JPH06234366A - Steering wheel steering angle detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the detection of a correct steering angle immediately after the power supply is turned on in the case of turning the power supply on again in a steering wheel steering angle detecting device for detecting the steering angle of a steering wheel in an automobile. CONSTITUTION:A steering wheel steering angle detecting device is provided with a steering angle sensor 8 and a steering wheel steering angle computing means 1 which are respectively operated in the power supply 'on' state at the 'on' time of the power source of a vehicle. In this case, a state judging means 3 is provided to hold the power supply 'on' state of the steering angle sensor 8 and steering wheel steering angle computing means 1 when there is the possibility of operating a steering wheel even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel steering angle detecting device for detecting a steering wheel steering angle in an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional vehicle control device having a steering wheel steering angle detecting device. In FIG. 9, 10 'is an electronic control unit (ECU), and this ECU 10' has a steering wheel. In addition to the detection signals from the angle sensor 8 and various sensors 11, this ECU
From 10 ', a control signal is output to the actuator 9 for control operation.

Here, the steering angle sensor 8 detects the presence of a large number of rotation angle information sections provided on the peripheral edge of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle by means of two detecting sections, and at the same time, the peripheral edge of the rotary plate. The presence of one neutral position information section provided in each section is detected by one detecting section. The steering angle sensor 8 is connected to the battery 7 via a key switch 6 '.

The various sensors 11 are necessary for a detection system of an electronically controlled differential device or a traction control device, for example, a brake sensor, a throttle position sensor, an acceleration sensor, an engine load sensor, an engine speed sensor, A wheel speed sensor or the like is used. And
The actuator 9 is, for example, an actuator for performing a control operation in an electronically controlled differential device or a traction control device. When the actuator 9 is for an electronically controlled differential device, a multi-disc clutch is used as the actuator 9. The one for releasing the pressure is used, and when the actuator 9 is used for the traction control device, the one for opening and closing the traction control valve is used.

The key switch 6'is a switch which is turned on / off in conjunction with the on / off of the ignition (IG) key. Therefore, when the ignition key is turned on, electric power is supplied to the steering angle sensor 8, It is in an active state. Further, the ECU 1
Reference numeral 0'includes a steering wheel angle calculator 1, an actuator controller 2, a power supply 5, and interface circuits 4a and 4b.

The steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 receives the three detection signals from the steering angle sensor 8 via the interface circuit 4a and calculates the steering wheel steering angle. The actuator controller 2 controls the actuator 9 by receiving various steering signals from the steering wheel angle calculator 1 and various detection signals from various sensors 11 via the interface circuit 4b. is there. The power supply unit 5 is a power supply unit for the ECU 10 ', such as the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 and the actuator control unit 2, and the power supply unit 5 is provided with an external battery 7 via a key switch 6'. It is connected to the.

With such a structure, when the key switch 6'is turned on by operating the ignition key, the steering angle sensor 8 is activated and the power supply unit 5 is turned on, so that the steering wheel steering angle sensor 8 is turned on. Detector 1
(Including) will also be activated. In this way, the steering angle sensor 8 starts to detect the steering wheel steering angle from that point by being activated by being supplied with electric power, and at the same time, the steering wheel steering angle sensor 8 supplied with electric power from the power source unit 5 also. The calculation unit 1 obtains the current steering angle of the steering wheel based on the information from the steering angle sensor 8. The actuator control unit 2 outputs an actuator control signal to the actuator 9 based on signals detected by various sensors 11 in addition to the steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1. It should be noted that this control device is turned off in association with the turning off of the ignition key.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional means, since the entire control device is turned off at the same time when the power is turned off, the steering angle detecting system attached to the control device is also turned off. Since they are turned off at the same time,
When the steering wheel is steered after turning off the power, when the power is turned on again, until the neutral position of the steering wheel is detected,
The control is performed with an incorrect value. Further, since the neutral position signal of the normal steering wheel is output every 360 °, depending on the steering amount of the steering wheel when the power is off, the steering angle is calculated incorrectly by 360 ° even if the neutral position is used for correction after the power is turned on. There is a problem that it may happen.

