JPH0245267A - Means for judging original position of rotary member - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the speed of judgement by dividing an original point zone into a plurality of sub-zone where some parts overrup each other, judging as an original position, a sub-zone having contributed for detecting the area of the original point continuously over a specified time, and making the adjacent sub-zone as the original positions in renewing the original position. CONSTITUTION:A steering angle sensor 100 is composed of a rotary disc 1 interlocked with the steering of a handle, and photo-interruptures (photoelectric sensors) 2 - 4. The photoelectric sensors 2, 3 and 4 are, respectively, arranged in slits 1a formed at a same angle distance at the outer circumference of a rotary disc 1 and a slit 1b formed as an original point zone with an angle width over 3 angle degree pitch or more than of that of the slit 1a. The original zones are respectively divided into sub-zones where some are superposed on the basis of the rotary angle position in detecting the areas of the original points. A sub-zone having contributed for detecting the area of original point is judged as the original point, and then the adjacent sub-zone is judged as the original points.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is used to determine the origin position (steering neutral position) of a rotating body that rotates in conjunction with steering wheel steering of a vehicle, etc. when the body is traveling straight ahead. The present invention relates to a suitable origin position determination device for a rotating body.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, a plurality of slits are opened at equal angular intervals (predetermined angular pitch) in a rotating disk that rotates in conjunction with steering wheel steering, and two photoink laminations are placed at the passing positions of the slits. They are placed adjacent to each other and perform various controls linked to steering wheel operation.

In other words, the first and second
A pulsed electrical signal (two-phase incremental signal) with the same waveform but with a phase shift of approximately 90″ is applied to the photo incrector.
This incremental signal is counted to detect the steering direction and steering angle.

Normally, it is impossible to detect the origin position using only the two-phase incremental signals, so in order to detect the origin position, an origin slit is provided in the rotating disk, and this origin slit is connected to the third photo ink club. The system uses a 3-bit configuration in which an origin signal is obtained by passing, and a method is adopted in which the relative position of the rotating disk from the origin position is detected using an incremental signal.

However, considering misalignment of the serrations between the steering shaft and the steering wheel, mounting tolerances between the steering shaft and steering sensor, poor adjustment of the wheel alignment, etc., the assembly error reaches tens of inches in the worst case. Normally, in order to obtain the origin signal, the angular width of the origin slit provided in the rotating disk is expanded, and even if there is an assembly error of several tens of degrees, the origin signal can be obtained as long as the vehicle is traveling straight. It is assumed that it is possible to do so.

As a result, a problem arises in that the origin position cannot be specified only by the presence or absence of the origin signal. A steering position detection device has been proposed. That is, this steering position detection device includes a steering angle detection means that is provided on a steering member that rotates by a steering operation, detects a steering angle, and outputs a steering angle signal, and a steering angle detection means that detects a steering angle and outputs a steering angle signal. , a neutral zone detection means for detecting a predetermined steering range (origin range in the present invention) and outputting a steering neutral zone signal, and calculating an average value of the steering angle signal when the steering neutral zone signal is detected. ,
The system is equipped with a neutral position calculation means that outputs this average value as a neutral position signal, and by using such a steering position detection device, the vehicle can be operated regardless of the maintenance status of the vehicle or the number of occupants in the vehicle. It is assumed that the steering neutral position can be detected in a straight-ahead state.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, according to such a steering position detection device,
Since the average value while the steering neutral zone signal is being detected is calculated and output as a neutral position signal, there is a problem in that it takes time to obtain a new neutral position signal to be updated.

In addition, in order to calculate the average value of the steering angle signal when the steering neutral zone signal is detected, a moving average calculation is performed for weighting, and the average value is calculated. Due to the processing calculations, the circuit configuration becomes complicated.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and includes a slit zone provided at a predetermined angular pitch on the outer peripheral edge surface and an origin zone provided with an angular width wider than the 3-angular pitch of this slit zone. a rotating body that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in conjunction with an external operation; a rotational position detection means that detects the rotational angular position of the rotating body based on passage of the rotating body through a slit zone; origin range detection means for detecting the origin range of the rotating body based on passage of the origin zone of the body; and while the origin range is being detected by the origin range detection means, the rotation angle position detected by the rotational position detection means is dividing the origin zone into a plurality of subzones that partially overlap each other based on the
origin position determining means for determining a subzone that has contributed to the detection of the origin range for a predetermined period of time or more to be the origin position among the divided subzones; The subzone adjacent to the direction of the subzone that contributed to the detection of the range is determined as the origin position.

