Abstract: A control system for an electric motor comprises a controller which receives as an input a demanded motor current and produces at an output an intermediate voltage demand signal, a voltage demand signal correction means arranged to generate a voltage demand correction signal, and a combining means arranged to combine the intermediate voltage demand signal and the voltage demand correction signal to produce an actual voltage demand signal that is applied to the motor by pulse width modulation of the switches of a motor bridge driver. The correction signal compensates for unwanted non-linearities caused by interlock delays in the switching of the motor bridge switches.

Abstract: A steering column assembly shroud includes a first member having an end portion which is received within a second member having at least one slit through its wall extending partially along its length. A guide bush is located between the first member and the second member and fixed relative to one of the members. The guide bush provides a surface over which the other member can slide to alter the overall length of the shroud. A clamp mechanism squeezes the second member onto the guide bush which is, in turn, squeezed onto the first member. The cross section of the guide bush varies along its length to vary the resistance it provides to crushing by the action of the clamp mechanism when the shroud is at its greatest length and the resistance it provides when the shroud is clamped at its shortest length.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) includes a housing (12) that has a side wall (18) that defines an air flow passage (24). A valve element (14) has a closed condition that prevents air flow through the air flow passage (24) and an open condition that permits air flow through the air flow passage (24). A first insert (120) is connected to the valve element (14). A second insert (130) is connected to the side wall (18). The first insert (120) and the second insert (130) cooperate using magnetic forces to urge the valve element (14) to the closed condition. At least one of the first insert (120) and the second insert (130) is positioned within the air flow passage (24).

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a steering system comprises the steps of repeatedly measuring the angular position of a steering wheel, identifying from the measurements of steering wheel position a first moment in time at which the steering wheel comes to rest in an off center position following movement in a first direction away from a straight ahead position, measuring the torque applied to the steering system at that first moment in time, identifying from the measurements of steering wheel position a second moment in time at which the steering wheel first starts to moves away from the off center position in the opposite direction to the first direction, measuring the torque applied to the steering system at that second moment in time, calculating the difference between the measured torques at the first moment of time and second moment of time to provide a static friction value and comparing the calculated static friction value with a target static friction value to provide an indication of the con

Abstract: An active antenna array is arranged to activate subsets of switchable elements causing the antenna to form a first beam having a first beam pattern, and later to form a second beam having a second beam pattern of substantially identical far field radiation pattern to the first beam pattern but with different origins. A receiver receives radiation reflected from a target back to the antenna when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern and then when configured with the second beam pattern, and compares the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern with the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the second beam pattern to provide a phase difference signal. A target locating means determines the angular location of the target from the phase difference signal.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for all electric power steering apparatus comprises an input shaft which carries a worm gear and is supported relative to the housing at one end by a first bearing assembly and at the other by a second bearing assembly, an output shaft which carries a wheel gear which is fixed relative to a housing and which meshes with a worm gear on the input shaft, and a spring assembly which acts between the housing and the first bearing assembly, and the spring assembly applying a biasing force onto the second bearing in a first direction away from the neutral position so as to ensure that the worm and wheel are fully engaged.

Abstract: A support bracket assembly for a steering column assembly comprises a first bracket part, a second bracket part which is fixed to the vehicle by at least one fastener, and at least one capsule which comprises a main body fixed to the first bracket part by a frangible connector. The main body of the capsule is fixed to the second bracket part by the at least one fastener. The main body includes at least one opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the first bracket part and the two aligned openings are filled with a frangible material that forms part of the frangible connector which secures the capsule to the first bracket part. A further opening is provided in the second bracket part which is coaxial with an opening in the capsule and filled with additional frangible material which forms a frangible connection between the capsule and the second bracket part.

Abstract: A vehicle length sensor for a vehicle such as a variable length truck, the sensor being provided with a mount for mounting the sensor on a vehicle and being arranged with a detection circuit arranged to measure, in use, a length of a vehicle to which the sensor is mounted. Typically, the detection circuit comprises a transmitter circuit, which is arranged to transmit radiation along the length of the vehicle, and a receiver circuit that is arranged to receive radiation that was transmitted by the transmitter circuit and reflected from the vehicle, and in which the detection circuit is arranged to determine from the reflected radiation the length of the vehicle. The sensor may also act as a lane change assistant, comparing the range of other vehicles to the length of the vehicle to which it is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes a steering member (12) which is linearly movable relative to the vehicle to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels. A pinion (28) is disposed in meshing engagement with a rack portion (30) of the steering member (12). A steering column (22) is connected with the pinion (28) and with a vehicle steering wheel (20) such that rotation of the steering wheel results in linear movement of the steering member. An electrically powered steering unit (40) is connected to the steering member (12) for providing steering feel to the operator. A hydraulic power steering motor (60) mechanically connected to the steering member provides steering assist to the steerable wheels (14, 16).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bonding an electrical circuit component onto a substrate. A first electrically conductive bonding pad is formed on the component, and a second electrically conductive bonding pad is formed on the substrate. One of said first and second bonding pads is physically split into at least two parts, with electrical discontinuity between the two parts. An electrically conductive bond is formed between the first and second bonding pads such that electrical continuity is established from one part of the one bonding pad, through the other of the bonding pads, and through the second part of the one bonding pad. The integrity of the electrically conductive bond is evaluated by testing electrical continuity between the at least two parts.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit includes a positive and a negative supply rail for connection to a battery (104), a motor drive circuit including a plurality of motor drive subcircuits which each selectively permit current to flow into or out of a respective phase of a multi-phase motor (101) in response to control signals from a motor control circuit, and a switching means including at least one switch which is in series with a respective phase of the motor which is normally closed to permit the flow of current to and from the subcircuit to the respective motor phase. A fault signal detecting means (160) detects at least one fault condition and, in the event of a fault condition being detected, causes the at least one switch to open. A snubber circuit (150) is associated with the motor and is arranged so that following the opening of the switch, energy stored in the motor windings is diverted away from the switching means through the snubber circuit to the battery.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an AC electric motor which comprises a rotor and a stator and a plurality of phase windings connected in a star formation, each winding having one end connected to a common neutral point and another end arranged to have a terminal voltage applied to it. The control system comprises switching means arranged to control the terminal voltages applied to the windings and control means arranged to control the switching means so as to switch it between a plurality of states in each of a sequence of PWM periods. The control means is further arranged to measure the voltage at the neutral point at sample times within the PWM periods and to generate from the measured voltages an estimation of the rotational position of the rotor.

