Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering wheel actuator for moving and detecting movements of a steering wheel of the vehicle. The steering wheel actuator includes a steering wheel electric motor. The steer-by-wire steering system further includes an axle actuator for moving and detecting movements of wheels of an axle of the vehicle. The axle actuator includes an axle electric motor and an axle control unit. The steer-by-wire steering system an equivalent circuit, which measures a current induced by the steering wheel electric motor and provides the axle control unit with at least one measurement value depending on the induced current for controlling the axle electric motor.

Abstract: A turning angle detecting device includes: a first storage unit configured to store a turning angle neutral point correction value being a difference between a median of the turning angles at respective limits in right and left steering and the turning angle in a straight traveling state; a second storage unit configured to store an initial position of a movable portion of an actuator of a wheel turning mechanism in the straight traveling state; a first turning angle calculating unit configured to calculate a first turning angle with respect to the median of the turning angles at the respective limits based on a detection value of a position of the movable portion; and a second turning angle calculating unit configured to calculate a second turning angle based on the detection value, the turning angle neutral point correction value, the initial position and the first turning angle.

Abstract: The steering system includes: a first steering device to-steer left and right wheels in a mechanically associated manner by changing an angle of left and right chassis frame components; and a second steering device to drive a supplementary turning actuator to change angles of the wheels relative to the chassis frame components. The second steering device includes a supplementary turning control section to perform a control to cause turning by a steering angle that is a difference between a steering angle determined by a numerical model of vehicle motion on the basis of the steering command angle and the vehicle velocity and an actual steering angle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes: actuators, respectively provided for wheels, for changing toe angles of the wheels; lock devices, respectively provided for the wheels, for restricting changes in the toe angles of the wheels; and a control device for controlling the actuators and the lock devices. For each lock device, the control device at a time performs an individual unlocking operation of unlocking the lock device, and a lock relaxation operation of relaxing a locked state of the lock device.

Abstract: Provided is a steering device which allows continued safe travel in the event of a fault during automatic steering control. The steering device is equipped with an electric drive device composed of a plurality of systems of electric motors and has an assist control function for assisting a driver in steering and an automatic steering control function for automatically controlling the steering angle of steered wheels on the basis of a steering angle instruction value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are control apparatus for electronic parking brake system and control method thereof. The control apparatus for electronic parking brake system and control method includes an inputter configured to receive an abnormal operation signal from an electronic stability control (ESC) system when a vehicle stopping control function is abnormally performed in the ESC system; a determiner configured to determine whether an operation availability signal of an electronic parking brake (EPB) system is input from the EPB system, when the abnormal operation signal is input; and a controller configured to transmit a control command to the EPB system to activate the EPB system and have the EPB system perform a braking operation, when the operation availability signal of the EPB is input.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating handwheel angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle based on road wheel rotational speed data. In one or more examples, the technical solutions are used when the vehicle does not have a sensor to measure the handwheel angle, or if the handwheel angle sensor is faulted and unable to provide data on the actual handwheel angle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor driven power steering (MDPS) system includes detecting, by a controller, a current position of a rack bar; comparing, by the controller, the current position of the rack bar with a preset maximum position of the rack bar; updating, by the controller, the maximum position of the rack bar according to the comparison result; and setting, by the controller, a rack end stop control section using the updated maximum position of the rack bar.

Abstract: To achieve a fail-safe fully utilizing the advantage of plural motors, a second controller performs a one-motor SBW mode when at least one of a first turning controller, a first turning motor and a torque sensor malfunctions in a state where the first turning controller and the second turning controller perform a two-motor SBW mode. Furthermore, the first controller performs a one-motor EPS mode when at least one of the second turning controller and the second turning motor malfunctions in the state where the first turning controller and the second turning controller perform a two-motor SBW mode.

Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a torque detector including an input shaft rotational angle detector and an output shaft rotational angle detector configured to respectively detect rotational angles of an input shaft and an output shaft coupled by a torsion bar arranged in a steering system of a vehicle; an electric motor configured to be controlled based on a torque detection value detected by the torque detector, and to generate a steering assistance force to be exerted on the output shaft; a motor rotational angle detector configured to detect a motor rotational angle of the electric motor; and a noise suppression unit configured to reduce a noise in a signal of the rotational angle of the output shaft detected by the output shaft rotational angle detector, by using the motor rotational angle detected by the motor rotational angle detector.