The present invention was devised in view of such problems, and even when the steering wheel is steered after the power is turned off,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel steering angle detection device capable of detecting an accurate steering angle immediately after the power is turned on.

[0010]

For this reason, the steering wheel steering angle detecting device of the present invention as defined in claim 1 is provided with a plurality of rotation angle information portions provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A steering angle sensor that detects the presence with two detection units and also detects the presence of one neutral position information unit provided at the peripheral edge of the rotary plate with one detection unit, and three steering angle sensors from the steering angle sensors. A steering wheel steering angle calculation means for calculating a steering wheel steering angle in response to a detection signal, wherein the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation means are configured to operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on. When the steering wheel is likely to be operated even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off, the steering angle sensor and the steering angle calculation means are kept in the power-on state. Is characterized by state judging means is provided.

Further, in the steering wheel steering angle detecting device of the present invention as defined in claim 2, the presence of a large number of rotation angle information portions provided at the peripheral portion of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle is detected by the two detecting portions. A steering angle sensor that detects the presence of one neutral position information unit provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate with one detection unit, and steering wheel steering by receiving three detection signals from the steering angle sensor. A steering wheel steering angle calculating means for calculating an angle, wherein the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means are configured to operate in a power-on state when a power source of the vehicle is turned on. If it is determined that the steering of the steering wheel does not change 180 ° or more after turning off the power source of
State determination means for turning off the power to the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation means is provided, and the steering wheel angle calculation means is again provided with power after the power is turned off.
After turning on the power source of the vehicle, the steering angle sensor restarts the calculation of the steering angle of the steering wheel from the value stored as the value immediately before the power to the steering angle sensor was turned off, and then the neutral position information unit. When the calculated steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation means is less than 180 ° left and right, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 ° and the calculated steering wheel steering angle is When the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the left, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the left 360 °.
The steering wheel steering angle calibration means for calibrating to 0 ° is provided.

[0012]

In the steering wheel steering angle detecting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the steering angle sensor detects the presence of the rotation angle information portion at the peripheral portion of the rotary plate by the two detecting portions, and other The presence of the neutral position information section of the rotary plate is detected by the detection section. Then, the steering wheel steering angle calculation means receives the three detection signals from the steering angle sensor and calculates the steering wheel steering angle.

The steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on. However, if there is a possibility that the steering wheel is operated even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off,
The state determination means holds the power-on state of the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation means. Further, in the steering wheel steering angle detecting device of the present invention according to claim 2, the steering angle sensor detects the presence of the rotation angle information portion at the peripheral portion of the rotating plate by the two detecting portions, and the other detecting portion. The presence of the neutral position information section of the rotary plate is detected. And
The steering wheel steering angle calculation means receives the three detection signals from the steering angle sensor and calculates the steering wheel steering angle.

The steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation means operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on. However, when it is determined that the steering of the steering wheel does not change 180 ° or more after turning off the power source of the vehicle, the state determining means supplies power to the steering angle sensor and the steering angle calculating means. Turned off.

Further, after the power source is turned off, the power source of the vehicle is turned on again, and the steering angle sensor stores the calculation of the steering angle of the steering wheel as a value immediately before the power source of the steering angle sensor is turned off. When the neutral position information section is detected from the value and the calculated steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation means at that time is less than 180 degrees to the left and right, steering wheel steering provided in the steering wheel steering angle calculation means. The steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 ° by the angle calibrating means, and when the steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the left, the steering wheel steering angle to the left 36
The steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 °, and when the steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the right, the steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the right 360 °.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (A) Description of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device having a steering wheel steering angle detection device as a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
Is a schematic perspective view for explaining the configuration of the steering angle sensor,
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the steering angle sensor, and FIG.
Is a diagram showing the output waveform of the steering angle sensor, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the present device.

1A is an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU 10a functions as, for example, a differential control device or a traction control device, and also calculates a steering wheel steering angle (θ _c ). It is designed to function as a steering wheel angle calculation device,
For this purpose, it has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface and the like.

