Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Zf Lenksysteme Gmbh

Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Gmbh

Peter Brenner

Martin Budaker

Willi Nagel

Uwe Loreit

Wolfgang Abele

Klaus Noder

A computer and function architecture for operating an electrical power-assisted steering system, comprises a control path and a monitoring path that has a diverse design in relation thereto and which are processed basically parallel to each other in each case on two associated cores of a redundant microcomputer, and arithmetic differences that occur within the control path or the monitoring path are detected at the functional level by way of a comparator, and the results of individual computing steps are detected at the granular level by way of a core comparator, and as a result of a detected difference of the comparator at the functional level, a transition is made into an emergency operating mode in the event that the core comparator has not diagnosed an arithmetic error, so as to ensure further availability of at least some of the steering assistance function or of the steering functions over at least a certain time period.

Method for operating an electrical power steering mechanism

An electrically supported power steering system for motor vehicles includes an input shaft, which is mechanically linked to a steering wheel for transmitting a steering torque required for steering of wheels to be steered. An output element is mechanically linked to the wheels to be steered. An electric motor, through which a servo force can be applied directly or indirectly to the output element, is arranged on the power steering system. The input shaft and the output element are connected to one another via a torsion bar. A detection unit for detection of a torque acting on the input shaft and of other steering-specific parameters includes a single pulse generator designed as a magnet ring and at least one magnetoresistive sensor.

Electrically assisted power steering system for motor vehicles

An electrically assisted power steering system for motor vehicles includes an input shaft (,), which is operatively connected to a steering wheel, for transmitting a steering torque required to steer the vehicle wheels that are to be steered. An output member is operatively connected to the wheels to be steered. A servomotor (,), by which an auxiliary force can be exerted on the input shaft (,) or the output member, is disposed in the power steering system. The input shaft (,) and the output member are connected to one another via a torsion bar (,). A detection unit for detecting a steering torque acting on the input shaft (,) includes one magnetic ring (,) each, connected to the input shaft (,) and the output member, and one associated sensor (,) each. Each magnetic ring (,) has the same number of magnetic pole pairs. Each magnetic ring (,) is assigned a sensor (,), structurally connected to the housing, by which both the steering torque and the rotary speed of the input shaft (,) are detected.

Electrically assisted automotive power steering system

Growing community of inventors

Moegglingen, Germany

Peter Brenner