Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap assembly operatively coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorbing strap assembly includes a strap having a stationary leg and a moveable leg connected by a curved portion to form a substantially U-shape. The energy absorbing strap assembly also includes a metal pin extending through the stationary leg and the moveable leg.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a water resistant substrate comprises a first step of providing a substrate. The method proceeds with a step of populating at least one component onto the substrate. Next, the method includes a step of cleaning the substrate including the at least one component to form a cleaned substrate. Then, the method proceeds with depositing a multi-layered water resistant coating onto the cleaned substrate.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket. The column assembly also includes a drive bracket movable in a telescope direction, the drive bracket coupled to the column jacket to move the column jacket in the telescope direction. The column assembly further includes a plate operatively coupled to the column jacket and operatively coupled to the drive bracket, the plate defining a slot extending from an open end of the plate. The column assembly yet further includes a tab disposed within the slot to prevent pivoting of the drive bracket.

Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving, from an accelerometer, a plurality of accelerometer measurements and applying a first filter to the plurality of accelerometer measurements to remove accelerometer measurements of the plurality of accelerometer measurements having a frequency above a first threshold frequency. The method also includes applying a second filter to an output of the first filter to remove accelerometer measurements of the output of the first filter having a frequency above a second threshold frequency and applying a third filter to an output of the second filter to generate an accelerometer measurement output having a center frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the vibration of the at least one component of the seat. The method also includes determining an absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output and selectively controlling a motor based on the absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output.

Abstract: An adjustment lever deceleration assembly for a steering column includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component rotating at a speed less than a rotational speed of the adjustment lever during adjustment between the locked position to the unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly further includes an adjustment lever decelerator integrally formed with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever decelerator positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, wherein the adjustment lever deflects and absorbs energy upon contact with the component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a steering shaft assembly includes inserting an inner shaft into an outer shaft along a longitudinal axis. The method further includes placing the inner shaft and the outer shaft into a tool having a staking tool provided with a staking feature; aligning a stake with a base of a tooth of the plurality of fine teeth of the outer shaft; and pressing the stake axially into an outer shaft first end to a predetermined depth using the staking feature.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for controlling operation of an electric machine such as a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive or motor control system to limit battery current and protect a battery from excessive discharging or charging current from the PMSM drive. Systems and methods employ a torque control algorithm for PMSMs that uses a battery current limit constraint when generating current commands during each of a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) operation, and maximum torque per voltage (MTPV) operation. Torque search operations are performed in each of the MTPA and MTPV operation regions in a PMSM drive system until current commands are achieved under a given battery current limit constraint and while maintaining maximum voltage utilization throughout all PMSM operation regions.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a steer by wire steering system includes a handwheel actuator, a roadwheel actuator, and a resynchronization module to dynamically adjust handwheel position that is used for rack position reference calculation. The dynamic adjustment includes determining a desynchronization amount based on a difference in an actual handwheel position and a synchronized handwheel position. The dynamic adjustment further includes computing a handwheel adjustment using the desynchronization amount, a vehicle speed, and a handwheel speed. The dynamic adjustment further includes computing an adjusted handwheel position based on the handwheel adjustment and the actual handwheel position. The dynamic adjustment further includes updating the reference rack position based on the adjusted handwheel position. The dynamic adjustment is continuously repeated until the handwheel adjustment is substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: A method for detecting steering column defects. The method includes applying a voltage to a steering column mounted on a steering column stand, to cause the steering column to perform an adjustment operation. The method also includes receiving, from at least one force sensor, a plurality of force measurements during performance of the adjustment operation. The method also includes determining whether the steering column is operating within predetermined parameters based on the plurality of force measurements. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the steering column is not operating within the predetermined parameters, identifying the steering column as including at least one defect.

Abstract: A lever assembly for a steering column includes a rotatable lock lever. The lever assembly also includes a bolt operatively coupled to the rotatable lock lever and rotated therewith. The lever assembly further includes a clamp load assembly operatively coupled to the bolt. The clamp load assembly includes an assist cam having a cam profile defined by at least one ramp. The clamp load assembly also includes an assist follower having a follower profile in contact with the cam profile. The clamp load assembly further includes an assist spring disposed between the assist follower and a column structure, the assist spring biasing the assist follower into contact with the assist cam.

