Patent ID: 6709073
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A force generating apparatus for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal, comprising:a force applying Element coupled to the moving element and selectively operable in an apply mode, a release mode, and a normal mode, for applying the force to the moving element in the apply mode, removing force from the moving element in the release mode, and neither applying nor removing a force on the moving element in the normal mode; an actuator coupled to said force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal; and, a controller for determining when the force applying element is in the apply mode, determining the elapsed time until reversion to the normal mode, determining when the elapsed time is greater than a predefined minimum, modifying the value of the electrical force signal sent to the actuator only after the elapsed time exceeds the predefined minimum, and modifying a stored control parameter.