That is, this ECU 10a has a steering wheel angle calculation unit 1 and an actuator control unit 2 as well as a conventional example, a power supply unit 5, interface circuits 4a and 4b, and a state judgment. A section (state determination means) 3 is added. Also, this ECU 10
In a, various sensors 11, a steering angle sensor 8, a key insertion state sensor 12, a door sensor (door switch) 13, a door lock sensor 14, a handle lock sensor 15, and a seat sensor 15 'are connected as its input system. The actuator 9 is connected as its output system.

The ECU 10a is connected to a battery 7 via a relay switch 6, which is used in place of the conventional key switch 6 ', and includes a switch section 6a and a coil section 6b. Composed of and. By the way, the steering angle sensor 8 detects the rotation angle from the neutral position of the steering wheel, that is, the steering steering angle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the slit plate (rotary plate) 16 and the photo interrupter ( (Detection unit) 20a, 20b, 20c.

The slit plate 16 forming the steering angle sensor 8 is attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the slit plate 16 has a large number of slits (rotational angle information parts) 18 in the peripheral edge portion 17 of the disk, and inside the slits 18, depending on the neutral position of the steering angle. Slits for neutral detection (neutral position information section) 19
Has one.

Then, a part of the peripheral edge portion of the slit plate 16 is provided so that the slit plate 16 can rotate freely.
Two photo interrupters 20a, 20b, 20c are provided. This state is illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in this figure,
A part of the slit plate 16 is sandwiched between the light emitting diodes 21 and the phototransistor 22 of the three photo interrupters 20a, 20b, 20c of the steering angle sensor 8.

Therefore, the slit 1 of the slit plate 16
8 and 19 are a light emitting diode 21 and a phototransistor 2.
Since the phototransistor 22 can detect the light of the light emitting diode 21 each time it passes between the two, the rotation angle (movement) information of the slit plate 16 and the neutral position information can be output to the controller. 4 shows the output waveforms of the photo interrupters 20a, 20b, 20c. The output of each photo interrupter becomes L (low) when light passes and becomes H (high) when light is blocked. or,
The vertical line a in FIG. 4 indicates that the photo interrupters 20a, 2a, 2a, 2a when the photo interrupter 20c obtains the waveform indicating the neutral position.
0b shows the detected waveform.

The key insertion state sensor 12 detects the insertion state of the ignition (IG) key.
The door sensor 13 detects the open / closed state of the door. The door lock sensor 14 is for detecting whether or not the door is locked, the handle lock sensor 15 is for detecting whether or not the handle is locked, and the seat sensor 15 'is on the seat. It detects whether or not a person is seated.

The various sensors 11 are the same as those explained in the conventional example, and the actuator control section 2 is also the same as those explained in the conventional example. Further, the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 includes three sensors (photo interrupters 20a, 20b, 20) of the steering angle sensor 8.
The steering wheel steering angle is calculated by receiving the three detection signals from c). In addition, the actuator control unit 2
This is for controlling the actuator 9 by receiving various detection signals from various sensors 11 via the interface circuit 4b in addition to the steering wheel steering angle from the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1. That is, the actuator control unit 2
When the control information for the differential control device, the traction control device, and the like is sent, the actuator controls the actuator 9 based on the information and the current steering wheel steering angle information.

The state determination unit 3 determines whether or not the following conditions are satisfied even after the ignition key is turned off, and holds the on state of the relay switch 6 when any one of the conditions is satisfied. . That is, the state determination unit 3
Even if the ignition key is turned off, if any one of the following conditions is satisfied, the relay switch 6 is controlled to keep the power supply unit 5 and the steering angle sensor 8 in the on state.

The conditions for the state determination unit 3 to turn on the relay switch 6 will be described below. Ignition key is off but not removed. The door is open. The door is not locked.

The handle is not locked. A person is seated on the seat. In other words, it is necessary to recognize that the driver has gone out of the vehicle by the door sensor, the state of the ignition key, the door lock state, and the like. That is, when the power source of the vehicle is turned on, the state determination unit 3 naturally turns on the relay switch 6 so that the steering angle sensor 8 and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 operate in the power-on state. Even when the power source of the vehicle is turned off, the steering angle sensor 8 and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 are kept in the power-on state when the steering wheel may be operated.