Abstract: A method for compensating parameter imbalance induced current harmonics in a synchronous motor drive includes receiving a command current signal corresponding to a generated command current. The method also includes receiving a position estimate signal indicating an estimated position of the synchronous motor drive and, in response to at least one current harmonic being induced by a parameter imbalance, determining a voltage adjustment value using the command current signal and the position estimate signal. The method also includes generating a voltage adjustment signal using, at least, the voltage adjustment value, the voltage adjustment signal being applied to the synchronous motor drive to compensate for the current harmonics induced by the parameter imbalance.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system includes a transmission torque sensor, a handwheel position sensor, and a controller. The transmission torque sensor is configured to measure and output a transmission torque signal. The handwheel position sensor is configured to measure and output a handwheel position signal. The controller includes an angle-based load calculation submodule, a torque steer ratio calculation submodule, and a torque control module. The angle-based load calculation submodule is configured to transform the transmission torque signal and the handwheel position signal into an estimated second load value. The torque steer ratio calculation submodule is configured to transform the estimated second load value, a first load value indicative of roadwheel load including torque steer influence, and the transmission torque signal into a torque steer ratio.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly includes a first member having a first member inner surface and a first member outer surface. Each surface extending between a first member first end and a first member second end along an axis. A second member having a second member inner surface and a second member outer surface. Each surface extending between a second member first end and a second member second end along the axis. The first member first end arranged to be received within the second member such that the second member inner surface is disposed about a portion of the first member outer surface. Also included is a shaft extending from a third member. The shaft extending into the first member second end along the axis.

Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving a first accelerometer measurement. The method also includes receiving a second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes determining a counter torque value based on the first accelerometer measurement and the second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes selectively controlling a motor using the counter torque value.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method or product for alerting or refocusing an inattentive driver.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating machine parameters of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive. An example method includes determining a region for estimating a machine parameter based on a motor velocity value and a motor current value. The method further includes, in response to the motor velocity value and the motor current value being in the region, estimating an error in estimated voltage command, and estimating the machine parameter using the error in estimated voltage command.

Abstract: A rack assembly for a vehicle steering system includes a first rack component extending longitudinally from a first outer end to a first inner end, the first rack component having a first shoulder extending radially outwardly from a neck region to a head region. The rack assembly also includes a second rack component extending longitudinally from a second outer end to a second inner end, the second rack component having a second shoulder extending radially outwardly from a neck region to a head region. The rack assembly further includes a coupling assembly having an inner surface defining a hollow region that the head region of the first rack component and the head region of the second rack component are each disposed within, the inner surface having a first radial protrusion in abutment with the first shoulder and a second radial protrusion in abutment with the second shoulder.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket having a first end, a second end, a jacket length, and an inner surface defining a bore. The steering column assembly also includes a steering shaft having an outer surface and a shaft length, at least a portion of the steering shaft located within the bore defined by the inner surface of the jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a stiffening sleeve having a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, and a sleeve length, wherein the radially outer surface of the stiffening sleeve is fixed to the inner surface of the jacket.

Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly is provided. The assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a spring disposed in a spring bore defined by the housing. The assembly yet further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing and the spring, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm, wherein compression of the spring adjusts the compensation mechanism biasing of the worm bearing. The assembly also includes a spring retainer comprising a pin retainer portion disposed within an interior of the spring, the pin retainer portion extending from a main body portion of the spring retainer.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly comprising female shaft and a male shaft. The female shaft includes an inner surface defining a plurality of outer roller bearing tracks. The male shaft includes an outer surface defining a plurality of inner roller bearing tracks. An adaptable sleeve assembly is located between the inner surface of the female shaft and the outer surface of the male shaft and includes a body. The body defines an outer surface for contacting the inner surface of the female shaft and an inner surface for contacting the outer surface of the male shaft. The body defines at least one rib projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface of the body and projecting radially inwardly from the inner surface of the body. The at least one rib is inserted into one of the plurality of inner roller bearing tracks and one of the plurality of outer roller bearing tracks.