Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method to determine position of a steering column assembly of/in a vehicle.

Background of the invention:
[0002] In the existing or conventional solution or the in present system, a rotor position sensor in motor based actuators are used to determine the positioning of steering wheel/column by having the software model. Further, to meet higher Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL-D) classifications, additional sensors are used to correlate the sensor signal. This is an indirect method to evaluate the steering column assembly position. Disadvantages of the existing concept is that skilled service engineer are needed with more efforts required for calibration (i.e. after sales, reinstallation, misusage at service station, etc.). Also, failure of the rotor position sensor, mechanical components leads into wrong positioning of steering column/wheel, which can leave safety violation in vehicle level. In other example, a dual Hall sensors based setup is required to meet ASIL-D requirements, which is not cost effective (as interfaces to sensor and control units increases).

[0003] According to state of the art US2020339176, methods for steering system impedance control is provided. A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a moveable steering wheel assembly, at least one actuator coupled to the moveable steering column assembly and configured to move the vehicle steering system from a first position to a second position, providing a sensor connected to the vehicle steering system and configured to measure a steering system displacement, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensor and the at least one actuator, monitoring sensor data received from the sensor to determine a measured steering system displacement, comparing the measured steering system displacement with a tracking displacement, determining whether a condition is satisfied, and, if the condition is satisfied, automatically generating a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a device to determine position of a steering column assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for determining position of the steering column assembly of the vehicle, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a device to determine position of a steering column assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The steering column assembly 102 adjustable in at least one of an axial direction and tilt orientation/position. The steering column assembly 102 also comprises a steering shaft 114 which translates the input from a steering wheel 104 to front wheels or steerable wheels. The device 120 comprises a controller 118 to determine position of the steering column assembly 102 using an input signal from a sensor 110, characterized in that, the sensor 110 is selected from at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The accelerometer provides signals in at least three axis. Similarly, the gyroscope provides signals for multiple axis. Alternatively, a single axis based sensor 110 is used for each axis of interest. An extended position 106 of the steering column assembly 102 and tilted position 108 of the steering column assembly 102 is shown for simplicity in understanding.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 110 is mountable on at least one of the steering column assembly 102 and the steering wheel 104 coupled to the steering column assembly 102. The adjustment of the steering column assembly 102 is performed by any one of a manual operation and an automated operation. The automated operation is performed by at least one motor 112, 116 couped to the steering column assembly 102. The at least one motor 112, 116 is coupled to the steering column assembly 102 through respective gear arrangements. The at least one motor 112, 116 is used for positioning the steering column assembly 102 as per driver demand. In addition, various control units in the vehicle await signal with the exact position of steering wheel 104 for specific control action.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 118 is configured to receive input signals from the at least one of the accelerometer and the gyroscope. The controller 118 is configured to receive input signals from the sensor 110, and process the received input signal and determine position of the steering column assembly 102 along at least X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The position of the steering column assembly 102 is determined in comparison to a reference position already stored in the memory element of the controller 118. The reference position is the default position at the time of manufacturing of the vehicle. The controller 118 stores/saves the determined position in the memory element for future use and requirements. The controller 118 is also configured to continuously filter out structural borne noise (example: Engine, Road) and airborne noise (example: Gravity etc.) while position of the steering column assembly 102 is determined. The signals from the sensor 110 may also be used in the filtering process or other filtering techniques are implemented either independently or in combination.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 118 is configured to retrieve the stored position from the memory element when requested, and adjusts the steering column assembly 102 to the position using at least one motor 112, 116 coupled to the steering column assembly 102. For example, two users set a particular position of the steering column assembly 102 based on their respective seating position. Once the respective setting is selected, the controller 118 automatically adjusts the steering column assembly 102 or the steering wheel 104 to the pre-set position when selected by the respective users. Alternatively, the position of the steering column assembly 102 is used in conjunction with airbag related checks.