Abstract: The present description relates to an apparatus and method for fault tolerant trajectory generation of a left-right independent active front steering vehicle that calculates a driving optimal route of a vehicle considering turning radius increase of a vehicle that is generated due to fault management because of a fault generated on any one of steering device between a left or right steering device of a vehicle and turning possible level of a surrounding road.

Abstract: A device for use in a vehicle steering system, said device comprising at least one actuator affixed to a wheel linkage of at least one wheel of said vehicle steering system. The actuator comprises a rotation assembly engagable with a first wheel linkage segment, an electric motor for actuating movement of the rotation assembly via a gear box and one or more sensors integrally contained in the actuator for sensing one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of force, speed, turns and rotation. Rotation of the rotation assembly actuates linear movement of said first wheel linkage segment into and out of said actuator to thereby adjust one or more wheel parameters of said at least one wheel, and wherein said one or more sensors provide real time data to an actuator control unit integral to said actuator to self-adjust rotational parameters of said rotation assembly.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps: a manually applied driver steering moment is detected; a requested superposition moment is detected; the driver steering and superposition moments are combined to form an intermediate moment from which an assistance moment is generated by means of a predefined, non-linear amplification function; starting from detected values of the driver steering and superposition moments, a modified superposition moment compensating for friction in the electric steering system at least in part is determined such that the amount of the modified superposition moment is larger than the amount of the superposition moment at least for some pairs of variates comprised of driver steering and superposition moments; the assistance and modified superposition moments are combined to form a motor moment from which a corresponding input signal for a servo motor is established; the servo motor is controlled with the established input signal to provide the motor moment.

Abstract: Methods for controlling a vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of steerable rear wheels. A steering angle of at least one of the steerable rear wheels is detected. A feed-forward lateral acceleration value is determined based upon the detected steering angle and a scaling factor. Operation of the steerable front wheels and the steerable rear wheels is controlled in response to the feed-forward lateral acceleration value.

Abstract: An automatic steering device for self-propelled straddle carriers for lifting and transporting manufactures, includes a spatial portal structure (1) resting on the ground on a plurality of steering wheel units (4) connected by a fifth wheel (14) to the structure above, where each wheel unit (4) includes two tyred wheels (8, 8?) each of which is associated with its own electric motor unit (10, 10?) independently with respect to the other; each electric motor is supplied by its own vector frequency converter controlled by a control unit provided with a control microprocessor; angular rotation of each wheel unit (4) is measured by an incremental encoder integral with the upper structure and with the fifth wheel (14) and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for controlling a vehicle using an in-wheel system which controls a motor mounted in each wheel of the vehicle independently. More specifically, a control unit is configured to determine a turning mode of the vehicle based on vehicle driving information, calculate a present Ackerman rate of the vehicle based on the determined turning mode, generate a control command based on the present Ackerman rate, and control the motor of each wheel using the control command, independently.

Abstract: A steering device for adjusting a wheel turning angle of a wheel of a motor vehicle, in particular of a rear wheel, includes a wheel guide member via which a wheel carrier of the wheel is connected to a vehicle body, the wheel carrier being swivellable about an axis of rotation disposed parallel to the wheel plane and the wheel guide member being articulated to the wheel carrier at a distance from the axis of rotation and being adjustable in length by an electromechanical drive unit, the electromechanical drive unit being connected, on the one hand, via a push rod to a joint at the wheel carrier end in order to form a swivel bearing to establish a connection to the wheel carrier, and, on the other hand, to a joint at the vehicle body end to form a further swivel bearing to establish a connection to the vehicle body.

Abstract: The method consists of, when the instantaneous speed of the vehicle is greater than a pre-determined threshold: identifying that the vehicle travels in a straight line without torque exerted on the steering wheel; if the prior condition is met, determining an average residual torque for the steering wheel by calculating a sliding scale of measures of torque on the steering wheel; calculating a correction, if the average residual torque on the steering wheel is greater than a pre-determined minimum torque, which is proportional to the average residual torque to be applied to the torque measures on the steering wheel; calculating effective correction limited in terms of the speed of variation and amplitude in relation to the correction applied to the measures of torque on the steering wheel, said corrected measures being subsequently treated by the electronic calculator in order to control the electronic booster motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear wheel toe angle variable control system-equipped vehicle that is capable of assisting the steering of the front wheels by a power steering system mounted therein without deteriorating the steering feeling experienced by the vehicle operator even when the rear wheels have been steered.

