Patents by Inventor Motoaki Kataoka

Motoaki Kataoka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240101185
    Abstract: A servo controller calculates a base assist command, which is a basic command value of the assist torque, so that the steering torque follows a target steering torque. An estimated load torque calculation section calculates an estimated load torque. A target steering torque calculation section calculates a target steering torque using a map that defines a relationship between the estimated load torque and the target steering torque. The estimated load torque calculation section calculates the estimated load torque based on the steering torque or the target steering torque and an estimated load calculation assist command corresponding to a calculation result of only a proportional integral control calculation among the control calculations in the servo controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventor: MOTOAKI KATAOKA
  • Publication number: 20240092418
    Abstract: A servo controller calculates a base assist command so that a steering torque follows a target steering torque. An estimated load torque calculation section calculates an estimated load torque based on a target steering torque and a base assist command. A target steering torque calculation section calculates a target steering torque using a map that defines a relationship between the estimated load torque and the target steering torque. The servo controller has a low-pass filter for removing high-frequency components of a predetermined frequency or higher in the input target steering torque at least in a differential control calculation, and calculates a differential control amount according to a steering torque deviation between the target steering torque after the low-pass filter and the steering torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Motoaki KATAOKA, Katsuya FUJISAKI, Yusuke OTOGAWA
  • Publication number: 20230101263
    Abstract: An electronic control device is provided with a plurality of calculation blocks that calculate floating-point data. The electronic control device includes a storage that stores calculation data items of the plurality of calculation blocks. The electronic control device calculates a command value of a control amount in a control target based on the calculation data items of the plurality of calculation blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO SUZUKI, MASAYA TAKI, TOMOFUMI YOSHIDA, MOTOAKI KATAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220402542
    Abstract: A steering-angle control apparatus controls a steering mechanism based on a state command value, which is input in each predetermined period. An interpolation unit interpolates between a previous value and a current value of the input state command value to compute a state interpolation value in an interpolation period, which is shorter than the predetermined period. An interpolation-value determination unit determines whether the state interpolation value is an abnormal value. A control unit controls the steering mechanism based on the state interpolation value computed by the interpolation unit when the interpolation-value determination unit determines that the state interpolation value is not an abnormal value, and controls the steering mechanism based on the current value of the state command value when the interpolation-value determination unit determines that the state interpolation value is an abnormal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: YUUSUKE OTOGAWA, MOTOAKI KATAOKA, HARUO SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 11091196
    Abstract: A servo controller calculates a base assist torque so that a steering torque follows a target steering torque. A convergence control calculation unit provided as a correction control calculation unit calculates a correction control value in accordance with a steering speed which is a steering state value. A torque converter outputs a torque limit value determined by converting a current limit value into a torque to a servo limit value calculation unit. The servo limit value calculation unit calculates the servo limit value so that an absolute value of the servo limit value to be larger than an absolute value of the torque limit value in at least a part of a region of the steering speed or the correction control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoaki Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20210245796
    Abstract: A steering control device performs an assist control for generating an assist command that generates an assist torque based on a steering torque. The steering control device acquires a target value of physical quantity related to a steering. The steering control device performs a tracking control for generating a tracking command that generates an automatic steering torque for causing a detection value of physical quantity to track the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi AOKI, Motoaki KATAOKA
  • Publication number: 20200039577
    Abstract: A servo controller calculates a base assist torque so that a steering torque follows a target steering torque. A convergence control calculation unit provided as a correction control calculation unit calculates a correction control value in accordance with a steering speed which is a steering state value. A torque converter outputs a torque limit value determined by converting a current limit value into a torque to a servo limit value calculation unit. The servo limit value calculation unit calculates the servo limit value so that an absolute value of the servo limit value to be larger than an absolute value of the torque limit value in at least a part of a region of the steering speed or the correction control value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Motoaki KATAOKA
  • Patent number: 10407091
