18394039. VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DEVICE simplified abstract (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

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VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DEVICE

Organization Name

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s)

Takeshi Hamaguchi of Seto-shi (JP)

Shusaku Sugamoto of Toyota-shi (JP)

Satoshi Handa of Kariya-shi (JP)

Satoshi Inoue of Anjo-shi (JP)

Shintaro Saigo of Nisshin-shi (JP)

VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18394039 titled 'VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DEVICE

Simplified Explanation

The vehicle steering control device described in the abstract is designed to assist drivers in navigating curved roads by predicting the start time of a steering operation and adjusting the steering reaction force accordingly.

  • Control device for steering operation assistance
  • Acquires information on curved road ahead
  • Sets guide steering operation amount based on road information
  • Predicts start time of actual steering operation
  • Adjusts steering reaction force earlier than start time based on difference in steering operation amounts

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in various industries and vehicles, including:

  • Automotive industry for advanced driver assistance systems
  • Autonomous vehicles for improved navigation on curved roads
  • Agricultural machinery for precision steering in fields

Problems Solved

The technology addresses several challenges faced by drivers, such as:

  • Improving safety on curved roads
  • Enhancing driver comfort and control
  • Optimizing steering response in different road conditions

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Increased driver confidence on challenging roads
  • Reduced risk of accidents on curves
  • Enhanced overall driving experience for users

Potential Commercial Applications

This technology has potential commercial applications in:

  • Automotive industry for integration into new vehicle models
  • Aftermarket products for retrofitting existing vehicles
  • Fleet management systems for improved driver performance monitoring

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art in this field is the development of adaptive steering systems that adjust steering response based on road conditions and driver behavior. These systems have been evolving to provide more precise and efficient steering assistance to drivers.

Unanswered Questions

How does this technology impact driver behavior on straight roads?

This article focuses on assisting drivers on curved roads, but it does not address how the technology may affect driver behavior and steering control on straight roads. Further research is needed to understand the overall impact of this system on different types of road conditions.

What are the potential limitations of this technology in extreme weather conditions?

While the technology aims to improve steering control on curved roads, its effectiveness in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow is not discussed in the article. Future studies could explore the limitations of this system in adverse weather scenarios.


Original Abstract Submitted

A vehicle steering control device includes a control device. The control device is configured to control a steering reaction force to be applied to a steering operation performed by a driver of a driver's vehicle, acquire information on a curved road ahead of the driver's vehicle in a traveling direction, set a guide steering operation amount based on the information on the curved road, predict a time at which the driver starts an actual steering operation for driving the driver's vehicle along the curved road as a steering operation start time, and set, based on a difference between the guide steering operation amount and an actual amount of the steering operation, the steering reaction force at a time earlier by a predetermined period than the steering operation start time.