Trw Limited

Trw Automotive U.S. LLC

Kelsey-hayes Company

Joseph D Miller

Kevin M McLaughlin

Don Blandino

Abbas Ahmad Fardoun

Ivan J Williams

James E Eninger

Richard A Stoll

Mark William Gluch

Robert Aprahamian

Hemant Sardar

Charles K Murch

Michael J Medora

Paul K Webber

James H Galloway

William C Fennessy

James C Loria

Leland A Ginbey

Brett M Swiss

Dean W Mielke

Chris Mantjios

This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.

Fail safe operational steering system for autonomous driving

A method and apparatus for determining a fault in an electric motor () determines a calculated star voltage (V) of the electric motor. The calculated star voltage (V) is compared to a measured star voltage (V) of the electric motor () to determine a star voltage error (V). The fault in the electric motor () is determined when the star voltage error (V) exceeds a predetermined maximum star voltage error (V).

Method and apparatus for determining faults in an electric assist steering system

A power assisted steering system includes a steering assembly and a power assist assembly. The power assist assembly includes a motor having an output shaft that is connected to the steering assembly. A target disc is connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith. A control unit has a printed circuit board including at least one sensor supported thereon. The sensor is responsive to rotation of the target disc for generating a signal. The controller is responsive to the sensor signal for controlling the operation of the motor.

Sensor mounting for power assisted steering system

A method and system are provided for controlling an electric assist motor in a vehicle steering system during an enablement of an overuse algorithm. Electric power is provided to the electric assist motor of the vehicle steering system via a switching circuit. Temperature of one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry that provides power to the electric assist motor is sensed. A determination is made whether the sensed temperature of the one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry is increasing over a predetermined period of time. The electric power provided to electric assist motor is reduced in response to a lack of increase in said sensed temperature.

Method and apparatus for detecting a failed temperature sensor in an electric assist steering system

An electrically assisted power steering system includes an anti-theft feature. Upon detection of an event that is indicative of a vehicle theft situation, the drive circuit for the electric assist motor is selectively actuated to excite the motor windings to either prevent or oppose movement of the steering system.

Electrically assisted power steering system with anti-theft capability

An apparatus and method of controlling an electric motor () having a rotor () that is formed from a series of laminations () and has a plurality of rotor poles () and a stator () that encircles the rotor () and has a plurality of stator poles (), each with a respective stator winding (). A first sensor () senses actual inductance in the respective stator winding (). A second sensor () senses a position of the rotor () relative to the stator (). A controller () determines a reference inductance based on the rotor position signal, determines a difference between the actual inductance and the reference inductance, and prevents further energization of the stator windings () when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount.

Apparatus and method for determining rotor lamination shifts in an electric motor

An electric power assisted steering system ( ) for a vehicle comprises a steering gear ( ) having a rack bar ( ) and a housing ( ). The rack bar ( ) is movable linearly relative to the housing ( ) for turning steerable wheels ( and ) of the vehicle. An electric motor ( ) is coupled with the rack bar ( ) of the steering gear ( ). Energization of the electric motor ( ) causes linear movement of the rack bar ( ) relative to the housing ( ). At least one vehicle condition sensor senses a vehicle condition and generates a signal indicative of the vehicle condition. A motor current sensor ( ) senses an actual current of the electric motor ( ) and generates a signal indicative of the actual motor current. A single integrated circuit ( ) includes a main processor ( ) and a monitoring processor ( ). The main processor ( ) controls the actual motor current delivered to the electric motor ( ). The monitoring processor ( ) determines if the main processor ( ) is properly functioning.

Electric power assisted steering system having a single integrated circuit with two processors

A vehicle steering assembly ( ) comprises a steering member ( ) having a rack portion ( ) for engagement with a pinion ( ) and a screw portion ( ). A ball nut ( ) cooperates with the screw portion ( ) to move the steering member ( ) axially upon rotation of the ball nut ( ). An electric motor ( ) is drivingly connected to the ball nut ( ). The member ( ) has an additional portion ( ) projecting from the ball nut ( ) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly ( ) includes a cold-formed metal housing ( ) having a generally cylindrical main body portion ( ) enclosing and supporting the electric motor ( ) and the ball nut ( ) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion ( ) enclosing the additional portion ( ) of the member ( ). The housing ( ) has structure associated with the outboard portion ( ) for mounting the assembly ( ) to the vehicle.