Further, an origin position determining means is provided for determining, as the origin position, a subzone that continuously contributes to the detection of the origin range while traveling for a predetermined distance or more among the divided subzones, and when updating the origin position, the The subzone adjacent to the direction of the subzone that continuously contributed to the detection of the origin range while traveling is determined as the origin position.

[Effect]

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the origin position before determination and the origin position after determination are not mutually adjacent subzones, it is possible to asymptotically approach the true origin position for each subzone while shifting the origin position one by one. It becomes possible.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the apparatus for determining the origin position of a rotating body according to the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of this origin position determining device. In the figure, reference numeral 5 inputs a pulsed electric signal sent out from a rotational position detection sensor (steering angle sensor) 100 (see FIG. 2), and sends out processed signals (up signal and down signal) in accordance with steering wheel steering. U.P.
The /DOWN switching circuit 6 is an UP/DOWN counter which receives the processed signal sent from the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 as an input.

The steering angle sensor 100 is composed of a rotating disk 1 that rotates in conjunction with steering wheel steering, and photo ink drives 2 to 4 each having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Slits 1a of the same shape are formed on the surface at equal angular intervals (predetermined angular pitch P). Photointerrupters 2 and 3 are arranged adjacent to each other at the position where the slit 1a passes, and the photointerrupters 2 and 3 are affected by the passage of the slit 1a as the rotary disk 1 rotates, as shown in FIG. As shown in (a) and (b), pulsed electrical signals having the same waveform and alternating "1" level and "0" level are generated. That is, from the steering state shown in Figure 2, if you turn the steering wheel clockwise (clockwise in Figure 2),
When an electrical signal in the positive direction centered on point N is rotated counterclockwise, an electrical signal in the negative direction centered on point N is generated. The electrical signal generated in the photo-interrupter 2 is 90" ahead of the electrical signal generated in the photo-interrupter 3 in phase, and is at the origin position (steering neutral position) of the rotating disk 1, which is ideal in design, that is, at the third position. At point N shown in the figure, the electrical signal generated in the photointerrupter 2 is in the falling or rising period when it changes from the "1" level to the "0" level or from the rOJ level to the "1" level, and the photointerrupter 3
The electrical signal generated at is in the "0" level state. The electrical signals sent from the photointerrupters 2 and 3 are input to the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5.

On the other hand, at a predetermined rotation angle position on the outer peripheral edge surface of the rotating disk 1,
A slit 1b is provided independently as an origin zone, and passage through this slit 1b is detected by a photo ink printer 4. That is, slit 1b
The rotational position facing the photo ink club 4 is the origin range of the rotating disk 1, and the angular width of this origin range, that is, the angular width α of the slit 1b, is determined by the deviation of the serrations between the steering shaft and the steering wheel, the steering shaft In this embodiment, the angular width α of the slit 1b is set to 60″, which is set to be larger than the worst case of the assembly error considering installation tolerances between the steering sensor and the steering sensor, poor adjustment of the wheel alignment, etc. According to the inventor's research, the worst case of the above assembly error is 50".
Since this value has been experimentally obtained, if the angular width α of the slit 1b is set to 60°, the electric signal sent by the photointerrupter 4 will always be at the "1" level when the vehicle is traveling straight. Origin range detection signal (Fig. 3)
C)) can be obtained. Then, this rlJ level origin range detection signal is transmitted to the terminal 10 in FIG.
1, one end of AND gate 8 and inverter 9
It is supplied to one end of the OR gate 10 and 11 through the gate.

Here, the photointerrupter 4 is located at the center of the angular width α of the slit 1b at the ideal origin position in the design of the rotary disk 1, that is, at the point N shown in FIG. In addition, in this embodiment, the slit 1
The angle width α of b is 5 times the angle width P of slit 1a (5
It is set slightly wider than the angular pitch).

