Electric steering device with auto-steering function

Abstract

An electric power steering device for automotive vehicles which is capable of minimizing a driver's steering effort. The electric power steering device is designed to perform an automatic steering control. When a steering effort has fallen within a range of steering effort within which the driver is expected to have started to turn a steering wheel intentionally, the automatic steering control is initiated. When the steering effort has been shifted from that range, the automatic steering control is deactivated. This permits the driver's steering effort to be minimized as needed by the driver.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related documents [0002] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-37765 filed on February 16, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention generally relates to an electric steering apparatus equipped with a steering assist motor to assist steering of a steering wheel. Background technique [0004] Japanese First Laid-Open Patent No. 2003-267248 discloses an electric power steering device that can measure the steering torque of the steering shaft of an automobile and control an electric motor (ie, a power steering motor) as a function of the measured torque to generate a steering shaft power steering torque. [0005] As taught in the above-mentioned published patents, this type of electric power steering has a drawback: when the driver drives the vehicle into the garage at a lower speed and in a smaller turn, the driver himself will consume a l...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] As taught in the above-mentioned published patents, this type of electric power steering has a drawback: when the driver drives the vehicle into the garage at a lower speed and in a smaller turn, the driver himself will consume a lot of time and energy, thereby cause driver fatigue

As a result, the driver needs to turn the steering wheel back and forth, making it difficult to properly move the vehicle into the garage

[0006] Recently, a vehicle equipped with a rear surveillance camera, or a vehicle that automatically reverses into a garage using such a rear surveillance camera or a rear sensor has been used, however, this leads to an increase in the cost of the vehicle

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