Patent · US Expired

Analog-to-digital converter

US4882586A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 1986
Grant dateNov 21, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D6/007
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A power steering control unit for use with an electric motor assisted vehicle power steering system. The control unit includes two microprocessor controllers that monitor vehicle speed and a torque applied through a vehicle steering column in calculating a duty cycle for the assist motor. The response to the speeed and torque inputs can be adjusted by setting a group of four control switches on the vehicle dashboard. Each microprocessor not only calculates an optimum motor energization but also monitors motor performance. In the event this performance deviates from an expected range the assist is removed and in some cases corrective steps taken to correct the unit's performance. An electrically erasable read only memory coupled to the microprocessors stores constants needed in calculating an energization sequence. The EEROM also stores indicators of the control unit performance to aid in diagnosing difficulties.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.