Abstract: A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle (12) upon manual rotation of a steering wheel (14) comprises a front steering motor (36) coupled to a front steerable wheel (18) of the vehicle (12) for turning the front steerable wheel. A rear steering motor (66) is coupled to a rear steerable wheel (22) of the vehicle (12) for turning the rear steerable wheel. A position sensor (34) senses a rotational position of the steering wheel (14) and provides an output indicative of said rotational position. A controller (90) receives the output of the position sensor (34) and controls the front and rear steering motors (36, 66) to turn the front steerable wheel (22) in response to the output from the position sensor (34) indicating rotation of the steering wheel (14) in a first portion of a range of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Steering control system for a land vehicle with at least four steered wheels (1AvG, 1AvD, 1ArG, 1ArD), the system comprising one actuator per steered wheel (3AvG, 3AvD, 3ArG, 3ArD). The system comprises a control member (2) available to a driver and delivering a demanded steering angle (?), a steering control unit (4) which, by way of input variable, uses at least the said demanded steering angel (?) to determine a steering control angle for operating the said actuator, and means (5) for detecting a lock-up of one of the steered-wheel actuators, which are capable of delivering an alarm signal identifying an actuator that has locked up.

Abstract: In a power steering device employing a hydraulic power cylinder, a motor-driven pump, and a driving power source for the motor, a power steering control system is configured to electrically connected to at least the motor and the power source for controlling a driving state of the motor and a power source voltage of the power source. The power steering control system includes a motor control circuit that generates a motor driving signal, whose command signal value is determined based on a steering assist force applied through the power cylinder to steered road wheels, a booster circuit that boosts the power source voltage, a motor angular acceleration detection circuit that detects or estimates a motor angular acceleration, and a booster-circuit control circuit that controls, responsively to the motor angular acceleration, switching between operating and non-operating states of the booster circuit.

Abstract: In vehicular driving control apparatus and method, a steering assistance force provided for steerable road wheels of the vehicle in a direction at which a sideslip angle is decreased when a vehicular sideslip angle which is a difference between a forwarding direction of the vehicle and a steering direction of a steering wheel of the vehicle is detected and a vehicular oversteer state is detected, and thereafter, each of road wheels of the vehicle is controlled to decrease the sideslip angle when the steering assistance force is provided in a direction at which the vehicular sideslip angle is decreased and when the sideslip angle is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a control unit for an electric power steering apparatus for accurately detecting an abnormality of a steering angle sensor without forming the steering angle sensor as a double system or using an expensive position detection sensor. The object is achieved by calculating a relative steering angle by using inexpensive position detection sensors disposed at a motor of the electric power steering apparatus to output binary values and comparing a change amount of an absolute steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor and a change amount of the calculated relative steering angle with each other to thereby detect the abnormality of the steering angle sensor.

Abstract: Steering logic for a self-propelled vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of receiving translational velocity and angular velocity commands, determining the resultant velocity and steer angle of each wheel, and determining the wheel offset correction for each wheel based on the scrub radius of each wheel and the angular velocity command.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for steering a vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of operating in a first steering mode and a second steering mode. The vehicle may comprise an input device capable of providing an input signal indicating that operation in the second steering mode is desired. The vehicle may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) capable of providing an enabling signal when the ECU determines that operation in the second steering mode is appropriate for the present riding conditions.

Abstract: An electric assisted steering system for a motor driven road vehicle, having assist torque signal generating means which generates an assist torque signal for the steering system in response to the driver's applied torque and sensed vehicle speed to reduce the driver's steering effort. A yaw rate haptic torque is generated which is based upon vehicle rate error and is arranged to be added to the torque assist signal such that, when the yaw rate error builds up corresponding to increasing steering instability (e.g. understeer or oversteer) of the vehicle, the haptic torque added to the torque assist signal reduces the effective road reaction feedback sensed by the driver in advance of any actual vehicle stability loss whereby to allow the driver to correct appropriately in good time before terminal steering instability is reached.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering apparatus that detects the tire load, and based on the detected tire load, performs steering control which accurately reflects the road conditions. A vehicle steering apparatus of the present invention includes a control unit 14, which controls a steering actuator in accordance with the operation of a steering wheel 1. An operation reaction force generated by a reaction force actuator 9 is applied to the steering wheel. Within the tire W, stress sensors SL and SR and an air pressure sensor SP are provided. The control unit 14 controls the steering actuator 2 and the reaction force actuator 9 with referring to the tire load detected by these sensors.

