving torque estimation unit.

3. A power steering device for a four-wheel drive vehicle, in which driving force from an engine is controlled to be variably distributed to front and rear wheels, comprising:

a self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque generated in a current vehicle behavior as a first self-aligning torque and, for estimating a self-aligning torque that is to influence a subsequent vehicle behavior as a second self-aligning torque, utilizing a received side slip angle signal, a received previous front wheel driving torque signal, a received front wheel side current time front wheel side driving torque signal, and a characteristic map on which the self-aligning torque versus the braking/driving force for various sideslip angles is plotted for the particular vehicle type;

a self-aligning torque change amount calculation unit for calculating a difference of the second self-aligning torque from the first self-aligning torque as a self-aligning torque change amount; and

an assisting force correction unit for determining and outputting a corrected value of an assisting force to be generated for a steering operation based on the self-aligning torque change amount.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 033989/0220 →