Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Sergio Trimboli

Thorsten Wilhelm Hestermeyer

Joseph M Raad

Jens Dornhege

Ronny Hause

Rudolf Quis

A steering assist system for a vehicle comprises a steering assist module configured to determine a baseline assistance force to be applied to a steering system of the vehicle, and a transient disturbance compensation module configured to determine a transient compensation force to compensate for transient conditions that urge the vehicle to deviate from a straight path. The transient compensation force is based at least partially on the determined baseline assistance force. The system also includes a steady-state disturbance compensation module configured to determine a steady-state compensation force to compensate for steady-state conditions that urge the vehicle to deviate from the straight path, the steady-state compensation force being based at least partially on the determined baseline assistance force. Methods relate to controlling steering systems.

Steering assist system and related methods

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting steering wheel contact by a user. A test signal may be transmitted to a power assisted steering system of a vehicle, where the test signal may apply torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle. A torque sensor may then receive measurements signals indicative of steering wheel torque. The torque indicated by the measurement signals may be compared to an expected torque. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the user is in contact with the steering wheel.

Method and system for detecting steering wheel contact

A steering system is provided to support a straight running of a vehicle. The steering system included an active steering assistance system, a support torque section, and a correction section. The support torque section is configured to calculate a supporting torque based on a steering torque applied to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The correction section is configured to calculate a correcting torque on a basis of a progressively calculated supporting torque. The active steering assistance is configured to be controlled on the basis of a control torque based upon a superimposition of the supporting torque with the correcting torque.

Steering systems and methods for supporting the straight running of a vehicle

A steering system to control a directional stability of a vehicle may include an active power steering assistance system, a sensor to detect vehicle dynamics data of the vehicle, a sensor to detect a torque of a steering system of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a torque value based on the vehicle dynamics data, calculate a torque component based on a difference between the torque value and the torque of the steering system, calculate a preliminary compensation torque on a basis of the torque component, calculate a final compensation torque by adding the preliminary compensation torque and the torque value, and actuate the active power steering assistance system based upon the final compensation torque. Systems and methods for controlling directional stability of a vehicle may compensate for short-term pull/drift and long-term pull/drift.

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Cologne, Germany

Sergio Trimboli