    Abstract: An electric power steering control apparatus that assists a steering operation made by a driver with a motor includes: a target torque calculation unit calculating a target steering torque; an assist torque calculation unit calculating an assist torque which enables an actual steering torque follows close to the target steering torque according to a difference therebetween; a motor drive unit driving a motor acting on a steering system mechanism so that a steering angle of vehicle is changed according to the assist torque; and a followability change unit that detects an abnormality of a torque sensor for detecting the actual steering torque. When abnormality is detected in the torque sensor, a followability of the actual steering torque to the target steering torque controlled by the assist torque is degraded compared with a case where no abnormality is detected in the torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Minamiguchi, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10370029
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus controls an assistance torque outputted by a motor connected to a steering system mechanism that generates a steering torque. In the steering control apparatus, a load calculating unit estimates or detects a load acting on a steering shaft of the steering system mechanism. A target steering torque calculating unit calculates a target steering torque that is a target value of the steering torque, based on the estimated or detected load. A servo controller calculates a command value of the assistance torque such that a torque deviation that is a difference between the steering torque and the target steering torque is zero. A band correcting unit includes a band correction filter that extracts a component of a specific frequency band during a process of calculation from the load to the target steering torque, and corrects a gain of a predetermined transfer function at the extracted band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoaki Kataoka, Yosuke Hirate
  • Patent number: 10358161
    Abstract: A steering controller that controls a motor to output an assist torque to steer a steering member, including a steer property calculator calculating a steer state quantity that is an index of a steering state indicating one of (i) a steer-away state, (ii) a steer-back state, or (iii) a stay-still state, an adjusted torque calculator calculating an adjusted torque based on the steer state quantity, and an instruction value calculator calculating an assist torque instruction that is an instruction value regarding a drive of the motor by using the adjusted torque. In such manner, the steer state quantity, the steer-back operation, the stay-still operation of a steering wheel, and the adjusted torque are appropriately calculated, thereby enabling an appropriate adjustment of a steering feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Motoaki Kataoka, Yosuke Hirate
  • Patent number: 10259489
    Abstract: An electric steering control device controls a steering characteristic by outputting an assist torque using a motor, and the assist torque corresponds to a detection value of a steering torque which is applied to a steering shaft. The electric steering control device includes a steering target value generation unit generating a target value of the steering torque based on a state amount estimated from the target value of the steering torque and the assist torque, a command value generation unit generating a command value for controlling the motor to reduce a deviation between the target value of the steering torque and the detection value of the steering torque to a level lower than a predetermined threshold, and a motor drive unit driving the motor based on the command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Minamiguchi, Motoaki Kataoka, Yosuke Hirate
  • Patent number: 10035538
    Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle works to determine an assist command based on steering torque to produce assist torque through an electric motor for assisting in turning a steering wheel of the vehicle, also determines a tracking command for producing automatic steering torque which brings a value of a given physical quantity associated with steering of the vehicle into agreement a target value, and controls a response rate at which a value of a given physical quantity is brought into agreement with a target value in a feedback mode. A motor driver works to actuate an electric motor based on the sum of the assist command and the tracking command to output the torque for steering the system vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Motoaki Kataoka, Toshiki Matsumoto, Hisashi Iida
  • Patent number: 9988074
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus controls steering characteristics by controlling a motor to output assist torque, which is generated corresponding to a steering torque applied to a steering shaft. The steering control apparatus includes a torque deviation generator generating a torque deviation between the steering torque applied to the steering shaft and a target steering torque and a command value generator generating an assist torque command value for controlling the motor based on a basic command value. The basic command value controls the torque deviation to become zero. The command value generator includes an integrator integrating and outputting the torque deviation and an output limiter setting an output limit to an immediately previous basic command value obtained immediately before the basic command value. The output limiter generates the assist torque command value using the immediately previous basic command value to which the output limit is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Hirate, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20180118253
    Abstract: An electric power steering control apparatus that assists a steering operation made by a driver with a motor includes: a target torque calculation unit calculating a target steering torque; an assist torque calculation unit calculating an assist torque which enables an actual steering torque follows close to the target steering torque according to a difference therebetween; a motor drive unit driving a motor acting on a steering system mechanism so that a steering angle of vehicle is changed according to the assist torque; and a followability change unit that detects an abnormality of a torque sensor for detecting the actual steering torque. When abnormality is detected in the torque sensor, a followability of the actual steering torque to the target steering torque controlled by the assist torque is degraded compared with a case where no abnormality is detected in the torque sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Yuuichi Minamiguchi, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20180022384