On the other hand, the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 processes the input pulsed electric signal and sends out a number of up and down signals from its output terminals 5a and 5b according to the amount of right and left steering of the steering wheel. However, the tlP/DOWN counter 6 counts up or down its count value by the number of input up signals or down signals. That is, based on the origin position which is ideal in the design of the rotating disk 1, UP/D
The count value in the OWN counter 6 is basically set to zero, and by turning the steering wheel to the right, the count value changes.
The signal is sequentially increased at each falling edge of the output of the photointerrupter 2. Further, by turning the steering wheel to the left, the count value is sequentially decreased at each rising edge of the output of the photo ink converter 2. That is, in Fig. 3, if the handle is rotated to the right from point N, UP/D will be achieved at point a.
The count value in the OWN counter 6 will increase sequentially to +1, +2 at point b, and +3 at point C. If you rotate it to the left from point N, the count value in the up/down counter 6 will increase at point d. is -1
The value decreases sequentially to -2 at point e and -3 at point f. Then, the count value in the IJP/DOWN counter 6 is given to the decoder 7, and the decoder 7 selects the output terminal at the position corresponding to the supplied count value, and sets the level to "0" or "1". '', it is configured to control external equipment such as a cornering lamp system, which is operated in conjunction with steering wheel steering. In this figure,
Although the output terminal 7aL of the decoder 7 is not shown, the UP/
When the count value in DOWN counter 6 is +0,
The output level of this output terminal 7a is "1".

The output signal generated at the output terminal 7a of the decoder 7 is supplied as the "D" input of the D flip-flop 23 via one end of the AND gate 21 and the inverter 22, and is applied to rQJ of the D flip-flop 23.
The output is input to one end of AND gates 24 and 25. The rQJ and "Q bar" outputs of the D flip-flop 26 are applied to the other ends of the AND gates 24 and 25, and the UP/DOWN counter 6
The "QIl" output, which is at the "0" level when the count value is positive and is at the "1" level when it is negative, is provided as the rDJ input of the D flip-flop 26. The outputs of the AND gates 24 and 25 are supplied to the first input terminal 27a and the second input terminal 27b of the encoder 27, and the outputs of the AND gate 24 and 25 are supplied to the third input terminal 27c of the encoder 27. The outputs of 25 and 25 are input via an inverter 35 via an OR gate 28.

On the other hand, the clock signal sent out by the reference clock generator 12 is applied to the other end of the AND gate 8, and its count-up operation based on the clock signal that passes through the AND gate 8 and is manually input, counter 1
3 and 14, an overflow signal (C
ARRY (No. 8) is sent, and this “1” level CA
The RRY signal is provided as the rCPJ input of D flip-flops 23 and 26 via OR gate 15, and is also provided as its rSJ input to R-S flip-flop 32. Then, the rQJ output of the R/S flip-flop 32 is given to the other end of the AND gate 21, and is input through the AND gate 21.
A one-shot signal is sent out from the one-shot multi-by-break (hereinafter simply referred to as one-shot) 33 in response to the output signal at level 1, and this one-shot signal is given to the υP/DOWN counter 6 as its load signal. It becomes. When this load signal is input to the tlP/DOWN counter 6, if a "1" level signal is set at the input terminal 27a of the encoder 27, based on the output state of the encoder 27 at this time, [JP The count value in the /DOWN counter 6 is set to +1. Also, tl
When a load signal is input to the P/DOWN counter 6, if a "1" level signal is set to the input terminal 27b of the encoder 27, the UP/DOWN counter 6 is input based on the output state of the encoder 27 at this time. If the count value is set to 1 and a "1" level signal is set to the input terminal 27c of the encoder 27, the UP/DOWN is set based on the output state of the encoder 27 at this time. The count value in the counter 6 is set to +0.

Note that the one-shot 34 is activated at the falling edge of the one-shot signal sent out by the one-shot 33, and the R-S flip-flop 32 is reset by the one-shot signal sent out by the one-shot 34. It becomes.

On the other hand, the up signal and down signal sent out by the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 are also given as rCPJ inputs of the T flip-flop 17 via the OR game) 16.
・rQJ output of flip-flop 17 and "Q bar"
The output is input to one end of AND gates 18 and 19,
The outputs of 2-bit shift registers 41 and 42 are applied to the other ends of AND gates 18 and 19 via an OR gate 40. And gate 1
8 and 19, one-shot signals are sent out from the one-shots 43 and 44. A level signal is applied to counters 14 and 13 via OR gates 10 and 11 as a reset signal.

Note that the shift registers 41 and 42 are D flip-flops 41-1. 41-2, 42-1, 422, and D flip-flops 41-1.41-
2 rCPJ inputs and D flip-flop 42-1
．． The up signal sent out from the tlP/DOWN switching circuit 5 is given as the rRJ input of the D flip-flop 42-1 and the rcP of the D flip-flop 42-2.
J input and D flip-flop 41-1. 41-
The down signal sent out by the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 is given as the "R" input of No. 2.

Next, the operation of the device configured in this way will be explained.

