Rear wheel steering control
US6580988B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/159
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is disclosed for controlling the rear wheel angle in a four-wheel steering vehicle such as a pickup truck. The front wheels are steered using the conventional operator handwheel linked to the front wheels. The rear wheels are actuated with a reversible electric motor and the rear wheel angle controlled using a computer with inputs of vehicle velocity, operator handwheel position and correlated front wheel angle, and handwheel turning rate. Control of rear wheel angle starts with a correlation of ratios of rear wheel angle to front wheel angle, R/F, vs. vehicle velocity suitable, determined under steady state front steering angle and velocity conditions, to maximize the contribution of the rear wheels while avoiding side-slip of the vehicle. It is found that driver steering feel and vehicle maneuverability is improved by imposing a minimum front wheel angle requirement before rear wheel steering is permitted and by modifying the current value of R/F with gain factors base d on the hand wheel angle and rate of motion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.