Inventors:
John R. Bradley - Clarkston MI
Thomas A. Perry - Washington MI
Richard E. Teets - Bloomfield Hills MI
Martin S. Meyer - Southfield MI
Jeffrey A. Sell - West Bloomfield MI
Thomas H. Van Steenkiste - Ray MI
Frank J. Bohac - Laguna Hills CA
Jerry S. Roach - Huntington Beach CA
Manfred W. Reissmueller - Orange CA
Everett K. Shelton - Huntington Beach CA
Hiro Yamasaki - Palos Verdes Estate CA
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
Hughes Aircraft Company - Detroit MI
International Classification:
B62D 500
Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus for sensing a vehicle steering wheel position. A permanent magnet target wheel having a global axial magnetic field normal to a first surface is attached to a steering shaft which is rotated by the steering wheel. Multiple regions equally spaced along a common radius on the first surface are magnetically altered and sensed by magnetically responsive sensors positioned adjacent the first radius. A single region positioned within a finite radius along a second radius on the first surface is magnetically altered and sensed by a magnetically responsive sensor positioned adjacent the second radius. The magnetic sensors are responsive to passage of the multiple regions and single region as the target wheel is rotated. Detection of each of the multiple regions corresponds to rotation of the target wheel by an incremental number of degrees. Detection of the single region corresponds to a target wheel position within a predetermined angular range, referred to as the center position.