With the above-described structure, when the key switch 6 is turned on by operating the ignition key, the steering angle sensor 8
Is activated, the power supply unit 5 is turned on, and various parts of the ECU 10a (including the steering wheel steering angle detection unit 1) are activated. In this way, the steering angle sensor 8
Starts to detect the steering angle of the steering wheel at that time, and the steering wheel angle calculation unit 1 also receives the electric power from the power supply unit 5 and the current steering wheel angle is calculated based on the information from the steering angle sensor 8. Get the horns. At this time, the steering wheel steering angle given to the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 is correct even if the steering wheel is steered after the power source of the vehicle is turned off. In addition to the steering wheel steering angle calculated by the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1, various sensors 1
The actuator control unit 2 outputs an actuator control signal to the actuator 9 based on the signal detected in 1.

Here, the operation of the steering angle calculation unit 1 when the power supply from the power supply unit 5 is cut off and when the power is again supplied from the power supply unit 5 will be described in detail. It will be described that the correct steering angle can be obtained even if the steering wheel is steered after the power source is turned off. That is, even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off, when there is a possibility that the steering wheel is steered (that is, even if any of the above conditions (1) to (4) is satisfied), the state determination unit 3 causes the steering angle sensor 8 and the steering wheel sensor The power-on state of the steering angle calculation unit 1 is maintained. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. First, when the key switch 6 is turned off by operating the ignition key (see step A1 in FIG. 5), the state determination unit 3 confirms the insertion state of the ignition key by the detection signal from the key insertion state sensor 12. . And, although the ignition key is in the off state,
When it is recognized that it has not been pulled out, the state determination unit 3
Based on the detection signal from the steering wheel lock sensor 15, it is confirmed whether the steering wheel is locked (see step A2 in FIG. 5). If the steering wheel is locked, the possibility that the steering wheel is steered disappears, that is, the state determination unit 3 turns off the relay switch 6 until all of the above conditions (1) to (4) are not satisfied. As a result, the power of the steering angle sensor 8 is turned off, and the power supply to the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 is stopped (FIG. 5).
Step A4). When the steering wheel is not locked, the above-mentioned conditions are confirmed by the door sensor 13, the door lock sensor 14, and the seat sensor 15 '(see step A3 in FIG. 5). As a result, if all of the three conditions, condition, are not satisfied, the state determination unit 3 determines that the occupant is not inside the vehicle, turns off the relay switch 6, and turns the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 and the steering angle. The power supply to the sensor 8 is stopped (see step A4 in FIG. 5). Alternatively, if any one of the above three conditions is satisfied, the state determination unit 3
Turns on the relay switch 6 when it is determined that steering may be performed when the occupant is in the vehicle or when the occupant is not in the vehicle. As a result, similarly to when the power source of the vehicle is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit 5 to the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 8 and the steering angle sensor 8 is powered on (step A5 in FIG. 5). reference). That is, if there is a possibility that steering may be performed even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off, the ECU 1
0a is activated. As a result, even if the steering wheel is steered after the power source of the vehicle is turned off, the correct steering wheel steering angle is calculated by the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1.

As described above, the steering angle sensor 8 and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 are provided, and when there is a possibility that the steering wheel is operated even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off, the steering angle sensor 8 and the steering wheel sensor are operated. Since the state determination unit 3 that holds the power-on state of the steering angle calculation unit 1 is provided, electric power is supplied to the steering wheel calculation unit 1 only when the steering wheel may be steered. As a result, in any case (after turning on / off the power source of the vehicle), when the steering wheel is steered, the steering wheel steering angle is calculated. Accordingly, even when the power is turned on again, the correct steering angle can be obtained immediately after that, and the information can be used for desired control. In addition, when there is no need, power is supplied by the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1
Therefore, the electric energy can be saved as compared with the case where the power is always turned on because it is not supplied to the power source.

