Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The assembly also includes a lower jacket operatively coupled to the upper jacket, the upper and lower jackets telescopingly movable relative to each other in an automated manner, the upper and lower jackets moveable in a rake direction over a first range of rake positions and over a second range of rake positions that is outside the first range of rake positions. The assembly further includes a clamp load controlling component in contact with the lower jacket to apply a first clamp load on a jacket interface between the upper and lower jackets while the lower jacket is within the first range of rake positions, the clamp load controlling component applying a lower clamp load on the jacket interface while the lower jacket is in the second range of rake positions.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a motor control system includes a first controller computing a first torque command using a first closed loop. The motor control system further includes a second controller computing a second torque command using a second closed loop. Both, the first controller and the second controller, compute the respective first torque command and the second torque command using a uniform calculation in which a pseudo/leaky integrator Ki s + ? in s domain (s is Laplace variable) is used and integrator state is calculated as Ki*?0te(?)exp(????t)d?, in time domain, which is implemented by discretization methods in electric control unit (ECU), where e is a tracking error, Ki is a predetermined integral parameter, and ? is a configurable parameter. The motor control system further includes a motor that receives a torque command for generating corresponding amount of torque based on the first torque command and the second torque command.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic pole piece includes molding a magnetic body having an outer wall and an inner wall extending between a first end and a second end, and a trim cap disposed at the first end. The method further includes fixing a non-magnetic isolator to the magnetic body between the outer wall and the inner wall and removing the trim cap.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electric power steering assembly includes providing a shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The method further includes extruding or drawing the shaft through a die to define a spline that extends between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The spline includes a first tooth having a first tip. The method still further includes applying a sleeve over a portion of the spline, such that the sleeve extends from the second shaft end towards the first shaft end.

Abstract: A steering system includes a tie rod and an actuator assembly. The tie rod is movably disposed within a tie rod housing. The actuator assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends from an actuator. The second member has a second member first end operatively connected to the first member and a second member second end operatively connected to the tie rod. The second member first end is arranged to translate the tie rod along a first axis responsive to the actuator moving the second member first end relative to a second axis.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the technical solutions described herein, an example method includes determining an input voltage (Vinv) of an inverter in a power circuit. The method further includes measuring an input current (Ii) of the inverter. The method further includes estimating a power supply current from a power supply of the power circuit based on the input voltage and the input current using a state observer and a plant model of the power circuit, the power supply current estimated at a non-steady state. The method further includes performing an active power management of a motor that receives electric power via the inverter.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for current sensor fault mitigation for systems with permanent magnet DC drives. An example power steering system includes a brush motor, and a motor control system that generates an amount of torque using the brush motor, the amount of torque corresponding to a torque command. The motor control system includes a current sensor fault detector that detects a current sensor fault associated with a current sensor used to measure a current across the brush motor. The motor control system further includes a velocity observer that computes an estimated motor velocity in response to the current sensor fault. The motor control system further includes a feedforward controller that generates a current command for generating the amount of torque using the brush motor, the current command generated using the estimated motor velocity.

Abstract: A steering column assembly that includes an upper jacket, a drive bracket, and an energy absorption assembly. The drive bracket is coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorption assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a first member body extending between a first member first end and a first member second end. The second member has a second member body extending between a second member first end and a second member second end. A receiving area is defined between the first member body and the second member body.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments described herein, a steer by wire steering system includes a pair of actuators, a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position to a roadwheel actuator, which moves a rack of the vehicle to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a controller that generates a handwheel torque command, the handwheel actuator generates a feedback torque based on the handwheel torque command. The controller further computes a tracking error based on a difference between the commanded position and the rack position. The controller further determines a catch motor torque value using the tracking error. The controller further modifies the handwheel torque command using the catch motor torque, the handwheel actuator generates an amount of torque that is substantially a sum of the feedback torque and the catch motor torque.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear rotates about a first axis, and includes a first plurality of teeth and a first surface extending circumferentially and carried by the first plurality of teeth. The first surface is electrically conductive. The second gear rotates about a second axis and is operably connected to the first gear. The second gear includes an electrically conductive element, a second plurality of teeth, and a second surface extending circumferentially and carried by the second plurality of teeth. The second surface is electrically nonconductive. The electrically conductive element includes a plurality of feelers with each feeler projecting radially outward and into a respective tooth of the second plurality of teeth.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are described for facilitating a vision based active steering system. An example steering system includes a handwheel actuator that generates a first feedback torque based on road surface forces at a roadwheel. The steering system further includes a controller that receives, from an image-based system, a control signal indicative of a type of road surface based on an image of the road surface. Further, in response, the controller adjusts one or more parameters of the handwheel actuator to generate a second feedback torque based on the road surface forces at the roadwheel.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for generating and providing a motor torque command in electric systems such as an electric power steering (EPS) system. For example, an example EPS system includes a motor, and a controller that operates the motor to generate torque. The controller determines a torque reference twist based on a torque reference. The controller further determines a motor angle reference twist based on an angle-difference by multiplying the angle-difference by an autonomous mode enable signal. The autonomous mode enable signal is indicative whether the EPS is operating in autonomous mode. The controller further computes a total reference twist based on the torque reference twist and the motor angle reference twist, and computes a motor angle reference based on the total reference twist and a handwheel angle. The controller further generates the motor torque command using the motor angle reference, and sends the motor torque command to the motor.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly, a locking assembly, and an adjustment lever. The jacket assembly extends along a steering column axis and is connected to a support bracket. The locking assembly is movable between a locked position that inhibits movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis and an unlocked position that facilitates movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis. The adjustment lever is arranged to pivot about a lever axis to move the locking assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic pole piece includes molding a magnetic body having an outer wall and an inner wall extending between a first end and a second end, and a trim cap disposed at the first end. The method further includes fixing a non-magnetic isolator to the magnetic body between the outer wall and the inner wall and removing the trim cap.

Abstract: A steer by wire steering system includes a steering wheel selectively coupled to a steering shaft, the steering wheel and steering shaft axially movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; an advanced driver assist system configured to steer the steerable wheels of a vehicle that is in communication with the steering wheel and steering shaft, the ADAS configured to selectively control the steering of the steerable wheels in an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode; and a steering system controller in communication with the ADAS, the steering system controller programmed to, while the steering wheel is in the retracted position, move the steering wheel to the deployed position and operatively couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft, in response to a vehicle operator request to deactivate a portion of the ADAS and transition from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing driver warning using steering systems. An example steering system includes a motor control system that sends a command to a motor. The steering system further includes a fault monitoring system that sets a fault indication flag by monitoring one or more components of the steering system. The steering system further includes a driver warning feedback system that generates a warning injection signal based on and in response to the fault indication flag being set. Further, the motor control system generates a driver feedback by modifying the command to the motor using the warning injection signal, and sending the modified command to the motor.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are described for preventing controller windup in a motion control system. An example system includes a regulator that receives an input command to adjust a motion control variable of a mechanical system that includes a motor, the regulator configured to generate a first torque command based on the input command and an output torque from the motor. The system further includes a motor control module that receives the first torque command to generate an input torque command that is sent to the motor. The system further includes an anti-windup module that is configured to generate an anti-windup command based on the first torque command and the output torque, the anti-windup command being added to the input command that is sent to the regulator.

Abstract: A seal integrity verification system includes a pressure source, a valve, and a pressure sensor. The pressure source is fluidly connected to a housing having at least one sealing member. The valve is fluidly connected to the pressure source and the housing. The valve is movable between a first open position and a closed position. The pressure sensor is arranged to provide a first signal indicative of a pressure within the housing.