Patent ID: 6278922
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A device for controlling a steering angle of a vehicle comprising:a steering drive means for rotatably driving a steering shaft;a steering angle detection means for producing a rotational angle of said steering shaft as a detected angular value; anda target torque operation means for operating a target torque to be applied to said steering shaft based on a deviation between a target angle of said steering shaft and a steering angle based on said detected angular value, wherein said target torque is applied to said steering shaft through said steering drive means so that said steering angle is brought into agreement with said target angle;wherein said steering angle detection means includes:a first potentiometer that produces a first detected angular value proportional to a rotational position over a first angular range in which said steering shaft can be turned; anda second potentiometer that produces a second detected angular value proportional to a rotational position over a second angular range which includes a neutral point of said steering shaft and is narrower than said first angular range; andwherein said target torque operation means includes an angle operation unit for operating said steering angle based on said first and second detected angular values; andwherein said angle operation unit produces said first detected angular value as said steering angle when said first detected angular value lies outside said second angular range, and produces said second detected angular value as said steering angle when said first detected angular value lies within said second angular range.