Abstract: A steering system includes a steering column for rotation between at least a center position and a range of second positions and defining a central axis. The steering system also includes an actuator assembly in operative communication with the steering column to provide steering assistance, the actuator assembly comprising a pair of plates, each plate including a first helical track and a second helical track. The steering system further includes a spring element arranged with the actuator assembly to bias movement of one of the pair of plates along the central axis to influence the steering column to move to the center position.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a trunnion extending radially outwardly about a trunnion axis. The joint also includes a ball surrounding the trunnion and rotatable relative thereto about a plurality of needle rollers. The joint further includes a retainer that is a single, unitary structure coupled to the trunnion and positioned to limit movement of the ball and the needle rollers in a direction parallel to the trunnion axis.

Abstract: Technical solutions described herein include a method of controlling, in an electric power steering system, a steering angle according to a target steering angle by computing an initial value of an integral control term in a proportional integral derivative (PID) control loop used to calculate a control output signal, such as a motor torque command. The initial value of the integral control term is computed as a negative of the initial value of the feedforward term minus the initial value of the feedback term. The initial value of the integral control term corresponds to an initial value of a control output. Accordingly, the technical solutions described herein facilitate handling non-zero initial condition in Electric Power Steering angle control.

Abstract: A blending steering control method includes estimating a handwheel pressure applied by an operator to a handwheel and receiving a handwheel torque input indicating a torque value applied by the operator to the handwheel. The method also includes receiving a target handwheel angle indicating a target handwheel angle of an electronic power steering system configured to control a corresponding vehicle along a defined path. The method also includes generating a scaled operator intent value based on the estimated handwheel pressure and the handwheel torque and generating an output torque value based on the target handwheel angle and scaled operator intent value. The method also includes selectively controlling vehicle trajectory based on the output torque value.

Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device. Yet further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Also included is at least one signal indicating whether the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated and the energy absorbing mechanism is in a non-operational state, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is in an operational state.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket, an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket, and a telescope actuator assembly. The telescope actuator assembly includes a jackscrew nut translatable along a lead screw. The telescope actuator assembly includes a telescope drive bracket having a base portion and a pair of arms extending from the base portion, the pair of arms each defining a slot with a respective slot surface, wherein the jackscrew nut is disposed within the slots. The telescope actuator assembly includes a first nut capture plug coupled to one of the pair of arms, the first nut capture plug having at least one tooth disposed within a cavity on a first side of the jackscrew nut to prevent relative rotation between the jackscrew nut and the telescope drive bracket.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: Technical solutions for a motor assembly for an electric power steering system are provided. The motor assembly comprises a motor configured to rotate a motor shaft to apply a drive torque to an output shaft of a steering column. The motor assembly also comprises a circuit card assembly including a torque and angle sensor disposed upon a printed circuit board and configured to measure a differential angle between rotational positions of the output shaft and an input shaft. The printed circuit board of the circuit card assembly is disposed perpendicular to a rotational axis of the steering column. The motor assembly also comprises an enclosure coupled to the motor and containing the circuit card assembly and a worm shaft coupled to rotate with the motor shaft and having a worm disposed helically thereabout for driving a worm gear coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a rotor core for an electric motor comprising permanent magnets wherein the rotor core comprises lobes of the core material that magnets may be attached to.

Abstract: A programmable or configurable non-contact solid state switch device and method are provided for emulating a high reliability switch. The switch device senses position information related to a switch and is calibrated using a learning operation to learn position information of mechanical features of the switch and to map the positions of these features. Electrical outputs or functions are assigned to the mapped positions and stored such that the switch device generates the outputs when their corresponding positions are sensed. A switch device is uniquely configured to the mechanical system in which it operates.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for attenuating dither noise in a steering system. An example method includes computing a torque command based on an input torque, and generating a current command corresponding to the torque command. Further, the method includes determining an adjustment parameter based on a plurality of steering system signals. Further, the method includes reducing dither noise of the steering system by dynamically modifying a controller parameter value using the adjustment parameter. Further, the method includes generating a voltage command using the current command and the modified controller parameter value, the voltage command used to generate torque by a motor.