Abstract: An electric assisted steering system for a motor driven road vehicle, having assist torque signal generating means which generates an assist torque signal for the steering system in response to the driver's applied torque and sensed vehicle speed to reduce the driver's steering effort. A yaw rate haptic torque is generated which is based upon vehicle rate error and is arranged to be added to the torque assist signal such that, when the yaw rate error builds up corresponding to increasing steering instability (e.g. understeer or oversteer) of the vehicle, the haptic torque added to the torque assist signal reduces the effective road reaction feedback sensed by the driver in advance of any actual vehicle stability loss whereby to allow the driver to correct appropriately in good time before terminal steering instability is reached.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering apparatus for a vehicle has a first control system including a first ECU, and a second control system including a second ECU. Each ECU responds to manipulation of the steering wheel by a driver, and controls a steering motor. The first ECU determines whether the second control system is malfunctioning, and the second ECU determines whether the first system is malfunctioning. When any of the system is malfunctioning, the ECU of normally functioning system controls a counter force motor such that steering wheel receives a counter force that is different from that when both systems are functioning normally. Accordingly, the steering apparatus is capable of speedily and reliably causing a driver to realize a malfunction in the steering apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assisting the driver of a vehicle (10) when performing a driving maneuver, such as a parking or shunting maneuver. In this case, a reference trajectory (16) is determined, along which the vehicle (10) is to be moved. A steering wheel position to be set and controlling the vehicle along the reference trajectory (16) is indicated to the driver during the driving maneuver. The vehicle longitudinal speed is influenced independently of the driver in the event of a steering angle deviation between the actual steering angle actually set by the driver and the desired steering angle corresponding to the requested steering wheel position. As a result, the driver can be given a greater reaction time in order to set the indicated steering wheel position.

Abstract: An improved system for achieving optimum steering angles for wheels incorporates a sensor which senses the steering angle of a first wheel. The sensed angle is sent to a control which then determines the optimum angle for the other steered wheel based upon known formulas. The optimum angle is determined, and an adjustment structure associated with the tie rod then drives the second wheel to achieve the optimum steered angle.

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle having first and second sets (14 and 16) of steerable wheels comprises a first steering gear (22) actuatable, in response to rotation of a handwheel (110), to effect turning of the first set (14) of steerable wheels. The steering apparatus (10) also comprises second and third steering gears (24 and 26), each of which is independently actuatable to effect turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels and thereby providing redundancy for turning of the second set (16) of steerable wheels. A sensor (112) senses a steering position of the first set (14) of steerable wheels and provides a steering signal indicative of the sensed steering position. A controller (114) receives the steering signal and, in response to the steering signal, controls actuation of the second and third steering gears (24 and 26).

Abstract: A steering system selectively operable in one of six modes: steer-by-wire with rear steering, steer-by-wire without rear steering, electronic power assist steering (EPAS) with rear steering, electronic power steering (EPAS) without rear steering, mechanical backup manual steering with rear steering, and mechanical backup manual steering without rear steering. The steer-by-wire system includes a driver interface system (DIS), a front road wheel actuator system (FRWAS), a rear road wheel actuator system (RRWAS), and a controller for monitoring and implementing the preferred control strategy. The steering system operates normally in a steer-by-wire mode. In each of the EPAS mode and manual mode, the controller causes a clutch mechanism to engage, thus creating a mechanical linkage between the steerable member and the rack and pinion system while maintaining rear wheel assisted steering.

Abstract: A steering device for an electric car includes tandem wheel suspensions for at least two sets of tandem wheels and a steering mechanism for each set of tandem wheels and provides a smooth turning motion. The steering mechanism for one tandem set of wheels is formed by a mechanical connection to a steering wheel and the steering mechanism for the second set of tandem wheels is driven by motors.

Abstract: A hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle includes two subsystems. The first subsystem connects a steering wheel with a mechanical link adapted to turn a first wheel of the vehicle. The second subsystem has an electro-mechanical actuator adapted to turn a second wheel of the vehicle. An electronic controller adapted to receive information indicative of the positions of the steering wheel and the first wheel controls the electro-mechanical actuator to thereby control the position of the second wheel.

Abstract: A modular motor and controller assembly for a rear steering system of a motor vehicle includes a motor portion and a controller portion disposed in direct mechanical communication therewith to form a unitary package. The motor portion may include a motor and a motor port, the motor port being configured to provide a communicational interface between the motor and the controller portion. The controller portion may include a controller port configured to be matingly engaged with the motor port. Electronic communication is generally maintained through the controller port and the motor port through a pronged connector.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering angle control apparatus is provided with a rear wheel steering angle determining unit and a rear wheel steering mechanism so as to determine a steering angle ratio based upon vehicle speed and perform a rear wheel steering angle control. An alerting unit alerts that the output of the rear wheel steering mechanism is beyond a predetermined allowable range when an observing unit detects a control condition being abnormal and releases the alert when the output of the rear wheel steering mechanism is within the predetermined allowable range.

