STEERING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A steering apparatus for vehicles that easily obtains equivalent steering torques to vehicle driving information such as a steering angle without being affected by a road surface state and aging-changes of mechanism characteristics of a steering system. The steering apparatus includes a torsional angle control section that calculates a motor current command value based on a target torsional angle corresponding to vehicle driving information and the torsional angle, and includes a torsional angle feedback compensating section that calculates a target torsional angular velocity by a deviation between the target torsional angle and the torsional angle. A torsional angular velocity calculating section calculates a torsional angular velocity by the torsional angle, and a velocity control section calculates a pre-limitation motor current command value by performing proportional compensation based on the target torsional angular velocity and the torsional angular velocity. An output limiting section limits upper and lower limit values of the pre-limitation motor current command value, and outputs the motor current command value which is used to control the motor.

Claims

1-12. canceled

13. A steering apparatus for vehicles that comprises at least a torsion bar having an arbitrary spring constant and a sensor detecting a torsional angle, drives and controls a motor, and assists and controls a steering system, comprising: a target steering torque generating section that comprises a basic map section that obtains a first torque signal in accordance with vehicle driving information by using a basic map being vehicle speed sensitive, and a damper calculating section that obtains a second torque signal based on angular velocity information by using a damper gain map being vehicle speed sensitive, and calculates a target steering torque by said first torque signal and said second torque signal; a converting section that converts said target steering torque into a target torsional angle; and a torsional angle control section that calculates a motor current command value based on said target torsional angle and said torsional angle; wherein said torsional angle control section comprises a torsional angle feedback compensating section that calculates a target torsional angular velocity by a deviation between said target torsional angle and said torsional angle, a torsional angular velocity calculating section that calculates a torsional angular velocity by said torsional angle, a velocity control section that calculates a pre-limitation motor current command value by performing proportional compensation based on said target torsional angular velocity and said torsional angular velocity, and an output limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said pre-limitation motor current command value, and outputs said motor current command value; and wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on said motor current command value.

14. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 13, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises an input limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said target torsional angle.

15. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 13, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

16. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 14, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

17. A steering apparatus for vehicles that comprises at least a torsion bar having an arbitrary spring constant and a sensor detecting a torsional angle, drives and controls a motor, and assists and controls a steering system, comprising: a target steering torque generating section that comprises a basic map section that obtains a first torque signal in accordance with vehicle driving information by using a basic map being vehicle speed sensitive, and a damper calculating section that obtains a second torque signal based on angular velocity information by using a damper gain map being vehicle speed sensitive, and calculates a target steering torque by said first torque signal and said second torque signal; a converting section that converts said target steering torque into a target torsional angle; and a torsional angle control section that calculates a motor current command value based on said target torsional angle, said torsional angle, a first rotation angle and a second rotation angle; wherein said torsional angle control section comprises a torsional angle feedback compensating section that calculates a target torsional angular velocity by a deviation between said target torsional angle and said torsional angle, a first angular velocity calculating section that calculates a first angular velocity by said first rotation angle, a second angular velocity calculating section that calculates a second angular velocity by said second rotation angle, a velocity control section that calculates a pre-limitation motor current command value by performing proportional compensation based on a target angular velocity that is obtained by said target torsional angular velocity and said first angular velocity, and said second angular velocity, and an output limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said pre-limitation motor current command value, and outputs said motor current command value; and wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on said motor current command value.

18. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 17, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises an input limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said target torsional angle.

19. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 17, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

20. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 18, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

21. A steering apparatus for vehicles that comprises at least a torsion bar having an arbitrary spring constant and a sensor detecting a torsional angle, drives and controls a motor, and assists and controls a steering system, comprising: a target steering torque generating section that comprises a basic map section that obtains a first torque signal in accordance with vehicle driving information by using a basic map being vehicle speed sensitive, and a damper calculating section that obtains a second torque signal based on angular velocity information by using a damper gain map being vehicle speed sensitive, and calculates a target steering torque by said first torque signal and said second torque signal; a converting section that converts said target steering torque into a target torsional angle; and a torsional angle control section that calculates a motor current command value based on said target torsional angle, a first rotation angle and a second rotation angle; wherein said torsional angle control section comprises a torsional angle feedback compensating section that calculates a target torsional angular velocity by a deviation between a target rotation angle that is obtained by said target torsional angle and said first rotation angle and said second rotation angle, a first angular velocity calculating section that calculates a first angular velocity by said first rotation angle, a second angular velocity calculating section that calculates a second angular velocity by said second rotation angle, a velocity control section that calculates a pre-limitation motor current command value by performing proportional compensation based on a target angular velocity that is obtained by said target torsional angular velocity and said first angular velocity, and said second angular velocity, and an output limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said pre-limitation motor current command value, and outputs said motor current command value; and wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on said motor current command value.

22. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 21, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises an input limiting section that limits upper and lower limit values of said target torsional angle.

23. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 21, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

24. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 22, wherein said torsional angle control section further comprises a rate limiting section that limits a change amount of said target torsional angle.

25. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 13, wherein said target steering torque generating section further comprises a hysteresis correcting section that obtains a third torque signal by performing hysteresis correction to said vehicle driving information depending on a steering state, and calculates said target steering torque by said first torque signal, said second torque signal and said third torque signal.

26. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 17, wherein said target steering torque generating section further comprises a hysteresis correcting section that obtains a third torque signal by performing hysteresis correction to said vehicle driving information depending on a steering state, and calculates said target steering torque by said first torque signal, said second torque signal and said third torque signal.

27. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 21, wherein said target steering torque generating section further comprises a hysteresis correcting section that obtains a third torque signal by performing hysteresis correction to said vehicle driving information depending on a steering state, and calculates said target steering torque by said first torque signal, said second torque signal and said third torque signal.

28. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 13, wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on a current command value that is obtained by adding an assist current command value calculated based on a steering torque to said motor current command value.

29. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 17, wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on a current command value that is obtained by adding an assist current command value calculated based on a steering torque to said motor current command value.

30. The steering apparatus for vehicles according to claim 21, wherein said steering apparatus for vehicles drives and controls said motor based on a current command value that is obtained by adding an assist current command value calculated based on a steering torque to said motor current command value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a general outline of an electric power steering apparatus;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit (ECU) of the electric power steering apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing an installation example of an EPS steering system and various sensors;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (a first embodiment) of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a target steering torque generating section;

[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a characteristic example of a basic map;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a characteristic example of a damper gain map;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a characteristic example of a hysteresis correcting section;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (the first embodiment) of a torsional angle control section;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operating example of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operating example of the target steering torque generating section;

[0030] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operating example (the first embodiment) of the torsional angle control section;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a time sequence example of a steering angle used in a simulation;

[0032] FIG. 14 is a simulation result in the case of not performing torsional angle control;

[0033] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an output example of a target steering torque in a simulation in the case of performing the torsional angle control;

[0034] FIG. 16 is a simulation result in the case of performing the torsional angle control;

[0035] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (a second embodiment) of a torsional angle control section;

[0036] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operating example (the second embodiment) of the torsional angle control section;

[0037] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (a third embodiment) of a torsional angle control section;

[0038] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operating example (the third embodiment) of the torsional angle control section;

[0039] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (a fourth embodiment) of the present invention; and

[0040] FIGS. 22A and 22B are block diagrams showing an inserting example of a phase compensating section.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] The present invention is a steering apparatus for vehicles to obtain an equivalent steering torque corresponding to vehicle driving information such as a steering angle, a vehicle speed and a steering state without being affecting a road surface state, and obtains a desired steering torque by performing control so that a torsional angle of a torsion bar or the like follows a value depending on the vehicle driving information.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] First, an installation example of various sensors that detect information related to an electric power steering apparatus being one of steering apparatuses for vehicle of the present invention, will be described. FIG.3 is a diagram showing an installation example of an EPS steering system and various sensors. A torsion bar 2A is provided in a column shaft 2. Road surface reaction force Fr and road surface information p operate on steered wheels 8L and 8R. An upper side angle sensor is disposed on a steering wheel side of the column shaft 2 above the torsion bar 2A, and a lower side angle sensor is disposed on a steered wheel side of the column shaft 2 below the torsion bar 2A. The upper side angle sensor detects a steering wheel angle .sub.1, and the lower side angle sensor detects a column angle .sub.2. A steering angle h is detected by a steering angle sensor disposed on an upper portion of the column shaft 2. A torsional angle of the torsion bar and a torsion bar torque Tt can be calculated by the following expressions 1 and 2 from a deviation between the steering wheel angle .sub.1 and the column angle .sub.2. In the expression 2, Kt is a spring constant of the torsion bar 2A.