Now, if the automobile is traveling straight and the rotary disk 1 is in the true straight-ahead steering position and is located at the ideal origin position in terms of design as shown in FIG. While the origin range detection signal of level 1 is being input, the time for the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 to reach +0 is warmly longer than the time for it to continue at other values. That is, rl via terminal 101
While the J-level origin range detection signal is being input, the clock signal sent from the reference clock generator 12 passes through the AND gate 8 and is supplied to the counters 13 and 14.

The count value of UP/DOWN counter 6 is ±O
When a predetermined period of time elapses while maintaining the UP/D
When a predetermined period of time has elapsed without sending out either an up signal or a down signal from the OWN switching circuit 5, the counters 13 and 14 send out a CARRY signal at the "1" level due to the count amplifier operation based on the supplied clock signal. The CARRY signal at level 1 is applied to the rcPJ input of the D flip-flop 23, 26 and the S input of the R/S flip-flop 32 via the OR game 15. At this time, since the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 maintains +0, the level of the output terminal 7a of the decoder 7 is "1", and therefore the rQJ output of the D flip-flop 23 indicates that the rCPJ power is "1". ” level, the outputs of the AND gates 24 and 25 maintain the “0” level state, and the encoder 27 has its input terminal 27.
A signal at the "1" level will continue to be set to "c".

That is, "l" sent out from counters 13 and 14
When the R-S flip-flop 32 is set by the CARRY signal at the "1" level, the rQJ output at the "1" level passes through the AND gate 21. As a result, a load signal is given to the IP/DOWN counter 6 via the one shot 33, and the encoder 2 at this time
Based on the setting state of the "1" level signal to the input terminal 27c of the UP/DOWN counter 6, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is reset to +0. In this case, U.P.
The count value of the /DOWN counter 6 is already ±0, and based on such an operation, the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is maintained at +0 in the straight-ahead steering position.

Here, from the counters 13 and 14, the C
Before the ARRY signal is sent, the count in the UP/DOWN counter 6 (directly from +0 to +1 or +0
Assume that the value has shifted from -1 to -1.

That is, if an up signal is sent from the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 and the count value in the IIP/DOWN counter 6 increases by +1 from +0, then the UP/DOWN
The up signal sent by the WN switching circuit 5 is sent to the OR gate 16.
It is also applied to the T flip-flop 17 via the T flip-flop 17. T
- The flip-flop 17 receives the up signal via the OR gate 16 and outputs its "Q" and "Q bar" signals.
The output is set to "1" and "0" levels. On the other hand, UP/
The up signal sent by the DOWN switching circuit 5 is sent to the D flip-flops 41-1 .
41-2 and the D flip-flop 42-1 configuring the shift register 42. 42-2 rR
J input, and sets the "Q" output of the D flip-flop 41-1 to "1" level, while the D flip-flops, the flip-flops 42-1 . 42-2 is placed in a reset state. That is, even if the "1" level rQJ output sent from the T flip-flop 17 is given to one end of the AND gate 18, the output of the OR gate 4° to the other end does not become the rlJ level state. Since the one-shot signal is not sent out, the counting operation in the counter 14 is not reset.Of course, the counting operation in the counter 13 is also not reset because the one-shot signal is not sent out from the one-shot 44.In this way, , when a predetermined period of time has elapsed in the counters 13 and 14, a CARRY signal of "1" level is sent out from the counters 13 and 14 by a count-up operation based on the supplied clock signal, and by the same operation as described above, the UP/ The current value in the DOWN counter 6 is returned from +1 to +0.

In addition, from the counters 13 and 14, the CA of level "1"
If the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 shifts from ±O to +1 and then from +1 to +0 before the RRY signal is sent out, the down signal sent out from the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 It is applied to the T-flip-flop 17 via the OR gate 16, and the "Q" output and "Q-bar" output of this T-flip-flop 17 are set to "0" and "1" levels. On the other hand, UP/DO
The down signal sent out by the WN switching circuit 5 is transmitted to the D flip-flop 42-1.42- constituting the shift register 42.
2 and a D flip-flop 41-1 configuring the shift register 41. 41-2's "RJ large input" is given, "Q" of D flip-flop 42-1
While the output is at rlJ level, D flip-flop 4
1-1. 41-2 is brought into a reset state. That is,
Even if the "1" level "Q bar" output sent from the T flip-flop 17 is given to one end of the AND gate 19, the output of the OR gate 40 to the other end does not become rlJ level, so from the one shot 44 The one-shot signal is not sent, and the counting operation in the counter 13 is not reset.

