Patents by Inventor Oliver Nehls

Oliver Nehls has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11760407
    Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
  • Publication number: 20230174149
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a land vehicle, having a steering wheel, a feedback actuator, a detection device equipped to detect a driver's intention to enter the vehicle and/or a driver's intention to exit the vehicle, and an electronic control system, which, following detection of the intention to enter the vehicle and/or the intention to exit the vehicle controls the feedback actuator to hold the steering wheel in a predetermined rotational position by generating a holding torque. When an actuating torque which exceeds the holding torque is applied manually to the steering wheel and the steering wheel is rotated out of the predetermined rotational position, the electronic control system continuously approximates a turning angle of the predetermined rotational position to a turning angle of a current rotational position of the steering wheel using a specified time-based adjustment function based on a difference between the actuating torque and the holding torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Jan Bremkens, Alexander Ein Waldt
  • Patent number: 11440586
    Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
  • Publication number: 20220089211
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to improve electronic power assisted steering in a vehicle. An example apparatus includes memory and a processor to execute instructions to determine a steering column torque associated with a steering column of an electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) system in a vehicle, determine a steering column torque derivative based on a derivative of the steering column torque, determine a compliance compensation torque based on the steering column torque and the steering column torque derivative, and adjust a steering response of the steering column based on the compliance compensation torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Anand Pradip Naik, Darrel Alan Recker, Oliver Nehls
  • Publication number: 20220073128
    Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
  • Patent number: 11214296
    Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
  • Patent number: 11155296
    Abstract: A system for correcting a steering offset generated by an active steering system of a vehicle includes a vehicle comprising a pair of steered road wheels. The system also includes a controller configured to direct a change to an angle of the steered road wheels when a determined steering state of the vehicle is a steering slowly state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio Codonesu, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Jitendra Shah
  • Patent number: 10814907
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a learned clear vision offset based on a currently calculated clear vision offset and a previously stored clear vision offset, and steer a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle while correcting a steering angle by a lesser value of the learned clear vision offset and a maximum correctable offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Anand Pradip Naik, Steven R. El Aile, Oliver Nehls
  • Publication number: 20200114953
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a learned clear vision offset based on a currently calculated clear vision offset and a previously stored clear vision offset, and steer a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle while correcting a steering angle by a lesser value of the learned clear vision offset and a maximum correctable offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anand Pradip Naik, Steven R. El Aile, Oliver Nehls
  • Patent number: 10594248
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing and/or calibrating an adaptive steering system are disclosed. One method may include rotating a hub that is configured to engage a steering shaft over a predetermined range of hub angles using a gear and an internal electric motor in response to a control signal. A torque required to rotate the hub as a function of the hub angles may be determined, as well as whether the torque is within a predefined torque window. The method may be used to analyze the overall friction in the adaptive steering wheel assembly. In one embodiment, the method may be performed with the steering wheel assembly fully assembled and the internal electric motor covered and inaccessible. The torque may be determined by calculating the torque based on a current draw of the internal electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Timothy Cannon, Cornelius MacFarland, Joseph Park
  • Patent number: 10501112
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an adaptive front steering system including an assist motor that provides an overlay angle superimposed on a steering wheel angle. External torque to the assist motor is estimated by a controller and evaluated to determine whether it is the result of an external disturbance. If so, the controller evaluates whether the external disturbance is a road disturbance, such as by determining that road wheel speed varied from the vehicle speed or that an impact site is present in outputs of external sensors of the vehicle. If a road disturbance is determined to have occurred, compliance may be introduced in order to reduce the transmission of torque to the steering wheel. Compliance may be introduced by adjusting current to the assist motor, a target angle to the assist motor, reducing gain in the control system for the assist motor, or shorting leads of the assist motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Park, Jan Bremkens, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
  • Publication number: 20190367074
    Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
  • Patent number: 10486645
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Nehls, Joshua Guerra, Jeremy Alan Rawlings, Lodewijk Wijffels
  • Patent number: 10435063
    Abstract: A method for detecting steering misalignments in an adaptive steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptive steering system has a steering wheel angle sensor for detecting a value representative of a steering wheel angle, an adaptive angle unit for detecting a value representative of an adaptive angle, and a wheel angle detection unit for detecting a value representative of a wheel angle. The method including detecting a value representative of the steering wheel angle, detecting a value representative of the adaptive angle, detecting or determining a value representative of the wheel angle, and computing a comparison value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Attila Benak, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, Oliver Nehls, Jeremy Alan Rawlings
  • Publication number: 20190276074
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that adjust for steering kickback. A disclosed example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to control a torque of a motor operatively coupled to a steering wheel based on detected driver input. The vehicle controller is also configured to adjust the torque of the motor to vary an amount of steering kickback transferred to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Garrett Tietz, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Timothy Cannon, Cornelius MacFarland
  • Patent number: 10252697
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Emad Abdelrahman, Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
  • Patent number: 10232873
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a steering wheel angle relative to a first universal joint, a second sensor to measure a pinion angle relative to a second universal joint, and a third sensor to measure a torque relative to a torsion bar. The apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to determine a non-uniformity angle associated with a steering column, the non-uniformity angle based on the torque and comparing the steering wheel angle to the pinion angle, map the non-uniformity angle to a first position of the steering column, and determine an offset to adjust a steering response based on the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell, Cornelius Macfarland, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
  • Patent number: 10106190
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining kinetic friction in electromechanical steering actuators are disclosed herein. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a steering controller. In some examples, the steering controller is to apply an input torque to a steering system via a motor. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine an angular acceleration of the steering system in response to the input torque. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a response torque based on the angular acceleration. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a friction torque of the steering system based on the input torque and the response torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Bremkens, Oliver Nehls, Joseph Park, Lodewijk Wijffels, Cornelius Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20180281844
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a steering wheel angle relative to a first universal joint, a second sensor to measure a pinion angle relative to a second universal joint, and a third sensor to measure a torque relative to a torsion bar. The apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to determine a non-uniformity angle associated with a steering column, the non-uniformity angle based on the torque and comparing the steering wheel angle to the pinion angle, map the non-uniformity angle to a first position of the steering column, and determine an offset to adjust a steering response based on the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell, Cornelius Macfarland, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
  • Publication number: 20180273092
    Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner