Patents by Inventor Sergio Codonesu

Sergio Codonesu 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 10214238
    Abstract: A vehicle implements a steering anti-catch (SAC) algorithm that reduces a superimposition angle added to the steering wheel angle in order to reduce occurrence of steering catch. The superimposition angle may be determined according to an AFS system. The reduction of the superimposition angle according to the SAC algorithm is amplified when the driver is steering away from a center position, the vehicle speed is below a threshold, and a voltage for powering the power steering system is below a threshold. The amount by which the superimposition angle is reduced may be limited to a maximum reduction and may be subject to a limit in its rate of change as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Timothy Cannon, Cornelius Macfarland, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell
  • 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: 20180265124
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio CODONESU, Oliver NEHLS, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Jitendra SHAH
  • Patent number: 10065675
    Abstract: A system for correcting a steering offset generated by an active steering system of a vehicle may include a steering wheel angle sensor and a controller configured to receive a signal from the steering wheel angle sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a steering state based on the signal, and, subject to the determined steering state, calculate an offset reduction factor based on the signal to determine a new steering offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio Codonesu, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Jitendra Shah
  • Publication number: 20180134310
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Attila Benak, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, Oliver Nehls, Jeremy Alan Rawlings
  • Publication number: 20180127025
    Abstract: A vehicle implements a steering anti-catch (SAC) algorithm that reduces a superimposition angle added to the steering wheel angle in order to reduce occurrence of steering catch. The superimposition angle may be determined according to an AFS system. The reduction of the superimposition angle according to the SAC algorithm is amplified when the driver is steering away from a center position, the vehicle speed is below a threshold, and a voltage for powering the power steering system is below a threshold. The amount by which the superimposition angle is reduced may be limited to a maximum reduction and may be subject to a limit in its rate of change as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Timothy Cannon, Cornelius Macfarland, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell
  • Patent number: 9845108
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Joseph Park, Timothy Cannon, Sergio Codonesu, Jan Bremkens
  • Patent number: 9731761
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel and at least one road wheel. The steering wheel is rotatably connected to a steering-wheel actuator, and the at least one road wheel is movably connected to a steering system. A controller is in communication with the steering system and the steering-wheel actuator. The controller is programmed to determine a steering-wheel angle based on a road-wheel angle, an operation mode, and a steering-compensation type; and to instruct the steering-wheel actuator to rotate the steering wheel according to the steering-wheel angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Park, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu
  • Publication number: 20170113714
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua GUERRA, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Oliver NEHLS, Joseph PARK, Timothy CANNON, Sergio CODONESU, Jan BREMKENS
  • Patent number: 9550519
    Abstract: A method for operating an active steering system of a vehicle, in which a ratio between a wheel steer angle and a steering wheel angle specified by the driver can be modified by superimposition of a superimposition angle. The method comprises detecting an offset between a requested motor angle and an actual motor angle, and reducing the offset between the requested motor angle and the actual motor angle using a reduction rate that is selected as a function of at least one input variable specified by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jitendra Shah, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu
  • Patent number: 9403480
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing feedback in the event of a lane deviation of a vehicle having a power steering system. Vehicle data, such as speed, a steering angle, and the like, may be acquired (e.g., from a sensor system of the vehicle). An activation signal may be generated based on the acquired data. A haptic warning may then be generated using the power steering system of the vehicle based on the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Faeuster, Erik Jürgen Stumpf, Attila Benak, Andrew Brown, Sergio Codonesu, Karl-Peter Hesseler, Jan Bremkens