In other words, the total time during which the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 maintains +0 and +1 is counted by the counters 13 and 14, and the UP/DOWN
The count value in N counter 6 is ±O or +1
When it becomes , it will be reset to +0.

The above describes the operation when the count value in the LIP/DOWN counter 6 goes down from 0 to +1, but in the same way when it goes down from ±0 to 11,
The count value in UP/DOWN counter 6 is +0
Alternatively, when it becomes -1, it is reset to +0.

In this way, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is determined by the number of slits la formed in the rotating disk 1.
With the angular pitch width as the detection zone, ±O will continue to be maintained at the straight-ahead steering position. That is, by appropriately determining the number of counts up until the input clock signals to the counters 13 and 14 overflow, the count values of the UP/DOWN counter 6 are set to In a short period of time when two count values are continued,
The counting operation of the clock signals in the counters 13 and 14 is reset based on the amplifier signal and the down signal via the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5. For example, when the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 goes from +0 to +1 and then goes down by +2, the amplifier signal sent from the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 at this time causes the T flip-flop 17 to
The "Q" and "Q bar" outputs of "Q" and "Q bar" become "0" and "1" levels, and the rQJ output of the D flip-flop 41-2 in the shift register 41 becomes "1" level,
A one-shot signal is now sent from the one-shot 44, and the counting operation in the counter 13 is reset. That is, +1. in the UP/DOWN counter 6. Since the time to maintain +2 is much shorter than the time to maintain +0, counters 13 and 14
By appropriately determining the number of increments until the input clock signal overflows, it is possible to prevent the counters 13 and 14 from sending out a CARRY signal of the "1" level at this time.

On the other hand, in cases where the rotating disk 1 is deviated from the ideal design origin position due to assembly errors, the correction operation that is a feature of this embodiment can be quickly performed as follows. This makes it possible to control external devices in conjunction with the steering wheel without any problems.

In other words, when the rotating disk 1 is at the ideal design origin position, the distance from point Zl (f) shown in FIG. 3 to Z2
When the range up to point (c) is defined as the origin zone in Sri y) lb, within the region from point d to point b (hereinafter referred to as the first subzone) that divides this origin zone or point a to point e (hereinafter referred to as the second subzone), while driving straight, UP/
The count value in DOWN counter 6 is +0 and +
The time for continuing 1 or +0 and -l becomes longer.

However, if the rotating disk 1 is deviated from the ideal designed origin position due to assembly error, the count value on the UP/DOWN counter 6 will be a value other than ±0 while driving straight. It takes longer to maintain. for example,
The count value in tlP/DOWN counter 6 is +2
Alternatively, if -2 continues for a long time, the area from point a to point C (hereinafter referred to as the third subzone) that divides the origin zone or the area from point d to point 1 (hereinafter referred to as the third subzone) This region is referred to as the fourth subzone), the time during which the count value in the tlP/DOWN counter 6 continues to be +1 and +2 or -1 and -2 becomes longer.

If the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 continues to be +1 and +2 for a long time in the third subzone, when the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is +1 or +2, that is, a part of them overlap each other. At the time when the third subzone among the four subzones to be wrapped is detected, the counter 13 or 14 sends out a CARRY signal at the rlJ level. At this time, the level of the output terminal 7a of the decoder 7 is rO
J and therefore rQJ of the D flip-flop 23
The output becomes "1" level. Also, D flip flop 7
'26 (7) rQ bar' output maintains '1' level L,
As a result, a "1" level signal is set at the input terminal 27b of the encoder 27 via the AND gate 25. On the other hand, when the counters 13 and 14 send out the CARRY signal at the "1" level, the "Q" output of the R-S flip-flop 32 becomes the "1" level. This R
- The rQJ output of the "1" level of the S flip-flop 32 is generated when the level of the output terminal 7a of the decoder 7 becomes "1", that is, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is returned to +0 as the steering wheel is turned. At the point in time, the signal passes through the AND gate 21, and the rQJ output at the "1" level passing through the AND gate 21 provides a load signal to the UP/DOWN counter 6 via the one shot 33. Then, by inputting this load signal, the input terminal 27b of the encoder 27 at this time is
Based on the setting state of the "1" level signal, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is changed from +0 to -1. In other words, if the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is -
1 and +0, and +0 and +1 in the third subzone, the third subzone is quickly determined to be the origin position, and the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is quickly corrected.

Also, in the fourth subzone, the UP/DOWN counter 6
When the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is -2 or -1 for a longer period of time, the count values of the four subzones partially overlap each other. At the time when the fourth subzone is detected, the counter 13 or 1
4, a CARRY signal of "1" level is sent out. At this time, the level of the output terminal 7a of the decoder 7 is rOJ, and therefore the D flip-flop 23
The rQJ output of is at the "1" level. Further, the rQJ output of the D flip-flop 26 also goes to the "1" level, so that a "1" level signal is set at the input terminal 27a of the encoder 27 via the AND gate 24. On the other hand, when the counters 13 and 14 send out the CARRY signal at the "1" level, the "Q" output of the R-S flip-flop 32 becomes the "1" level. This R-S
The "1" level rQJ output of the flip-flop 32 is
When the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is returned to +0 as the steering wheel is turned, the signal passes through the AND gate 21, and the rQJ output at the "1" level passing through the AND gate 21 causes the UP/DOWN counter 6 to enter the UP/DOWN state via the one shot 33. D
A load signal is given to the OWN counter 6. Then, by inputting this load signal, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is changed from +0 to +1 based on the setting state of the "1" level signal to the input terminal 27a of the encoder 27 at this time. become. That is, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is +0 and +1 within the second subzone,
-1 and +0 in the fourth subzone, quickly determine the fourth subzone as the origin position, and UP/D
The count value in the OWN counter 6 can be corrected quickly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, special driving conditions such as driving on a road surface with a large slope to the left and right are taken into consideration, and in this case, the determination result of the origin position is not updated rapidly between distant subzones. In order to do this, the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is corrected as follows.

That is, for example, assuming that we have now obtained a determination result that the origin position is within the fourth subzone, as the steering wheel is turned, the count value in the UP/DOWN counter becomes =1 and +0, 2nd
+0 and +1 in the subzones, + in the first subzone
1 and +2, and +2 and +3 in the third subzone. In such a state, based on the above-mentioned special running state, it is assumed that the time period during which the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 continues to be +3 during the generation period of the origin range detection signal of the "1" level becomes longer. UP/D
When the count value of the OWN counter 6 is +3 or +2, that is, when the third subzone out of the four subzones that partially overlap each other is being detected, the rlJ level is detected by the counters 13 and 14. C
The ARRY signal will be sent. That is, based on this "1" level CARRY signal, the encoder 27
A "1" level signal is set at the input terminal 27b of the U
The count value in the P/DOWN counter 6 is changed from ±O to -1. In other words, UP/D
The count values in the OWN counter 6 are -2 and -1 in the fourth subzone, -1 and +0 in the second subzone, +0 and +1 in the first subzone, and +1 and +2 in the third subzone.

As a result, during the generation period of the origin range detection signal at the "1" level, the time period during which the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 continues to be +2 for 41 times becomes longer, and the tlP/D
When the count value of OWN counter 6 is +2, counters 13 and 14 send out a CARRY signal of "1" level. That is, based on this "1" level CARRY signal, a "1" level signal is continuously set at the input terminal 27b of the encoder 27, and the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 changes as the steering wheel is turned. When it is returned to +0, UP/
The count value in DOWN counter 6 is from +0 to -1
The settings will be changed to . In other words, UP/DOW
The count values in N counter 6 are -3 and -2 in the fourth subzone and -2 and -1 in the second subzone.
, -1 in the first subzone and +0 and +1 in the ±O1O2O3 subzone. Thereafter, during the generation period of the origin range detection signal at the "1" level, the UP/DOWN counter 6
When the count value continues to be ±O and +1 for a long time, and the count value of the UP/DOWN counter 6 is ±O or +1, that is, when the count values of the four subzones partially overlap each other. 3rd of them
At the time when sub-zones 1 to 2 are being detected, the counters 13 and 14 send out the CARRY signal at rlJ level, and in this way, the determination result of the origin position is changed from the fourth sub-zone to the second sub-zone. The third subzone after passing through the first subzone.
subzone.

In other words, if the origin position is updated from the fourth subzone to the third subzone all at once, IJPlDO
The variable position of the irradiation direction of the headlight based on the count value of the WN counter 6 changes rapidly, resulting in confusion for the driver. On the other hand, in this embodiment, if the origin position before the determination and the origin position after the determination are not in mutually adjacent subzones, the origin position is updated in one step, so the cornering lamp system A sudden change in the irradiation direction of the headlight does not occur.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of AND gate 8, 3
Terminal 101 is configured so as to use the driver and gate 8゛.
origin range detection signal and reference clock generator 1 via
In addition to the clock signal via 2, if the vehicle speed occurs ``
If the processed signal from the vehicle speed detection circuit 50 that reaches the level 1 is given to the AND gate 8, the time that contributes to detecting the origin range of the first to fourth subzones while the vehicle is stopped is calculated by the counter 13. and 14, it is possible to prevent the integration from occurring. Also, as shown in Figure 4,
If the initial position setting circuit 51 is additionally provided,
If the origin range is detected when the power is turned on, the origin zone detected when the power is turned on can be set as the initial origin position. In addition, if the origin range is not detected when the power is turned on, the first or second origin zone is set as the initial origin position based on the edge of the origin zone that is detected first after starting driving after the power is turned on. be able to.

That is, to explain the operation of the initial position setting circuit 51, immediately after the power is turned on, the comparator 51-1
The comparison output sent by the controller remains at the "1" level for a predetermined period of time. When the power is turned on while the origin range detection signal at the "1" level is input through the terminal 101, the comparison output at the rlJ level sent out from the comparator 51-1 passes through the AND gate 51-2. The count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is forcibly set to +0, so that the subzone that was detected immediately after the power was turned on is set as the initial origin position. Also, terminal 1
When the power is turned on when the origin range detection signal of the "1" level is not input through the inverter 9, a signal of the "1" level is input to the AND gate 51-3 through the inverter 9, and the The flip-flop 51-4 is set to a set state by the "1" level comparison output passing through the gate 51-3. As a result, r of the decoder 51-5
The "1" level Q output of the BJ input end flip-flop 51-4 is set, and the subsequent steering wheel steering inputs the "1" level origin range detection signal through the terminal 101. When this happens, the origin range detection signal at the "1" level is set at the rAJ input terminal of the decoder 51-5. Now, rotating disk 1 accompanying right steering
Assuming that a "1" level origin range detection signal is generated by the clockwise rotation of
1-5 to the rDJ input terminal, the level of the output terminal 5l-5a of the decoder 51-5 becomes "1" at this point, and the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 becomes -2 in the fourth subzone. This causes the overlapping portion of the first and second subzones to be set as the initial origin position. Further, assuming that the origin range detection signal of the "1" level is generated due to the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary disk 1 accompanying the left steering, a down signal of the "1" level is generated from the UP/DOWN switching circuit 5 due to the left steering. At this point, the output terminal 5 of the decoder 51-5 is set to the "C" input terminal of the decoder 51-5.
The level of l-5b becomes "1", and the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 is set to +2 in the third subzone, so that the overlapping part in the first and second subzones is set as the initial origin position. It will be set.

In each of the embodiments described above, the clock signal sent out from the reference clock generator 12 is provided to the counters 13 and 14 via the AND gate 8 or 8. However, the clock signal sent out from the reference clock generator 12 is Instead of the signal, a pulse signal (distance signal) corresponding to the distance traveled may be provided.In other words, the distance traveled is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the distance signal passing through the AND gate 8 or 8°. When this happens, the counters 13 and 14 will send out a CARRY signal of level "1", and based on this CARRY signal, LIP/DO1m
The count value in the N counter 6 may be corrected. In other words, 4 parts overlap each other.
Of the subzones, a subzone that continuously contributes to the detection of the origin range while traveling for a predetermined distance or more may be determined to be the origin position, and the count value in the UP/DOWN counter 6 may be corrected. With this configuration, the vehicle speed detection circuit 50 shown in FIG. 4 becomes unnecessary, that is, there is no need to deal with detecting the origin range while the vehicle is stopped, and the origin position can be determined more quickly as the traveling speed increases. becomes.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when dividing the origin zone into a plurality of subzones that partially overlap each other, the subzones are divided into two subzones of the minimum resolution of the steering angle sensor.
However, it goes without saying that this subzone width does not necessarily have to be twice the minimum resolution of the steering angle sensor, and may be more than twice as wide as the minimum resolution of the steering angle sensor. Although the angular width α of lb is set to be slightly wider than the 5-angle pitch of the slit 1a, it is sufficient that the angular width is at least wider than the 3-angle pitch of the slit 1a. Based on the detected steering angle position, the origin zone can be divided into a plurality of subzones that partially overlap each other, and the origin position can be accurately determined within the origin zone whose width has been expanded.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the determination of the neutral steering position in a vehicle was explained as an example, but the determination is not limited to vehicles only, and the determination of the origin position of various rotating bodies that rotate in conjunction with external operations is described. This method is suitable for application to various controls based on the determined origin position, and has extremely high utility value. In addition, in the embodiment, the device for determining the origin position of the rotating body is configured as hardware using a specific circuit, but it goes without saying that it is also possible to implement it using software technology using a microcomputer, etc. .