[0011] According to the present invention, the controller 118 is provided with necessary signal detection, acquisition, and processing circuits. The controller 118 is the control unit which comprises input/output interfaces having pins or ports, a memory element (not shown) such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers, counters and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules/models and/or threshold/safe limit values/ranges, which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 118 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 118 may also comprise communication units to communicate with Engine Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, Controller Area Network (CAN), and the like. The controller 118 is implementable in the form of System-in-Package (SiP) or System-on-Chip (SOC) or any other known types.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the steering column assembly 102 or an Electrical Power Steering (EPS) is provided. The steering column assembly 102 or the EPS adjustable in at least one of an axial direction and tilt orientation. The steering column assembly 102 also comprises a steering shaft 114 which translates the input from the steering wheel 104 to front wheels or steerable wheels, characterized in that, the sensor 110 is mounted on the steering wheel 104 selected from at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The sensor 110 is used in determination of the exact position of the steering column assembly 102 or the steering wheel 104 which is later used for different purposes in the vehicle. The position is determined with the help of the controller 118.

[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for determining position of the steering column assembly of the vehicle, according to the present invention. The method comprises plurality of steps of which a step 202 comprises receiving, by the controller 118, the input signal from the sensor 110, characterized by the sensor 110 is selected from at least one of the accelerometer and the gyroscope. A step 204 comprises processing the received input signals and determining position of the steering column assembly 102 at least along X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. In the step 204, processing the received input signals comprises continuously filtering out structural borne noise and airborne noise before determining the position of the steering column assembly 102 by using the signals of the sensor 104 or the other filtering techniques known in the art. The sensor 110 is mounted on the steering column assembly 102 or the steering wheel 104.

[0014] According to the present invention, the controller 118 and method of positioning the steering column assembly 102 using accelerometer and gyroscope sensor 110 is provided. The at least one motor 112, 116 is used for tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment. The position of the steering column assembly 102 is determined in less complicated manner. Further, ASIL-D is achievable without single rotor position sensor in the motor 112, 116. No need of multiple calibration required, as positioning of steering column assembly 102 captured easily by mounting the sensor 110 on the steering wheel 104, which reduces the efforts at service station. Mechanical failures can be classified. High level of safety is ensured. The present invention provides a solution with which exact position of the steering column assembly 102/ steering wheel 104 is obtained. The use of either one of the accelerometer and the gyroscope enables to determine the position, however the use of two offers redundancy and even more robust solution with fail-safe operation.

[0015] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

, Claims:We claim:
1. A device (120) to determine position of a steering column assembly (102) of a vehicle, said steering column assembly (102) adjustable in at least one of an axial direction and tilt orientation, said device (120) comprises a controller (118) to determine position of said steering column assembly (102) using an input signal from a sensor (110), characterized in that,
said sensor (110) is selected from at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

2. The device (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor (110) is mountable on any one of said steering column assembly (102) and a steering wheel (104) and coupled to said steering column assembly (102).

3. The device (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustment of said steering column assembly (102) is performed by any one of a manual operation and an automated operation.

4. The device (120) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said automated operation is performed by at least one motor (112, 116) couped to said steering column assembly (102), said at least one motor (112, 116) is coupled to said steering column assembly (102) through respective gear arrangements.

5. The device (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (118) configured to:
receive input signals from said sensor (110), and
process said received input signal and determine position of said steering column assembly (102) along at least X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

6. The device (120) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said controller (118) configured to continuously filters out structural borne noise and airborne noise while position of said steering column assembly (102) is determined.

7. The device (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position is stored in a memory element of said controller (118).

8. The device (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (118) configured to,
retrieve a position stored in a memory element when requested, and
adjust said steering column assembly (102) to said position using at least one motor (112, 116) coupled to said steering column assembly (102).

9. A method for determining position of the steering column assembly (102) of a vehicle, said method comprises the steps of:
receiving, by a controller (118), an input signal from a sensor (110), characterized by, said sensor (110) is selected from at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and
processing said received input signal and determining position of said steering column assembly (102) along at least X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said processing comprises continuously filtering out structural borne noise and airborne noise before determining the position of said steering column assembly (102).