Patent ID: 6763293
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A method for determining a steering wheel angle calibration reference value of a vehicle's steering mechanism wherein the vehicle includes a battery, an active yaw controller that saves the steering wheel angle calibration reference value, and a relative steering wheel angle sensor, wherein both the active yaw controller and the relative steering wheel angle sensor interact directly with the vehicle's car area network, the method comprising the steps of:supplying power directly to the relative steering wheel angle sensor from a battery in the vehicle; determining if the vehicle is traveling forward down a straight path; determining a steering wheel angle value from the relative steering wheel angle sensor; periodically updating the steering wheel angle calibration reference value with the steering wheel angle value from the relative steering wheel angle sensor; determining whether power to the relative steering wheel angle sensor has been interrupted; re-establishing power to the relative steering wheel angle sensor; sending a discontinuity flag from the relative steering wheel angle sensor to the active yaw controller via a car area network in the vehicle; and determining an updated steering wheel angle calibration reference value when the active yaw controller receives a discontinuity flag.