(B) Description of Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a vehicle controller having a steering wheel steering angle detecting device as a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the above, and in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Now, in this second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'and the state determination unit 3'in the CU 10b are different from those in the first embodiment. That is, the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 ′ is obtained by adding the function of the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit (steering wheel steering angle calibration means) 30 to the function of the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 of the ECU 10 a described above. The steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 provided in the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'is for performing a quick correction when the power of the vehicle is turned on again. Therefore, when the steering angle sensor 8 detects the slit 19 within a predetermined time after turning on the power source of the vehicle again after turning off the power, the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 performs the following processing. It is something to do. That is, when the calculated steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'at that time is less than 180 ° left and right, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 ° and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'at that time is calibrated. The steering wheel steering angle obtained in step 18 is left 18
When the steering wheel steering angle is 0 ° or more, the steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the left 360 °, and when the steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the right, the steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the right 360 °. After the power is turned off, the power source of the vehicle is turned on again, and then the steering angle sensor 8 restarts the calculation of the steering angle of the steering wheel from the value stored as the value immediately before the power was turned off. ing.

The state determination unit 3'determines whether the following condition is satisfied even after the ignition key is turned off. When this condition is satisfied, the relay switch 6 is turned on and the steering angle sensor 8 is turned on. , The steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'and the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 are kept on. The condition for the state determination unit 3'to turn on the relay switch 6 is that the ignition key is in the off state, but it is not removed. That is. That is, the state determination unit 3'turns off the power supply to each of the above units when it is determined that the steering of the steering wheel does not change 180 degrees or more after turning the power source of the vehicle off. ing.

With the above configuration, when the key switch 6 is turned on by operating the ignition key, the steering angle sensor 8
Is activated, the power supply unit 5 is turned on, and various parts of the ECU 10b (including the steering wheel steering angle detection unit 1 ') are also activated. In this way, the steering angle sensor 8 starts to detect the steering wheel steering angle from that point by being activated by being supplied with electric power, and at the same time, the steering wheel steering angle sensor 8 supplied with electric power from the power source unit 5 also. The calculation unit 1 ′ obtains the current steering angle of the steering wheel based on the information from the steering angle sensor 8. Then, the actuator control unit 2 outputs an actuator control signal to the actuator 9 based on signals detected by various sensors 11 in addition to the steering angle of the steering wheel calculated by the steering wheel angle calculation unit 1 ′.

The operation of the steering wheel steering angle calculator 1'when the power supply from the power supply unit 5 is cut off and when the power supply from the power supply unit 5 is received again will be described in detail below. become. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, after the engine is turned off, it is determined in step B1 of FIG. 7 whether or not the ignition key is in the off state. If the key is in the off state, the ignition key is pressed in step B2 of FIG. Determine if it was pulled out. If the ignition key is removed, the power is turned off (that is, the relay switch 6 is turned off) in step B3 of FIG.
Note that the power is maintained in the ON state under the conditions other than the above conditions (see step B4 in FIG. 7).

When the engine mounted on the vehicle is turned on again after the power is turned off as described above, the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed. That is, when the steering angle sensor 8 detects the neutral position (see step C1 in FIG. 8), it is checked what the steering angle (θ _c ) at that time is (step in FIG. 8). See C2). This steering wheel steering angle is 1
When the angle is less than 80 °, the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 provided in the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1'calibrates the calculated steering wheel steering angle to 0 ° (see step C4 in FIG. 8). When the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the left, the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 calibrates the calculated steering wheel steering angle to the left 360 ° (see step C5 in FIG. 8), and the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° to the right. In the above case,
The calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the right 360 ° (see step C6 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the steering angle at that time can be calibrated. The steering angle of the steering wheel is calculated while the neutral position is not detected (see step C3 in FIG. 8).

In this way, the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit 1 '
In addition, since the steering wheel steering angle calibration unit 30 is provided, deviation of the steering wheel steering angle of 180 ° or more can be prevented. Therefore, the neutral position signal can be detected as usual, and the neutral position information can be used to immediately and accurately determine the neutral position signal. The steering neutral position can be corrected to a value. Moreover, if it is detected that the ignition key has been removed, the electric power supply to the steering angle sensor 8 and the like can be stopped, so even if the occupant leaves the vehicle with the door locked, extra power is consumed during this period. Can be prevented.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the steering wheel steering angle detecting device of the present invention as defined in claim 1, a large number of rotation angle information is provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle. And a steering angle sensor for detecting the presence of a neutral position information section provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate by one detecting section while detecting the presence of the section by the two detecting sections. The steering angle sensor and the steering angle calculation means for receiving the three detection signals and calculating the steering angle of the steering wheel are operated in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on. In such a structure, the steering angle sensor and the steering angle calculation means are maintained in the power-on state when the steering wheel may be operated even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off. By state determining means it is provided that, can be advantageously used when the power is turned on again, the control accurate steering angle immediately after.

