Abstract: A master CPU and a slave CPU for processing data supplied from a detector unit, and a timer cleared by a clear signal supplied every predetermined time period from the master CPU when the operation of the master CPU is normal and adapted for supplying a reset signal to the master CPU and the slave CPU after the lapse of the predetermined time period and further after the lapse of another predetermined time period when an anomaly occurs in the operation of the master CPU. The master CPU monitors the processing data outputted from the slave CPU, and supplies a forced reset signal to the slave CPU when anomaly in the operation of the slave CPU is detected.

Abstract: A force sense imparting type input apparatus includes an operation portion, an actuator for imparting a force sense to the operation portion, a position sensor for detecting an operating direction and an operating quantity of the operation portion, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the actuator, and a controller for acquiring a position signal and a temperature signal and outputting driving signal of the actuator. A correction control portion provided to the controller determines a calorific value of the actuator from the temperature signal, then a correction value of driving power supplied to the actuator from the calorific value so calculated, adds a correction value of driving power of the actuator at the time of a normal operation and decides driving power of the actuator at the time of over-heat.

Abstract: A force pattern is formed by particular points in which forces to be supplied to a knob are set for a plurality of particular positions that are set in a movement range of the knob and prescribed functions connect each adjoining pair of particular positions. A storing section stores the particular points. A computing section determines in which region between the particular positions the knob is located, and calculates a control value to be supplied to an actuator on the basis of the prescribed function connecting the particular points.

Abstract: The rotary connector comprises a stationary housing 11 having a cylindrical portion 17 therein, a movable housing 12 having a cylindrical portion 19 therein provided on the stationary housing so as to be rotatable relatively thereto, and a flexible cable 14 accommodated within a housing section 13 formed between the stationary housing and the movable housing, in which the rotary connector further includes temperature detection means 41 for detecting the temperature of the flexible cable in a state of the temperature detection means being exposed within the housing section.

Abstract: The rotary connector comprises a stationary housing 11 having a cylindrical portion 17 therein, a movable housing 12 having a cylindrical portion 19 therein provided on the stationary housing so as to be rotatable relatively thereto, and a flexible cable 14 accommodated within a housing section 13 formed between the stationary housing and the movable housing, in which the rotary connector further includes temperature detection means 41 for detecting the temperature of the flexible cable in a state of the temperature detection means being exposed within the housing section.

Abstract: A rotational angle detector which comprises: a rotational angle detecting section which detects an angle detection signal correspondent to a rotational state of a rotor in a short cycle and feeds it to a control section; the control section which calculates the fed angle detection signal and sends an angle set signal through a controller to a controlled system; and a memory which stores the angle detection signal temporarily and also stores an allowable maximum angle value for the angle detection signal, wherein the control section makes the output cycle for the angle set signal longer than the detection cycle for the angle detection signal and counts the number of times when the angle detection signal as fed within the long output cycle for the angle detection signal is beyond the allowable maximum angle value and, if it decides that the count is beyond a preset number, outputs an abnormality signal instead of the angle set signal.

Abstract: The steer-by-wire steering device includes a steering wheel, an operating angle sensor which detects an operation angle of the steering wheel, an operating element actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the steering wheel, a tire reactive force sensor, a steering actuator which applies an external force to a vehicle's steering system, and a controller which receives output signals of the operating angle sensor and the tire reactive force sensor and controls driving of the operating element actuator and the steering actuator. A plurality of functions F1=f(b), F2=f(b), F3=f(b) which use a detection signal b inputted from the tire reactive force sensor as a parameter are preliminarily stored in the controller. Then, an optimum function is selected from the plurality of preliminarily stored functions in response to a level of the detection signal b.

Abstract: A force sense imparting type input apparatus includes an operation portion, an actuator for imparting a force sense to the operation portion, a position sensor for detecting an operating direction and an operating quantity of the operation portion, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the actuator, and a controller for acquiring a position signal and a temperature signal and outputting driving signal of the actuator. A correction control portion provided to the controller determines a calorific value of the actuator from the temperature signal, then a correction value of driving power supplied to the actuator from the calorific value so calculated, adds a correction value of driving power of the actuator at the time of a normal operation and decides driving power of the actuator at the time of over-heat.

Abstract: The rotary connector comprises a stationary housing 11 having a cylindrical portion 17 therein, a movable housing 12 having a cylindrical portion 19 therein provided on the stationary housing so as to be rotatable relatively thereto, and a flexible cable 14 accommodated within a housing section 13 formed between the stationary housing and the movable housing, in which the rotary connector further includes temperature detection means 41 for detecting the temperature of the flexible cable in a state of the temperature detection means being exposed within the housing section.

Abstract: A master CPU and a slave CPU for processing data supplied from a detector unit, and a timer cleared by a clear signal supplied every predetermined time period from the master CPU when the operation of the master CPU is normal and adapted for supplying a reset signal to the master CPU and the slave CPU after the lapse of the predetermined time period and further after the lapse of another predetermined time period when anomaly occurs in the operation of the master CPU are provided. The master CPU monitors the processing data outputted from the slave CPU, and supplies a forced reset signal to the slave CPU when anomaly in the operation of the slave CPU is detected from the result of monitoring.

Abstract: A force pattern is formed by particular points in which forces to be supplied to a knob are set for a plurality of particular positions that are set in a movement range of the knob and prescribed functions connect each adjoining pair of particular positions. A storing section stores the particular points. A computing section determines in which region between the particular positions the knob is located, and calculates a control value to be supplied to an actuator on the basis of the prescribed function connecting the particular points.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire gear shifter comprises: a holder; a rotary shaft rotatably held by the holder; a shift lever whose bottom is fixed on the rotary shaft; a shift knob attached to a top of the shift lever; detecting means for detecting an operational condition of the shift knob; an actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the shift knob through the rotary shaft and the shift lever; a control section which receives a detection signal a from the detecting means, a transmission signal d from a transmission controller and an engine revolution speed signal e from an engine controller, generates and outputs a control signal b for the actuator and a gear shift signal c for the transmission controller; and a release switch which unlocks the shift knob.

Abstract: A controller comprises: a home position memory which memorizes the home position of a steering wheel for force feedback control; a frequency calculating section which calculates a frequency of input of a steering signal; and a home position rewriting section which memorizes an operating angle of the steering wheel where the steering signal is most frequently inputted, as a new home position of the steering wheel in the home position memory. According to a rewriting signal outputted from the home position rewriting section, the home position memorized in the home position rewriting section is repeatedly rewritten.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting apparatus having a rotation detector that outputs, as a rotor coupled to a rotating member rotates, first and second detection signals, which have predetermined amplitudes, the same cycle, and a phase difference of a quarter wavelength, a memory for storing the first and second detection signals, and a control unit. The control unit detects the rotational angle of the rotating member by averaging the amplitudes of the first and second detection signals according to the area in which the first detection signal lies.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire gear shifter comprises: a holder; a rotary shaft rotatably held by the holder; a shift lever whose bottom is fixed on the rotary shaft; a shift knob attached to a top of the shift lever; detecting means for detecting an operational condition of the shift knob; an actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the shift knob through the rotary shaft and the shift lever; a control section which receives a detection signal a from the detecting means, a transmission signal d from a transmission controller and an engine revolution speed signal e from an engine controller, generates and outputs a control signal b for the actuator and a gear shift signal c for the transmission controller; and a release switch which unlocks the shift knob.

Abstract: A rotational angle detector which comprises: a rotational angle detecting section which detects an angle detection signal correspondent to a rotational state of a rotor in a short cycle and feeds it to a control section; the control section which calculates the fed angle detection signal and sends an angle set signal through a controller to a controlled system; and a memory which stores the angle detection signal temporarily and also stores an allowable maximum angle value for the angle detection signal, wherein the control section makes the output cycle for the angle set signal longer than the detection cycle for the angle detection signal and counts the number of times when the angle detection signal as fed within the long output cycle for the angle detection signal is beyond the allowable maximum angle value and, if it decides that the count is beyond a preset number, outputs an abnormality signal instead of the angle set signal.

Abstract: A controller comprises: a home position memory which memorizes the home position of a steering wheel for force feedback control; a frequency calculating section which calculates a frequency of input of a steering signal; and a home position rewriting section which memorizes an operating angle of the steering wheel where the steering signal is most frequently inputted, as a new home position of the steering wheel in the home position memory. According to a rewriting signal outputted from the home position rewriting section, the home position memorized in the home position rewriting section is repeatedly rewritten.

Abstract: The steer-by-wire steering device includes a steering wheel, an operating angle sensor which detects an operation angle of the steering wheel, an operating element actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the steering wheel, a tire reactive force sensor, a steering actuator which applies an external force to a vehicle's steering system, and a controller which receives output signals of the operating angle sensor and the tire reactive force sensor and controls driving of the operating element actuator and the steering actuator. A plurality of functions F1=f(b), F2=f(b), F3=f(b) which use a detection signal b inputted from the tire reactive force sensor as a parameter are preliminarily stored in the controller. Then, an optimum function is selected from the plurality of preliminarily stored functions in response to a level of the detection signal b.

Abstract: A rotation angular speed detection apparatus that accurately detects a low rotation angular speed of a rotating body includes: a receiving part for receiving rotation angles at predetermined time intervals from a rotation angle sensor that detects rotation angles of a rotating body; a storage part for storing received rotation angles; and a control part. When the difference between a first arbitrary angle stored and a second angle stored before the first angle is less than a predetermined value, the control part determines, from the stored rotation angles, a third angle in which a difference between the first angle and the third angle is more than the predetermined value, and the control part divides the difference between the first angle and the third angle by the time required from storing of the third angle to storing of the first angle to detect a rotation angular speed.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting device includes a rotation detecting section for outputting sinusoidal first and second detection signals as a result of the rotation of a rotor connected to a rotary member, a storage section for updating and storing the first and second detection signals, and a controlling section. The first and second detection signals have constant amplitudes, have the same periods, and have wavelengths which are output of phase. The controlling section compares the amplitude values of most recent first and second detection signals output from the rotation detecting section, and determines whether or not the amplitude values fall within proper ranges. When the controlling section determines that they fall within the proper ranges, a piece of detection information which is created based on the most recent first and second detection signals is supplied to a controller.