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus controls an assistance torque outputted by a motor connected to a steering system mechanism that generates a steering torque. In the steering control apparatus, a load calculating unit estimates or detects a load acting on a steering shaft of the steering system mechanism. A target steering torque calculating unit calculates a target steering torque that is a target value of the steering torque, based on the estimated or detected load. A servo controller calculates a command value of the assistance torque such that a torque deviation that is a difference between the steering torque and the target steering torque is zero. A band correcting unit includes a band correction filter that extracts a component of a specific frequency band during a process of calculation from the load to the target steering torque, and corrects a gain of a predetermined transfer function at the extracted band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Motoaki KATAOKA, Yosuke HIRATE
  • Patent number: 9855967
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus controls includes a steering quantity generation unit generating a steering quantity indicative of an operation performed on the steering member, an adjustment torque generation unit generating an adjustment torque and adjusting a mechanical impedance corresponding to the adjustment torque, and a command value generation unit generating a command value and controlling the motor according to the command value using the adjustment torque generated by the adjustment torque generation unit. The steering quantity is a physical quantity that has different values at least in a state of rotating the steering member, a state of returning the steering member, or a state of retaining the steering member, and the steering quantity indicates an operation amount of rotating the steering member or an operation amount of returning the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Hirate, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9796410
    Abstract: A motor controller has an assist controller that generates an assist instruction AC to generate an assist torque for lightening a steering load based on a detected value of a steering torque, and a follow controller obtaining a target value of a physical quantity regarding a steering operation and generating a follow instruction TC of a follow control. Further, an intervention detector in the motor controller detects an intervention of a driver or of a system, and a restrictor restricts an internal value that is used by the assist controller or by the follow controller, so that a ratio of the assist torque against the automatic steering torque is changed, which makes it possible to switch a control to the driver or to a system without a causing a wrong feeling to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Motoaki Kataoka, Daisuke Tokumochi, Yasuhiko Mukai
  • Patent number: 9764758
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a basic assist amount calculation section calculating a basic assist amount for assisting the manipulation of a steering wheel, and an assist compensation amount calculation section calculating an assist compensation amount for correcting the basic assist amount. The system includes an assist amount correction section calculating a corrected assist amount by correcting the basic assist amount based on the assist compensation amount, and a motor drive section driving a motor using the corrected assist amount. The assist compensation amount calculation section uses a reverse input specification that more transmits the signal components of specific frequency in road-surface input torque, to a steering wheel than in the case of using only the basic assist amount, and calculates the assist compensation amount suitable for a vehicle-state value, such as a steering torque, to suppress variation in the transmission characteristics due to variation of the vehicle-state value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Daiji Watanabe, Motoaki Kataoka, Yoshio Kudo, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170253266
    Abstract: An electric steering control device controls a steering characteristic by outputting an assist torque using a motor, and the assist torque corresponds to a detection value of a steering torque which is applied to a steering shaft. The electric steering control device includes a steering target value generation unit generating a target value of the steering torque based on a state amount estimated from the target value of the steering torque and the assist torque, a command value generation unit generating a command value for controlling the motor to reduce a deviation between the target value of the steering torque and the detection value of the steering torque to a level lower than a predetermined threshold, and a motor drive unit driving the motor based on the command value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yuuichi Minamiguchi, Motoaki Kataoka, Yosuke Hirate
  • Publication number: 20170217477
    Abstract: A motor controller has an assist controller that generates an assist instruction AC to generate an assist torque for lightening a steering load based on a detected value of a steering torque, and a follow controller obtaining a target value of a physical quantity regarding a steering operation and generating a follow instruction TC of a follow control. Further, an intervention detector in the motor controller detects an intervention of a driver or of a system, and a restrictor restricts an internal value that is used by the assist controller or by the follow controller, so that a ratio of the assist torque against the automatic steering torque is changed, which makes it possible to switch a control to the driver or to a system without a causing a wrong feeling to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Motoaki Kataoka, Daisuke Tokumochi, Yasuhiko Mukai