Abstract: Pre-alert device (1) for vehicle comprising an access (20) to data making it possible to define a journey, an access (10) to data relating to the pressure of at least one tire of a vehicle provided to make said journey, a test module (30) specially adapted, on the basis of a set of criteria making it possible to detect pre-alert conditions according on the one hand to data relating to pressure and on the other hand to data relating to the defined journey, to generate a pre-alert condition when at least one of the alert triggering conditions is satisfied.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering assembly comprises a gearbox housing (20), an output shaft (23), a wheel gear assembly (22) comprising a hub (21) which is fixed to the output shaft by a locating means so as to prevent relative rotational and axial movement between the hub and the output shaft and a gear wheel fixed to the hub, at least one support bearing assembly (25,26) which supports the output shaft relative to the gearbox housing (20), a worm gear which engages the wheel gear (22), and a coupling for transmission of torque from the output shaft to an intermediate shaft that is external to the gearbox housing. The coupling includes a fixing part (31) which is fixed to the output shaft (23) through the gear assembly and the support bearing assembly is provided on the opposite side of the gear assembly (22) to the coupling (31) such that the gear assembly (22) is overhung from the portion of the output shaft supported by the bearings (25,26).

Abstract: An active antenna array is arranged to activate subsets of switchable elements causing the antenna to form a first beam having a first beam pattern, and later to form a second beam having a second beam pattern of substantially identical far field radiation pattern to the first beam pattern but with different origins. A receiver receives radiation reflected from a target back to the antenna when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern and then when configured with the second beam pattern, and compares the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern with the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the second beam pattern to provide a phase difference signal. A target locating means determines the angular location of the target from the phase difference signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for aiding inflation for a vehicle, comprising access to vehicle tire pressure (10) and temperature (20) data, an under-inflation detection module (50), and an inflation condition testing module (30) making it possible to carry out a test for detecting a possible optimal inflation condition if the following criteria are met:—there is a non-critical under-inflation state for at least one of the vehicle tires;—the tires are not in an overheated state;—and the tire state is unchanged by sunlight. When the test module (30) determines the optimal inflation condition, a signal is outputted. Such a method causes tire inflation to be carried out under favorable conditions actually corresponding to the reference value provided by the manufacturers. The invention also relates to the corresponding device for aiding inflation.

Abstract: Pre-alert device (1) for vehicle comprising an access (20) to data making it possible to define a journey, an access (10) to data relating to the pressure of at least one tyre of a vehicle provided to make said journey, a test module (30) specially adapted, on the basis of a set of criteria making it possible to detect pre-alert conditions according on the one hand to data relating to pressure and on the other hand to data relating to the defined journey, to generate a pre-alert condition when at least one of the alert triggering conditions is satisfied.

Abstract: A self-contained device intended to be carried by a wheel-tire assembly in order to locate whether the assembly is positioned on the right side or on the left side of a vehicle is described. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity, the sensors providing two periodic signals that are phase shifted relative to one another. Each signal is representative of variations in the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the sensor during a revolution of the wheel-tire assembly. The device also includes a processing unit programmed to determine, from the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction in which the wheel-tire assembly is rotating and to deduce, from this direction of rotation and from a direction of travel of the vehicle, whether the wheel-tire assembly is located on the right side or on the left side. The two magnetic sensors are intended to be positioned on the wheel-tire assembly at distinct azimuthal locations.

Abstract: A drive system for a three phase brushless AC motor is arranged to optimize the transistor switching pattern to improve power output whilst allowing current measurement in all of the phases using a single sensor. This is achieved by defining voltage demand vectors x where more than two states are required to meet a minimum state time requirement determined by the single sensor method, and calculating three or more state vectors which produce the demanded vector x whilst still allowing single current sensing. Various methods of optimising the PWM pattern so as to give maximum output whilst using single current sensing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive system for a three phase brushless AC motor that is operative to optimize a transistor switching pattern to improve power output while allowing current measurement in all of the phases using a single sensor. This is achieved by defining a voltage demand vector where more than two states are required to meet a minimum state time requirement determined by the single sensor and calculating three or more state vectors that produce the demand vector while still allowing single current sensing.