Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Daniel Tuttle

Darrel Alan Recker

Joseph M Raad

Timothy Gerard Offerle

David Michael Russell

Donald A Perlick

Frederick R Kasten

Ashraf Zeid

Kirk White

Cornelius Macfarland

Methods and systems are presented for generating visual and audible aids for a human that is driving a vehicle. In one example, a visual indication is provided during conditions when a wheel speed exceeds a vehicle reference speed by more than a threshold speed. In another example, an audible indication is provided during conditions when a vehicle speed exceeds a vehicle reference speed by more than a threshold speed.

Electric vehicle driving aid method and system

A pull-drift compensation controller device for a vehicle configured to perform operations including identifying a current pull-drift compensation torque and a current driver input torque while in an adapt-and-compensate state in which pull-drift compensation torque is learned and applied, wherein the vehicle is moving at a substantially straight heading; and performing a transition from a normal pull-drift compensation adjustment sub-state of the adapt-and-compensate state to a fast pull-drift compensation adjustment sub-state of the adapt-and-compensate state based on the current driver torque opposing the direction of the current pull-drift compensation torque without a change in the heading.

Pull-drift compensation enhancements

The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods of diagnosing a vehicle hydraulic power steering system and steering diagnostic systems for executing the same. Some exemplary diagnostic systems are configured to detect a steering system condition based on an evaluation of a steering pump outlet pressure, an engine speed and/or a steering wheel position. The system sends a warning signal when a predetermined steering system condition is detected.

Hydraulic steering diagnostic system and method

An electronic control unit monitors pressure conditions present at the input to the steering system and other vehicle data signals and then provides override control of a hydro-mechanical flow control device. An electro-hydraulic valve is connected to the supply side of the hydro-mechanical flow control device and reacts to the electronic monitoring of pressure and other vehicle data to alter the counter-balancing forces within the hydro-mechanical flow control device. This causes a by-pass diversion of steering fluid to the source by the hydro-mechanical flow control device and thereby relieves backpressure on the pump when relatively little steering assist is required to be provided by the steering system. The control of steering fluid diversion at such times results in a significant reduction in parasitic losses within the steering system and improves the operating and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Daniel Tuttle