Further, according to the steering wheel steering angle detecting device of the present invention as defined in claim 2, the existence of a plurality of rotation angle information parts provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle is detected by two. And a steering angle sensor that detects the presence of one neutral position information unit provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate with one detection unit and three detection signals from the steering angle sensor. A steering wheel steering angle calculating means for calculating a steering wheel steering angle, wherein the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means are configured to operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on, When it is determined that the steering of the steering wheel does not change 180 degrees or more after turning off the power source of the vehicle, the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means are turned off. The steering wheel steering angle calculation means calculates the steering wheel steering angle by the steering angle sensor after the power source is turned off and the power source of the vehicle is turned on again. When the neutral position information section is detected after the restart from the value stored immediately before the power is turned off, the calculated steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation means at that time is 180 ° left and right. When the calculated steering wheel steering angle is less than 180 °, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 °. When the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the left, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to the left 360 °. Is 180 ° or more to the right, the steering wheel steering angle calibrating means for calibrating the calculated steering wheel steering angle to the right 360 ° is provided. There is an advantage that the steering neutral position can be immediately corrected to an accurate value when the neutral position signal is detected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device having a steering wheel steering angle detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the configuration of a steering angle sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a steering angle sensor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an output waveform of a steering angle sensor.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an automobile control device having a steering wheel steering angle detection device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device having a conventional steering wheel steering angle detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1'Handle steering angle calculation unit 2 Actuator control unit 3, 3'State determination unit 4a, 4b Interface circuit 5 Power supply unit 6, 6'Key switch 6a Switch unit 6b Coil unit 7 Battery 8 Steering angle sensor 9 Actuator 10a, 10b, 10 'ECU 11 Various sensors 12 Key insertion state sensor 13 Door sensor (door switch) 14 Door lock sensor 15 Handle lock sensor 15' Sheet sensor 16 Slit plate 17 Peripheral part 18, 19 Slits 20a, 20b, 20c Photointerrupter 21 Light emitting diode 22 Phototransistor 30 Steering wheel steering angle calibration unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The presence of a large number of rotation angle information sections provided on the peripheral portion of a rotary plate attached to a steering shaft of a vehicle is detected by two detection units, and one is provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate. The steering angle sensor for detecting the presence of the neutral position information section by one detecting section, and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means for calculating the steering wheel steering angle by receiving three detection signals from the steering angle sensor, The angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation means are configured to operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on, and the steering wheel may be operated even after the power source of the vehicle is turned off. The steering wheel steering angle detecting device is provided with state determining means for holding the power-on state of the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means. 2. The presence of a large number of rotation angle information sections provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate attached to the steering shaft of the vehicle is detected by two detection units, and one is provided on the peripheral portion of the rotary plate. The steering angle sensor for detecting the presence of the neutral position information section by one detecting section, and the steering wheel steering angle calculating means for calculating the steering wheel steering angle by receiving three detection signals from the steering angle sensor, When the angle sensor and the steering angle calculation means are configured to operate in a power-on state when the power source of the vehicle is on, the steering of the steering wheel to the left and right is 180 degrees after turning off the power source of the vehicle.
When it is determined that the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit are not changed, a state determination unit that turns off the power supply to the steering angle sensor and the steering wheel steering angle calculation unit is provided. After turning off the power source of the vehicle again after turning off,
When the steering angle sensor restarts the calculation of the steering wheel steering angle from the value stored as the value immediately before the steering wheel angle sensor was powered off, and then the neutral position information section is detected, at that time, When the calculated steering wheel steering angle obtained by the steering wheel steering angle calculation means is less than 180 ° left and right, the calculated steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 0 °, and when the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° left or more, the calculation is performed. The steering wheel steering angle is calibrated to 360 ° to the left, and when the calculated steering wheel steering angle is 180 ° or more to the right, steering wheel steering angle calibration means is provided for calibrating the calculated steering wheel steering angle to the right 360 °. Steering wheel steering angle detection device.