IP Library Granted Patent US 11,654,952
Granted Patent B2
US 11,654,952 · App. 16/684,742 · Granted May 23, 2023

Steering device

Inventors: Yuki Hayashi (Kariya, JP); Takaaki Koizumi (Kariya, JP)
Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
B62D1/06B60R16/037B60W40/08B62D1/046H05B3/20
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,654,952
App. No.
16/684,742
Granted
May 23, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steering device includes: a sensor drive unit configured to drive a sensor element provided in a steering to detect a gripped state of the steering; and a heater drive unit configured to drive a heater provided in the steering, in which the sensor drive unit executes driving of the sensor element periodically at an interval, the heater drive unit executes heater driving alternately with sensor driving by the sensor drive unit, and the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the steering is gripped, compared with a state where the steering is not gripped.

Claims (43)

1. A steering device comprising:

a controller including a sensor drive unit configured to drive a sensor element provided in a steering wheel to detect a gripped state of the steering wheel; and a heater drive unit configured to drive a heater provided in the steering wheel, wherein

the sensor drive unit executes driving of the sensor element periodically at an interval,

the heater drive unit executes heater driving alternately with sensor driving by the sensor drive unit, and

the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the steering wheel is gripped, compared with a state where the steering wheel is not gripped.

2. The steering device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a traveling state determination unit configured to determine a traveling state of a vehicle, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the vehicle is in a traveling state and the steering wheel is gripped, compared with a state where the vehicle is stopped and the steering wheel is not gripped.

3. The steering device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a traveling state determination unit configured to determine a traveling state of a vehicle, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is shortened in a state where the vehicle is in a traveling state and the steering wheel is not gripped, compared with a state where the vehicle is stopped and the steering wheel is not gripped.

4. The steering device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a traveling state determination unit configured to determine a traveling state of a vehicle, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is shortened in a state where the vehicle is in a traveling state and the steering wheel is not gripped, compared with a state where the vehicle is stopped and the steering wheel is not gripped.

5. The steering device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a steering state determination unit configured to determine a steered state of the steering wheel on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the steering wheel is steered, compared with a state where the steering wheel is not steered.

6. The steering device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a steering state determination unit configured to determine a steered state of the steering wheel on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the steering wheel is steered, compared with a state where the steering wheel is not steered.

7. The steering device according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a steering state determination unit configured to determine a steered state of the steering wheel on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein

the interval of sensor driving is expanded in a state where the steering wheel is steered, compared with a state where the steering wheel is not steered.

8. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein

the heater drive unit starts the heater driving when it is detected that the steering wheel is in a gripped state.

9. The steering device according to claim 2 , wherein

the heater drive unit starts the heater driving when it is detected that the steering wheel is in a gripped state.

10. The steering device according to claim 3 , wherein

the heater drive unit starts the heater driving when it is detected that the steering wheel is in a gripped state.

11. The steering device according to claim 5 , wherein

the heater drive unit starts the heater driving when it is detected that the steering wheel is in a gripped state.

12. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein

an amount of energization current to the heater is changed in addition to changing the interval of sensor driving.

13. The steering device according to claim 12 , wherein

the amount of energization current to the heater is decreased when the interval of sensor driving is expanded.

14. The steering device according to claim 12 , wherein

the amount of energization current to the heater is increased when the interval of sensor driving is expanded.

15. The steering device according to claim 12 , wherein

the amount of energization current to the heater is decreased when the interval of sensor driving is shortened.

16. The steering device according to claim 12 , wherein

the amount of energization current to the heater is increased when the interval of sensor driving is shortened.

17. The steering device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor element is a capacitance sensor.

Assignments (3)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 5, 2022
From: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA; AISIN CORPORATION
To: AISIN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058570/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2019
From: HAYASHI, YUKI; KOIZUMI, TAKAAKI
To: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 051016/0865 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2019
From: EDWARDS, JOSHUA; MONTEALEGRE, ANDREA; BHATT, GAURANG
To: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 051016/0992 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-215768 · Nov 16, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200156689A1 · May 21, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,304,550