.sub.2.sub.1=[Expression 1]

Kt.Math.=Kt.Math.(.sub.2.sub.1)=Tt [Expression 2]

[0044] The torsion bar torque Tt can be also detected by using, for example, a torque sensor disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-216172 A.

[0045] Next, a configuration example of the present invention will be described.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (a first embodiment) of the present invention, and steering of a driver is assisted and controlled by a motor in an EPS steering system/vehicle system 100. A vehicle speed Vs being the vehicle driving information and a steering state STs that is outputted from a right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 and indicates right-turning or left-turning, are inputted into a target steering torque generating section 120 that outputs a target steering torque Tref corresponding to the steering angle h being the vehicle driving information, in addition to the steering angle h. The target steering torque Tref is converted into a target torsional angle ref at a converting section 130, and the target torsional angle ref is inputted into a torsional angle control section 140 with the torsional angle of the torsion bar 2A. The torsional angle control section 140 calculates a motor current command value Imc so that the torsional angle becomes the target torsional angle ref . The motor of the EPS is driven in accordance with the motor current command value Imc.

[0047] The right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 judges whether steering is right-turning or left-turning based on a motor angular velocity m, and outputs the judgment result as the steering state STs . That is, when the motor angular velocity m is a positive value, the right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 judges the steering right-turning, and when the motor angular velocity m is a negative value, the right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 judges the steering left-turning. Instead of the motor angular velocity m, an angular velocity calculated by velocity calculation with respect to the steering angle h, the steering wheel angle .sub.1 or the column angle .sub.2, may be used.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the target steering torque generating section 120. The target steering torque generating section 120 comprises a basic map section 121, a differential section 122, a damper gain section 123, a hysteresis correcting section 124, a multiplying section 125 and adding sections 126 and 127. The steering angle h is inputted into the basic map section 121, the differential section 122 and the hysteresis correcting section 124. The steering state STs outputted from the right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 is inputted into the hysteresis correcting section 124.

[0049] The basic map section 121 has a basic map, and outputs a torque signal (a first torque signal) Tref_a having the vehicle speed Vs as a parameter by using the basic map. The basic map has been adjusted by tuning. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the torque signal Tref_a increases as a magnitude (an absolute value) |h| of the steering angle h increases, and increases also as the vehicle speed Vs increases. FIG. 6A shows a configuration where a sign section 121A outputs a sign (+1, 1) of the steering angle h to a multiplying section 121B, a magnitude of the torque signal Tref_a is obtained from the magnitude of the steering angle Oh by using a map, the magnitude of the torque signal Tref_a is multiplied by the sign of the steering angle h, and the torque signal Tref_a is obtained. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the map may be configured depending on a positive and a negative steering angles h. In this case, the mode of variation may be changed depending on whether the steering angle h is positive or negative.

[0050] The differential section 122 calculates a steering angular velocity h by differentiating the steering angle h, and the steering angular velocity h is inputted into the multiplying section 125.

[0051] The damper gain section 123 outputs a damper gain D.sub.G by which the steering angular velocity h is multiplied. The steering angular velocity h that is multiplied by the damper gain D.sub.G at the multiplying section 125, is inputted into the adding section 127 as a torque signal (a second torque signal) Tref_b. The damper gain D.sub.G is obtained depending on the vehicle speed Vs by using a vehicle speed sensitive damper gain map that the damper gain section 123 has. The damper gain map, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, has a characteristic that the damper gain D.sub.G increases gradually as the vehicle speed Vs increases. The damper gain map may be variable depending on the steering angle h. The damper gain section 123 and the multiplying section 125 constitute a damper calculating section.

[0052] The hysteresis correcting section 124 calculates a torque signal (a third torque signal) Tref_c based on the steering angle h and the steering state STs in accordance with the following expression 3. In the following expression 3, x and y are set to h and Tref_c respectively (x=h and y=Tref_c), and A.sub.hys is a hysteresis width.

when right-turning y=A.sub.hys[1exp{a(xb)}]

when left-turning y=A.sub.hys[1exp{a(xb)}][Expression 3]

[0053] When switching from the right-turning steering to the left-turning steering and when switching from the left-turning steering to the right-turning steering, based on the final coordinates (x1, y1), a value b of the following expression 4 is substituted into the value b in the expression 3 after switching. Thereby, continuity when switching the steering is maintained.

[00001] $\begin{matrix} when .Math. .Math. right .Math. - .Math. turning .Math. .Math. b = x_{1} + \frac{1}{a} .Math. \log_{e} (1 - \frac{y_{1}}{A_{hys}}) .Math. .Math. when .Math. .Math. left .Math. - .Math. turning .Math. .Math. b = x_{1} - \frac{1}{a} .Math. \log_{e} (1 + \frac{y_{1}}{A_{hys}}) & [Expression .Math. .Math. 4] \end{matrix}$

[0054] Setting A.sub.hys=1 [Nm] and a=0.3 in the expressions 3 and 4, in the case that an initial angle of the steering wheel is 0 [deg] and the steering wheel is steered between +50 [deg] and 50 [deg], a changing example of the torque signal Tref_c which hysteresis correction is applied to is shown in FIG. 8. That is, the torque signal Tref_c from the hysteresis correcting section 124 has a hysteresis characteristic shown by an origin point.fwdarw.L1 (the thin line).fwdarw.L2 (the broken line).fwdarw.L3 (the thick line).

[0055] A.sub.hys which is a coefficient expressing an output width of the hysteresis characteristic, and a which is a coefficient expressing roundness, may be variable depending on the vehicle speed Vs and/or the steering angle h.

[0056] The torque signals Tref_a, Tref_b and Tref_c are added at the adding sections 126 and 127, and the added result is outputted as the target steering torque Tref.

[0057] The steering angular velocity h is obtained by differential calculation to the steering angle h, and low pass filter (LPF) processing is appropriately performed in order to reduce an affection of a noise in a high frequency band. The differential calculation and the LPF processing may be performed by using a high pass filter (HPF) and a gain. The steering angular velocity h may be calculated by the differential calculation and the LPF processing to the steering wheel angle .sub.1 detected by the upper side angle sensor or the column angle .sub.2 detected by the lower side angle sensor, instead of the steering angle h. The motor angular velocity m may be used instead of the steering angular velocity h, and in this case, the differential section 122 becomes unnecessary.

[0058] The converting section 130 has a characteristic of 1/K.sub.t obtained by inverting the sign of the reciprocal of the spring constant Kt of the torsion bar 2A, and converts the target steering torque Tref into a target torsional angle ref.

[0059] The torsional angle control section 140 calculates the motor current command value Imc based on the target torsional angle 66 ref and the torsional angle . FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the torsional angle control section 140. The torsional angle control section 140 comprises an input limiting section 141, a rate limiting section 142, a torsional angle feedback (FB) compensating section 143, a torsional angular velocity calculating section 144, a velocity control section 150, an output limiting section 145, and a subtracting section 146.

[0060] The input limiting section 141 limits upper and lower limit values of the target torsional angle ref so that the torsional angle control section 140 does not output the abnormal motor current command value Imc when the target torsional angle ref becomes an abnormal value in a communication, a calculation of a microcomputer or an ECU, and so on. The input limiting section 141 presets the upper limit value and the lower limit value with respect to the target torsional angle ref. In the case that the target torsional angle ref is larger than or equal to the upper limit value, the input limiting section 141 outputs the upper limit value as a target torsional angle ref. In the case that the target torsional angle ref is smaller than or equal to the lower limit value, the input limiting section 141 outputs the lower limit value as the target torsional angle ref. Otherwise, the input limiting section 141 outputs the target torsional angle ref, as it is, as the target torsional angle ref. The set upper limit value and lower limit value may be the maximum value and the minimum value of a torsional angle used in the control respectively, and may be also the maximum value and the minimum value of a detectable torsional angle respectively. This enables security of safety.

[0061] The rate limiting section 142 limits a change amount of the target torsional angle ref so that the value of the target torsional angle ref does not change continuously and the target torsional angle ref fluctuates discontinuously when the target torsional angle ref becomes an abnormal value. The target torsional angle normally changes continuously, and the rate limiting section 142 does not limit it. When the target torsional angle temporarily becomes an abnormal value by any abnormality, the discontinuous change is prevented by the limitation of the rate limiting section 142. For example, a difference between the present and the previous target torsional angles ref is used as the change amount, when an absolute value of the change amount is larger than a predetermined value, addition or subtraction to the target torsional angle ref is performed so that the absolute value of the change amount becomes the predetermined value, and the result is outputted as a target torsional angle ref. When the absolute value of the change amount is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, the target torsional angle ref is outputted, as it is, as the target torsional angle ref. The limitation may be performed such as by using a rate of the difference to the previous target torsional angle ref as the change amount.

[0062] Although the input limiting section 141 and the rate limiting section 142 may be arranged reversely, the arrangement as shown in FIG. 9 is desirable. In such a case of dealing with the abnormal value and/or the discontinuous value by another method, it is possible to remove the input limiting section 141 and/or the rate limiting section 142.

[0063] The torsional angle FB compensating section 143 multiplies a deviation .sub.0, which is calculated at the subtracting section 146, between the target torsional angle ref and the torsional angle by a compensation value C.sub.FB (a transfer function), and outputs a target torsional angular velocity ref that enables followability of the torsional angle to the target torsional angle ref. The compensation value C.sub.FB may be simply a gain Kpp, or may be a compensation value generally used, such as a compensation value of PI-control. The target torsional angular velocity ref is inputted into the velocity control section 150. By using the torsional angle FB compensating section 143 and the velocity control section 150, the torsional angle A follows the target torsional angle ref, and it is possible to obtain the desired steering torque.

[0064] The torsional angular velocity calculating section 144 calculates a torsional angular velocity t by differential calculation to the torsional angle , and the torsional angular velocity t is inputted into the velocity control section 150. Pseudo-differential by an HPF and a gain may be performed as the differential calculation.

[0065] The velocity control section 150 calculates a motor current command value (a pre-limitation motor current command value) Imcb that enables followability of the torsional angular velocity t to the target torsional angular velocity ref. The velocity control section 150 calculates a difference (reft) between the target torsional angular velocity ref and the torsional angular velocity t at a subtracting section 151, multiplies the difference by a compensation value Kv ata compensating section 152, and outputs the multiplied result as the motor current command value Imcb. Although a compensation value of proportional (P) compensation is used as the compensation value Kv, a compensation value of proportional integral (PI) compensation or the like may be used.

[0066] The output limiting section 145 limits upper and lower limit values of the motor current command value Imcb outputted from the velocity control section 150, and outputs the motor current command value Imc. As with the input limiting section 141, the output limiting section 145 performs the limitation by presetting the upper limit value and the lower limit value with respect to the motor current command value Imcb.

[0067] In such a configuration, an operating example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0068] As the operation starts, the right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 inputs the motor angular velocity m, judges whether steering is right-turning or left-turning based on a sign of the motor angular velocity m, and outputs the judgment result as the steering state STs to the target steering torque generating section 120 (Step S10).

[0069] The target steering torque generating section 120 inputs the steering angle h and the vehicle speed Vs with the steering state STs, and generates the target steering torque Tref (Step S20). An operating example of the target steering torque generating section 120 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0070] The steering angle h inputted into the target steering torque generating section 120 is inputted into the basic map section 121, the differential section 122 and the hysteresis correcting section 124, the steering state STs is inputted into the hysteresis correcting section 124, and the vehicle speed Vs is inputted into the basic map section 121 and the damper gain section 123 (Step S21).

[0071] The basic map section 121 generates the torque signal Tref_a corresponding to the steering angle h and the vehicle speed Vs by using the basic map shown in FIG. 6A or 6B, and outputs it to the adding section 126 (Step S22).

[0072] The differential section 122 differentiates the steering angle h, and outputs the steering angular velocity h (Step S23). The damper gain map 123 outputs the damper gain D.sub.G corresponding to the vehicle speed Vs by using the damper gain map shown in FIG. 7 (Step S24). The multiplying section 125 calculates the torque signal Tref_b by multiplying the steering angular velocity h and the damper gain DG, and outputs it to the adding section 127 (Step S25).

[0073] The hysteresis correcting section 124 performs the hysteresis correction to the steering angle h by switching the calculations of the expressions 3 and 4 depending on the steering state STs (Step S26), generates the torque signal Tref_c, and outputs it to the adding section 127 (Step S27). Although the hysteresis width A.sub.hys, a, x1 and y1 are preset and retained, it is possible to calculate b depending on steering directions (right-turning and left-turning) in advance, and retain b instead of x1 and y1.

[0074] The torque signals Tref_b and Tref_c are added at the adding section 127, the torque signal Tref_a is added to the added result at the adding section 126, and the target steering torque Tref is calculated (Step S28).

[0075] The target steering torque Tref generated at the target steering torque generating section 120 is inputted into the converting section 130, and is converted into the target torsional angle ref at the converting section 130 (Step S30). The target torsional angle ref is inputted into the torsional angle control section 140.

[0076] The torsional angle control section 140 inputs the torsional angle with the target torsional angle ref, and calculates the motor current command value Imc (Step S40). An operating example of the torsional angle control section 140 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12.

[0077] The target torsional angle ref inputted into the torsional angle control section 140 is inputted into the input limiting section 141, and the torsional angle is inputted into the torsional angular velocity calculating section 144 and the subtracting section 146 (Step S41).

[0078] The input limiting section 141 limits the upper and lower limit values of the target torsional angle ref by the preset upper limit value and lower limit value, and outputs the limited result as the target torsional angle ref to the rate limiting section 142 (Step S42). The rate limiting section 142 limits the change amount of the target torsional angle ref , and outputs the limited result as the target torsional angle ref to the subtracting section 146 (Step S43).

[0079] The deviation .sub.0 is calculated at the subtracting section 146 by subtracting the torsional angle from the target torsional angle ref (Step S44). The deviation .sub.0 is inputted into the torsional angle FB compensating section 143. The torsional angle FB compensating section 143 compensates the deviation .sub.0 by multiplying the deviation .sub.0 by the compensation value C.sub.FB (Step S45), and outputs the target torsional angular velocity ref to the velocity control section 150.

[0080] The torsional angular velocity calculating section 144 inputting the torsional angle calculates the torsional angular velocity cot by the differential calculation to the torsional angle (Step S46), and outputs it to the velocity control section 150.

[0081] In the velocity control section 150, the difference between the target torsional angular velocity ref and the torsional angular velocity t is calculated at the subtracting section 151, the proportional processing by the compensation value Kv is performed to the difference at the compensating section 152, and the result of the proportional processing is outputted as the motor current command value Imcb to the output limiting section 145 (Step S47).

[0082] The output limiting section 145 limits the upper and lower limit values of the motor current command value Imcb by the preset upper limit value and lower limit value (Step S48), and outputs the limited result as the motor current command value Imc (Step S49).

[0083] Current control is performed by driving the motor based on the motor current command value Imc outputted from the torsional angle control section 140 (Step S50).

[0084] Each Order of the data inputs, the calculations, or the like in FIGS. 10 to 12 is appropriately changeable.

[0085] An effect of the followability to the target steering torque by the present embodiment will be described based on a simulation result.

[0086] First, a simulation result in the case of performing only a conventional assist control will be shown. Assuming ordinary steering, as shown in FIG. 13, a simulation of responses of the steering angle h and the steering torque (the torsion bar torque) Tt in the case of changing the steering angle h in a sine wave shape whose amplitude is about 30 deg and whose frequency is about 1.0 Hz, is performed. In FIG. 13, a horizontal axis shows a time [sec], and a vertical axis shows a steering angle [deg].

[0087] A time sequence waveform of the simulation result is shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, a horizontal axis shows a steering angle [deg], a vertical axis shows a steering torque [N.Math.m], and signs of them are adjusted so that when the steering angle is positive, the steering torque is also positive. Since a target steering torque does not exist in the assist control, in the case of performing only the assist control, the steering torque has a characteristic where the steering torque remains outputted continuously.

[0088] Next, a simulation result in the case of performing the torsional angle control will be shown. In the torsional angle control, the compensation values of the torsional angle FB compensating section 143 and the compensating section 152 in the velocity control section 150 are set to a proportional gain, and the torsional angular velocity calculating section 144 has a structure of an HPF where a cutoff frequency is 50 Hz and a transfer function is expressed by the following expression 5 (T.sub.hpf is a time constant of a filter).

[00002] $\begin{matrix} \frac{s}{T_{hpf} .Math. s + 1} & [Expression .Math. .Math. 5] \end{matrix}$

As with the case of performing only the assist control, an inputted steering angle h is data of the sine wave shape as shown in FIG. 13. In this case, the target steering torque Tref outputted from the target steering torque generating section 120 becomes a waveform shown in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, a horizontal axis shows a steering angle [deg], and a vertical axis shows a target steering torque [N.Math.m].

[0089] FIG. 16 shows a simulation result. In FIG. 16, a horizontal axis shows a steering angle [deg], a vertical axis shows a steering torque [N.Math.m], and as with FIG. 14, signs of them are adjusted so that when the steering angle is positive, the steering torque is also positive. From FIGS. 15 and 16, it is found out that the steering torque follows the target steering torque comparatively well in the whole region.

[0090] Another configuration example of the present invention will be described.

[0091] Since the torsional angle of the torsion bar 2A can be replaced with the deviation between the steering wheel angle .sub.1 and the column angle .sub.2 as shown by expression 1, the torsional angle control section 140 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 can be equivalently replaced with a configuration example (a second embodiment) shown in FIG. 17 as an effect that the first embodiment has remains as it is.

[0092] Compared with the torsional angle control section 140 of the first embodiment, in a torsional angle control section 240 of the second embodiment, the steering wheel angle (a first rotation angle) .sub.1 and the column angle (a second rotation angle) .sub.2 are inputted in addition to the target torsional angle ref and the torsional angle , angular velocity calculating sections 244 and 247 for the steering wheel angle .sub.1 and the column angle .sub.2 respectively are added instead of the torsional angular velocity calculating section 144 for the torsional angle , and an adding section 248 is further added. By setting what is obtained by adding a steering wheel angular velocity (a first angular velocity) .sub.1 calculated by differentiating the steering wheel angle .sub.1 to the target torsional angular velocity ref to a target angular velocity refc, it is possible to regard the velocity control section 150 as a configuration of velocity control with respect to a column angular velocity (a second angular velocity).

[0093] Compared with the first embodiment, an operating example of the second embodiment is different in only the operation of the torsional angle control section, and other operations are the same.

[0094] An operating example of the torsional angle control section in the second embodiment is shown by a flowchart of FIG. 18. Operations from the start to step S45 of performing the torsional angle FB compensation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the target torsional angular velocity ref outputted from the torsional angle FB compensating section 143 is inputted into the adding section 248. The angular velocity calculating section 244 inputting the steering wheel angle .sub.1 calculates the steering wheel angular velocity .sub.1 by differential calculation (Step S46A). The target torsional angular velocity ref is added to the steering wheel angular velocity .sub.1 at the adding section 248, and the added result is outputted to the velocity control section 150 as the target angular velocity refc (Step S46B). The angular velocity calculating section 247 inputting the column angle .sub.2 calculates the column angular velocity .sub.2 by differential calculation (Step S46C), and outputs it to the velocity control section 150. The velocity control section 150 performs the velocity control based on the target angular velocity refc and the column angular velocity .sub.2 (Step S47). Operations after that are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0095] By replacing the torsional angle with the deviation between the steering wheel angle .sub.1 and the column angle .sub.2, besides the second embodiment, the torsional angle control section 140 can be equivalently replaced with a configuration example (a third embodiment) shown in FIG. 19 as the effect that the first embodiment has remains as it is.

[0096] Compared with the torsional angle control section of the second embodiment, in a torsional angle control section of the third embodiment, the torsional angle is not inputted, and an adding section 349 is added. By setting what is obtained by adding the steering wheel angle .sub.1 to the target torsional angle ref to a target rotation angle refc, multiplying the deviation .sub.0 between the target rotation angle refc and the column angle .sub.2 by the compensation value C.sub.FB, and setting what is obtained by adding the steering wheel angular velocity .sub.1 to the multiplied result to the target angular velocity refc, as with the second embodiment, it is possible to regard the velocity control section 150 as a configuration of velocity control with respect to a column angular velocity.

[0097] Compared with the second embodiment, an operating example of the third embodiment is different in only the operation of the torsional angle control section, and other operations are the same.

[0098] An operating example of the torsional angle control section in the third embodiment is shown by a flowchart of FIG. 20. Operations from the start to step S43 of performing the rate limitation are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the target torsional angle ref outputted from the rate limiting section 142 is inputted into the adding section 349. The steering wheel angle .sub.1 is also inputted into the adding section 349, and the result of adding target torsional angle ref and the steering wheel angle .sub.1 is outputted as the target rotation angle refc (Step S43A). The column angle .sub.2 is subtracted from the target rotation angle refc at the subtracting section 146, and the deviation .sub.0 is calculated (Step S44). Operations after that are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0099] In the second and the third embodiments, by simply making a reduction mechanism perform reduction ratio transformation, data obtained by dividing a motor angular velocity by a reduction ratio may be used as the column angular velocity .sub.2. In this case, the angular velocity calculating section 247 becomes unnecessary. Further, the steering angle h may be used instead of the steering wheel angle .sub.1.

[0100] Even when a current command value (an assist current command value) calculated based on a steering torque in a conventional EPS, for example, a current command value Iref1 outputted from a current command value calculating section 31 or a current command value Iref2 obtained by adding a compensation signal CM to the current command value Iref1 in FIG. 2, is added to the motor current command value Imc outputted from the torsional angle control section in the first to the third embodiments, it is possible to obtain the desired steering torque.

[0101] A configuration example (a fourth embodiment) of applying the above to the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 21. An assist control section 400 is constituted by the current command value calculating section 31, or the current command value calculating section 31, a compensation signal generating section 34 and an adding section 32A. An assist current command value Iac (corresponding to the current command value Iref1 or Iref2 in FIG. 2) outputted from the assist control section 400 and the motor current command value Imc outputted from the torsional angle control section 140 are added at an adding section 460, a current command value Ic of the added result is inputted into a current limiting section 470, a motor is driven based on a current command value Icm whose maximum current is limited, and the current control is performed.

[0102] With respect to the target steering torque generating section 120 in the above embodiments (the first to the fourth embodiments), in such a case of focusing on a cost and a processing time, it is possible to omit the damper calculating section and/or the hysteresis correcting section 124. In the case of omitting the damper calculating section, the differential section 122 and the adding section 127 can be also omitted. In the case of omitting the hysteresis correcting section 124, the right-turning/left-turning judging section 110 and the adding section 127 can be also omitted. Further, it is possible to insert a phase compensating section 128 performing phase compensation into a front stage or a rear stage of the basic map section 121. That is, it is possible to change a configuration of an area R surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 5 to a configuration shown in FIG. 22A or 22B. In the case of setting phase advance compensation as the phase compensation in the phase compensating section 128, and, for example, performing the phase advance compensation by a primary filter where a cutoff frequency of a numerator is set to 1.0 Hz and a cutoff frequency of a denominator is set to 1.3 Hz, it is possible to achieve comfortable feeling. With respect to the target steering torque generating section, if it is configured based on the vehicle driving information, the configuration is not limited to the above configurations.

[0103] Although the present invention is applied to a column-type EPS in FIGS. 1 and 3, the present invention is not limited to an upstream-type EPS such as the column-type EPS, and can also be applied to a downstream-type EPS such as a rack-and-pinion type EPS. Further, in a viewpoint that the feedback control is performed based on the target torsional angle, the present invention can be applied to a steer-by-wire reaction force apparatus which comprises at least a torsion bar whose spring constant is arbitrary and a sensor for detecting the torsional angle, and so on.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0104] 1 steering wheel [0105] 2 column shaft (steering shaft, handle shaft) [0106] 2A torsion bar [0107] 3 reduction mechanism [0108] 10 torque sensor [0109] 12 vehicle speed sensor [0110] 14 steering angle sensor [0111] 20 motor [0112] 30 control unit (ECU) [0113] 31 current command value calculating section [0114] 33, 470 current limiting section [0115] 34 compensation signal generating section [0116] 100 EPS steering system/vehicle system [0117] 110 right-turning/left-turning judging section [0118] 120 target steering torque generating section [0119] 121 basic map section [0120] 123 damper gain section [0121] 124 hysteresis correcting section [0122] 128 phase compensating section [0123] 130 converting section [0124] 140 torsional angle control section [0125] 141 input limiting section [0126] 142 rate limiting section [0127] 143 torsional angle feedback (FB) compensating section [0128] 144 torsional angular velocity calculating section [0129] 145 output limiting section [0130] 150 velocity control section [0131] 152 compensating section [0132] 244, 247 angular velocity calculating section [0133] 400 assist control section

STEERING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES

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Cpc classification

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B62D6/008

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

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B62D5/0481

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B62D5/0493

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

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B62D5/0472

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

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B62D5/0463

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

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B62D6/02

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

International classification

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B62D5/04

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B62D6/02

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Abstract

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