As an example showing the basics of this embodiment, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-78530 (device for determining the origin position of a rotating body) filed by the present applicant. A large number of memory areas are required to store the cumulative time that contributed to the detection. On the other hand, if the origin position determination device of this embodiment is used, the memory area can be saved, the circuit configuration can be simplified, and costs can be reduced compared to the method of storing the cumulative time described above. It becomes possible.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the device for determining the origin position of a rotating body according to the present invention, there are slit zones provided at a predetermined angular pitch on the outer circumferential edge surface and an origin provided with an angular width wider than the three angular pitches of the slit zones. a rotating body having a zone and rotating clockwise and counterclockwise in conjunction with an external operation; a rotational position detection means for detecting the rotational angular position of the rotating body based on passage of the rotating body through a slit zone; origin range detection means for detecting the origin range of the rotating body based on passage of the origin zone of the rotating body; and while the origin range is detected by the origin range detection means, the rotational angular position detected by the rotational position detection means; Origin position determination that divides the origin zone into a plurality of subzones that partially overlap each other based on the above, and determines a subzone that has contributed to the detection of the origin range continuously for a predetermined time or more as the origin position among the divided subzones. When updating the origin position, the adjacent subzone in the direction of the subzone that has continued for more than the predetermined time period and has contributed to the detection of the origin range is determined as the origin position. Of these, the origin position determining means is provided for determining a subzone that continuously contributes to the detection of the origin range while traveling for a predetermined distance or more as the origin position, and when updating the origin position, the origin position is determined continuously while traveling for the predetermined distance or more. Since the subzone adjacent to the direction of the subzone that contributed to range detection is determined as the origin position, if the origin position before determination and the origin position after determination are not mutually adjacent subzones, shift the origin position one by one. While letting
It is possible to asymptotically approach the true origin position for each subzone, and for example, when this rotating body is rotated in conjunction with the steering wheel operation of a vehicle, the steering neutral position can be accurately and quickly determined with a simple circuit configuration. becomes possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the origin position determining device for a rotating body according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a steering angle sensor used in this device, and FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing this steering angle sensor. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of this origin position determining device. 1...Rotating disk, 1a...Slit, ■b・Slit, 2, 3.4...Photo ink rubber, 5...U
P/DOIdN switching circuit, 6... UP/DOWN counter, 7... Decoder, 8... AND gate, 12
...Reference clock generator, 13°14...Counter, 17...T flip-flop, 23.26...
D flip-flop 7, 27...encoder, 32...
・R-S flip-flop, 41.42...Shift register, 43.44...One shot.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) It has a slit zone provided at a predetermined angular pitch on its outer peripheral edge surface and an origin zone provided with an angular width wider than the 3-angular pitch of this slit zone, and can be used as a clock or counterclockwise in conjunction with external operation. a rotating body that rotates in a direction, a rotational position detection means for detecting a rotational angular position of the rotating body based on the passage of the slit zone of the rotating body, and an origin range of the rotating body based on the passing of the origin zone of the rotating body. and, while the origin range is being detected by the origin range detection means, a plurality of origin zones whose portions overlap each other based on the rotational angular position detected by the rotational position detection means. and an origin position determining means for determining, as the origin position, a subzone that has contributed to the detection of the origin range for a predetermined period of time or more among the divided subzones, and when updating the origin position, An origin position determination device for a rotating body, characterized in that a subzone adjacent in the subzone direction that has contributed to the detection of the origin range for a period of time or more is determined as the origin position. (2) It has a slit zone provided at a predetermined angular pitch on its outer peripheral edge surface and an origin zone provided with an angular width wider than the 3-angular pitch of this slit zone, and can be used as a clock or counterclockwise in conjunction with external operation. a rotating body that rotates in a direction, a rotational position detection means for detecting a rotational angular position of the rotating body based on the passage of the slit zone of the rotating body, and an origin range of the rotating body based on the passing of the origin zone of the rotating body. and, while the origin range is being detected by the origin range detection means, a plurality of origin zones whose portions overlap each other based on the rotational angular position detected by the rotational position detection means. and an origin position determination means for determining, as the origin position, a subzone that has continuously contributed to the detection of the origin range while traveling for a predetermined distance or more among the divided subzones, and when updating the origin position. An apparatus for determining an origin position of a rotating body, characterized in that a subzone adjacent in the direction of the subzone that continuously contributed to the detection of the origin range while traveling over the predetermined distance is determined as the origin position.