Abstract: A permanent magnet machine includes a machine housing and a stator disposed within the machine housing. The machine housing has an inner surface that extends between a first housing end and a second housing end along a central longitudinal axis. The stator has a stator core having an exterior surface and an interior surface, each extending between a first face and a second face along the central longitudinal axis. The stator core defines a plurality of openings that extend from the first face towards the second face.

Abstract: A configurable diagnostic data monitor that captures diagnostic data of a motor control system is provided. Triggers, and records generated using the triggers, are configurable using, for example, different parameters or logical operators. Triggers buffer data that can be made part of a record when a trigger condition is met. Memory used by a trigger and memory usage for records is monitored and notifications generated indicating memory required for a trigger. Configuration of a trigger can involve customized priority relative to other triggers, adjustable data parameters, a persistence parameter, and configurable saved data capture for rate and duration.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic power steering system may include receiving, at an electronic power steering controller, at least one signal from at least one sensor and generating, by the electronic power steering controller using the at least one signal, a first autonomous steering command. The method may also include receiving, from a domain controller at the electronic power steering controller, a second autonomous steering command and comparing, by the electronic power steering controller, the first autonomous steering command and the second autonomous steering command. The method may also include selectively controlling, by the electronic power steering controller, the electronic power steering system using one of the first autonomous steering command and the second autonomous steering command, based on the comparison of the first autonomous steering command and the second autonomous steering command.

Abstract: An electric power steering assembly for a steering column includes a lower assist shaft defining a first bore. The assembly also includes a needle bearing at least partially disposed within the first bore. The assembly further includes an upper assist shaft assembly defining a second bore and having a journal surface at an end thereof. The assembly yet further includes a torsion bar having a first end disposed in the first bore and a second end disposed in the second bore, the torsion bar having a torsion bar run-out that forces the journal surface to remain in contact with an inner surface of the needle bearing.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine craft includes a steering input shaft. The steering system also includes an electric power steering (EPS) system operatively coupled to the steering input shaft, the EPS system having an electric motor that drives rotation of a system output shaft. The steering system further includes a hydraulic pump operatively coupled to the system output shaft with a gear set, the hydraulic pump having a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to a steering input shaft axis. The steering system yet further includes a fluid reservoir located remotely relative to the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a motor control system that provides torque ripple compensation includes a current regulator that receives a first current command corresponding to an input torque command. The current regulator further generates a first voltage command based on the first current command using a first transformation matrix. The current regulator further receives a second current command corresponding to a torque ripple to be compensated. The current regulator further generates a second voltage command based on the second current command using a second transformation matrix. The current regulator further computes a final voltage command using the first voltage command and the second current command, the final voltage command being applied to a motor.

Abstract: A motor control system is configured to: determine a current supply limit for an electric motor; receive a current supply of the electric motor; identify one or more motor commands; adjust the one or more motor commands in response to a determination that the current supply is greater than the current supply limit; and selectively control the electric motor using the adjusted one or more motor commands.

Abstract: A method for damping dependent scaling for reducing wheel imbalance in a steering system includes determining roadwheel speed energy using a roadwheel speed signal and determining that the roadwheel speed energy is greater than a predetermined energy threshold, and in response: adjusting the roadwheel speed signal; and computing a wheel imbalance reduction command using the adjusted roadwheel speed signal. The method also includes determining that the roadwheel speed energy is not greater than the predetermined energy threshold, and in response computing the wheel imbalance reduction command using the roadwheel speed signal. The method also includes computing a motor torque command using the wheel imbalance reduction command, the motor torque command used to generate a corresponding amount of torque at a handwheel.

Abstract: A steering assembly including an electric motor, and a motor shaft coupled to and extending from the electric motor to an end. The motor shaft is rotatable about a motor shaft axis by the motor. The steering assembly further includes a friction pad at the end of the motor shaft, where the friction pad has a coefficient of friction configured to resist rotation of the motor shaft.