Abstract: An arrangement for the suspension of a wheel of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The wheel is connected to a propulsion device for driving the vehicle and a braking device for braking each individual wheel. The invention has sensors for detecting at least the angular steering displacement of the vehicle required by the vehicle driver, two steering link arms fitted between said body and attachment points in the wheel, positioned on both sides of an imaginary vertical line running through the center of the wheel, and a control unit for processing signals from the sensors and for actuating the steering link arms for adjustment of the wheel in response to the signals and the current operating state of the vehicle. Through the invention, an improved, integrated wheel suspension unit for automotive vehicles is provided, particularly allowing dynamic wheel alignment adjustment and adjustment of the angular steering displacement of each individual wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: To keep low the cross frequency of current feedback control and provide a good steering feeling, a first operation expression is selected when a difference &xgr; between a current instruction value computed based on a steering state of a steering wheel and a traveling state of a vehicle and a motor drive current value supplied from a battery to a motor for providing assist force to a system for transmitting power from the steering wheel to the wheels is larger than a predetermined value Th1, a second operation expression is selected when the difference &xgr; is smaller than the predetermined value Th1, and the difference &xgr; is corrected using the selected operation expression.

Abstract: A method for detecting an erroneous travel direction or a defective yaw rate sensor 12 is disclosed. Two estimates of the vehicle yaw rate are gathered from separate criteria and are compared with one another as well as the measured vehicle yaw rate. Using these comparisons along with other information regarding vehicle travel, a conclusion of whether a travel direction signal is erroneous is made. This determination can then be used to modify the vehicle's brake control strategy.

Abstract: An electric power steering control system reducing steering torque without making a driver feel uncomfortable torque oscillation, including a rotation speed observer for estimating the rotation speed of a motor based on the output of a torque sensor high pass filter (HPF) and the output of a drive current HPF obtained by removing a steering frequency component from a drive current detection value.

Abstract: In a front and rear wheel steering system for steering rear wheels of a vehicle at a certain ratio to front wheels of the vehicle, the rear wheel steering angle is determined according to the steering input and/or the operating conditions of the vehicle, additionally, taking into account the kind of the particular tires that are being used. In particular, it is advantageous to distinguish between normal tires and studless tires as they demonstrate significantly different properties. The kind of tires can be identified either by computing the frictional coefficient of the road surface or by a manual switch. Thus, the handling of the vehicle can be kept unchanged without regard to the kind of the tires that are being used.

Abstract: A controllable slide car for controllably simulating oversteer and understeer conditions in a moving automobile. The controllable slide car comprises a rear steering linkage assembly that attaches to the rear wheel mounting assemblies of an automobile and a controller for controllably steering the rear steering linkage assembly. The controller is powered by the battery of the automobile and manually controlled by a control unit to steer the rear wheel mounting assemblies.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a front and rear wheel steering system in which front wheels of a vehicle are steered according to a combination of a steering wheel input and an output from a compensatory front wheel steering actuator, and rear wheels of the vehicle are steered by a rear wheel steering actuator. The front wheel steering angle is augmented according to the deviation of the actual yaw rate from a target yaw rate computed from the travelling speed of the vehicle and the steering input from the steering wheel to compensate for the delay in the yaw rate response so that the rear end of the vehicle would not be swung sideways during a turning maneuver, and the vehicle operator would not be subjected to any unfamiliar feeling.

Abstract: A process for steering a road vehicle having all wheel steering for placing the vehicle into, within, and out of constricted spaces and small, constricted travel areas, the vehicle having a front, a rear, a longitudinal axis, front wheels steerable rear wheels, the all wheel steering being proportional between the front and rear wheels for turning the vehicle about a turning radius, apparatus for determining the distance of the vehicle from an obstacle, and apparatus for restricting or disabling the steerability of the rear wheels in response to the proximity of the obstacle, by driving the vehicle to the proximity of the obstacle, determining the distance of the vehicle from a location on the obstacle when the vehicle approaches the obstacle closer than by a predetermined distance, determining the relative angle of the longitudinal axis to the location on the obstacle, and adjusting the steering of the rear wheels in response to changes in the angular position to move the vehicle along the obstacle without t