Method of forming mounting features of electric steering housing

An electric assist steering system ( ) includes a torque sensor ( ) that provides an applied torque signal ( ) indicative of applied steering torque. A motor position sensor ( ) provides a motor position signal ( ) indicative of the relative position between the rotor and the stator of an AC permanent magnet electric assist motor ( ). A first controller ( ) controls energization of the electric assist motor and a second controller ( ) calculates a DQ vector value in response to applied steering torque and motor position. The second controller ( ) also transforms the monitored motor current and position into DQ values. The second controller ( ) compares the DQ values responsive to applied steering torque with the DQ value from monitored motor current and position. The electric assist motor ( ) is disabled if the comparison indicates inconsistent results.

Apparatus and method for controlling an electric motor

An apparatus for controlling a steering assist system ( ) of the type having an electric assist motor ( ) steerably connected to steerable wheels ( ) of a vehicle. The apparatus ( ) includes a torque sensor ( ) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A steering selector ( ) is used to select a desirable amount of steering assist. A vehicle speed sensor ( ) is provided for sensing vehicle speed. A main controller ( ) controls the steering assist motor ( ) in response to the applied steering torque, the sensed vehicle speed, and the steering selector by adding an indexed speed value ( ) to the vehicle speed signal in response the selection of the steering selector ( ). The main controller ( ) includes dynamically varying, vehicle speed dependant tunable parameters. An overseer controller ( ) monitors operation of the main controller. The operation of the overseer controller and the main controller are synchronized relative to the vehicle speed so that the overseer ( ) accounts for the dynamically varying, vehicle speed dependant tunable parameters of the main controller ( ).

Method and apparatus for controlling steering feel with diagnostics

A vehicle electric assist steering system ( ) includes a switching circuit ( ) for providing electrical power to an electric motor ( ) of the vehicle steering system. The switching circuit ( ) has a temperature condition. A temperature sensor ( ) is coupled with the switching circuit ( ) for providing an output signal ( ) having a value indicative of the temperature condition of the switching circuit ( ). A stall detector ( ) is responsive to the output signal ( ). The stall detector ( ) is operable to reduce power to the electric motor to different level during a stall condition based on the sensed temperature condition of the switching circuit ( ).

Method and apparatus for detecting a motor stall condition in an electric assist steering system

A torque sensing apparatus (,) includes first and second sensor elements (,) which are substantially diametrically opposed relative to a central axis extending between the first and second sensor elements. Each of the sensor elements (,) is operative to provide an electrical signal (,) that varies as a function of the relative position between first and second parts of the respective sensor elements. The electrical signals (,) of the first and second sensor elements (,) vary in inverse relationship in response to non-rotational relative movement between the first and second parts of the respective sensor elements.

Torque sensing apparatus for an electric assist steering system

A steering assembly (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel (12) includes a pinion (30). A steering member (14) is movable axially to effect turning movement of the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The steering member (14) has a rack portion (34) for engagement with the pinion (30) and an externally threaded screw portion (38). An electric motor (50) includes a rotor (132) drivingly connected to the steering member (14) and a stator (70). The stator (70) when energized effects movement of the rotor (132) and, thereby, rotation of the steering member (14). An electronic control unit (210) for helping to control operation of the electric motor (50) comprises at least one heat-generating component (220). A one-piece cast metal member (60) made of a homogeneous material has a main body portion (66) encapsulating and supporting the stator (70) and has an electronic control unit housing portion (102). The electronic control unit housing portion (102) of the one-piece metal member (60) includes a platform (94). The heat-generating component (220) is fastened to the platform (94) in a thermally conductive relationship.

Electric steering motor with one-piece metal shell

A system (10) for compensating torque steer in a vehicle power assist steering system for a front wheel drive vehicle includes an engine speed sensor (60) or a road wheel drive torque sensor (61). A torque sensor (32) senses applied steering torque. A steering assist motor (28) provides power assist to assist the vehicle operator in steering the vehicle. A controller (62) controls the power assist motor in response to the sensed applied steering torque and in response to one of the sensed engine speed or the road wheel drive torque to compensate for torque steer.

Method and apparatus for compensating torque steer

An electric assist steering system includes a vehicle speed sensor that provides a vehicle speed signal. A determination is made as to whether loss of the vehicle speed signal has occurred. Damping of the electric assist steering system is controlled in response to the sensed vehicle speed and in response to a predetermined vehicle speed value when the vehicle speed signal is lost.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Joseph D Miller