Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Denso Corporation

Denso International America, Inc.

Joshua Guerra

Lodewijk Wijffels

Oliver Nehls

Jeremy Rawlings

Jan Bremkens

Ashrit Das

Devon Eyerman

Ronald Loyd Chadwick

Scott J Lauffer

Sergio Codonesu

Joseph Park

Sang Bae Park

Timothy Cannon

Parker Farlow

Sagar Avaneendra Tatipamula

Yijun Li

Donald Edward Bradfield

Kentaro Takahashi

Kazuo Tsuchihashi

Ziyu Ke

Lodewijk Maarten Erik Wijffels

Benjamin James Northrup

Zhong Ren

Emad Abdelrahman

Methods, systems, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control a vehicle based on signal blending are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes programmable circuitry at least determine a first yaw rate signal based on first signal data output by a yaw rate sensor of a vehicle, determine a second yaw rate signal based on second signal data output by a steering wheel angle sensor of the vehicle, determine a blended yaw rate signal based on the first yaw rate signal and the second yaw rate signal, and adjust a torque to be applied by a motor of the vehicle based on the blended yaw rate signal.

Methods, systems, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control a vehicle based on signal blending

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect an actual steering column torque and an actual steering wheel angle, predict a steering wheel torque with a state-estimation algorithm that outputs a plurality of vehicle states including the predicted steering wheel torque, adjust the plurality of vehicle states based on an algorithm noise that is based on a steering wheel angular speed to generate estimated vehicle states, output the estimated vehicle states including an estimated user-applied steering wheel torque, and transition from an autonomous mode to a manual mode when the estimated steering wheel torque exceeds a threshold. The state-estimation algorithm accepts input including the actual steering column torque and the actual steering wheel angle and outputs the plurality of vehicle states.

Enhanced vehicle operation

A computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to record steering-system torque in response to a difference between a detected steering angle and a requested steering angle exceeding an angle threshold, increment a counter based on the recorded steering-system torque, and set a repair indicator in response to the counter exceeding a counter threshold.

Suspension-system degradation detection

A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine at least one of a vehicle pitch or a longitudinal center of gravity from data measured while deactivating a first brake for a first axle and applying a second brake for a second axle, and operate the vehicle based on the at least one of vehicle pitch or longitudinal center of gravity. The instructions may further include to determine a vehicle weight from the data, and operate the vehicle based on the vehicle weight.

Driving adjustment for vehicle loading

A system for a vehicle includes a gear and a plate fixed to the gear. The gear is driving by a motor for providing relative rotation between a steering wheel and steering shaft of the vehicle in an adaptive front steering system. The system includes a solenoid including a coil and a pin moveable relative to the coil to engage the plate based on a signal. A sensor is configured to detect a change in current through the coil associated with initial movement of the pin relative to the coil. The system includes a controller programmed to change the duty cycle signal in response to the change in current to slow movement of the pin to reduce or eliminate a clicking noise associated with the pin seating in an extended position or retracted position.

Lock for vehicle active front steering system

A system for estimating torque in a locked vehicle system may include a locking mechanism comprising a stiff material. The system may further include a controller configured to estimate an amount of torque in the locked vehicle system based on a deformation of the stiff material.

Systems and methods for estimating torque in a locked vehicle system

A method for estimating steering assistance provided by a power steering system of a vehicle may include correlating an internal torque applied by an adaptive steering system of the vehicle with an external torque applied to a steering assembly of the vehicle. The method may also include estimating the steering assistance based on the correlation.

Systems and methods for estimating steering assistance

A steering locking system is provided for a motor vehicle that includes a pin, a locking disc to receive the pin, an actuation device, and a control unit. The actuation device is configured to control movement of the pin. The control unit is configured to control rotation of the locking disc and movement of the pin via the actuation device. Further, the control unit is configured to permit movement of the pin into the pocket after the occurrence of a predetermined event. The steering locking system can further include a motor operatively associated with the locking disc. The control unit may be configured to control the motor at a first power level to maintain the motor in a state of readiness and to control the motor at a second power level, different from the first power level, when the locking system detects a torque applied to the steering system.

Steering systems including locking controls for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles including steering systems

A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger. The mounting bracket includes a heat exchanger engagement portion and a mounting portion. The heat exchanger engagement portion includes a retention member. The mounting portion extends from the heat exchanger engagement portion and is configured for fixedly mounting the mounting bracket. Cooperation between the retention member and the heat exchanger secures the heat exchanger to the mounting bracket.

Fastener-less retained heat exchanger mounting bracket for low installation force

A vehicle including an active front steer system including a locking mechanism having a solenoid actuated locking pin and a spring for biasing the pin toward an extended or locked position for engaging a locking disc of the active front steer system wherein the active front steer system further includes a current sensor for sensing the motion of the pin of the solenoid when the engine of the vehicle is shut down and pulse width modulated current to the solenoid is reduced and when the pin movement is sensed, the pulse width modulated current is increased (fed forward duty cycle) to reduce the movement of the pin to reduce the noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc. The end of the pin and/or the locking disc may also include an insulating material to further reduce any remaining noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Joshua Guerra