Abstract: A power supply diagnostic strategy for discrete power supply diagnostic states is independent of the underlying memory structure. The values used in the associated algorithm are selected to ensure that random linked failures will be detected. This applies to planar memory structures with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 common lattices, or physical memory structures with individual bit dispersed memories with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 consecutive bit splices. Further, the strategy provides that the various monitored voltage tables remains distinct even with compiler optimization activated.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a control for providing a calculated torque assist demand in the event of failure of a steering wheel torque sensor. The control is responsive to one or more of a vehicle speed, a steering column position, a steering column velocity, a gear lever position, a vehicle yaw rate and a vehicle lateral acceleration for generating the calculated torque assist demand. The control is operable to modify the torque assist demand by providing one or more of (a) friction and inertial compensation, (b) vehicle oversteer compensation, (c) reverse motion compensation, (d) damping compensation and (e) self steer prevention.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a first support bracket, a second support bracket, a shroud, and an energy absorbing device. The energy absorbing device comprises a laminated strap having discrete first and second layers, each formed from a separate elongate strip of material that is free to slide over the other strip along a major portion of its length, a portion of the laminated strap being coiled into a spiral, a free end portion of the laminated strap passing through passing through an opening in the second support bracket or the shroud, the free end of a first one of the strips having an opening through which a fastener passes that secures the laminated strap to the first support bracket, and the free end of a second one of the straps being connected to the first strip in a region distal from the free end of the first strip.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises an upper column shaft that in use is operatively connected to a steering wheel of the vehicle; and a lower column shaft that in use is operatively connected to the road wheels of the vehicle. A torsion bar interconnects the upper column shaft and the lower column shaft; and an electric motor is connected to the lower column shaft of the torque sensor assembly.

Abstract: A bearing device for motor vehicle shafts is described, in particular for motor vehicle steering shafts. The bearing device is provided for torque transmission between an inner shaft and the hollow shaft surrounded by the inner shaft. The inner shaft and the hollow shaft each have opposing bearing grooves, in which rolling elements are received. At least one positive locking cam in radial direction is provided. A safety contour is assigned to the positive locking cam, the safety contour comprising two engagement positions for the positive locking cam. In the case of unoccupied bearing grooves the positive locking cam is rotationally movable along the safety contour between the engagement points during a torque transmission, in a manner that a defined relative movement between the inner shaft and the hollow shaft is possible, which generates both tactile feedback and acoustic feedback. Furthermore, an automotive shaft assembly is described.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an electric power-assisted steering system comprising a DC power supply; an inverter bridge including a plurality of bridge switches selectively connecting phases of a multi-phase electric motor to the DC power supply, the multi-phase electric motor being configured to provide power-assistance to a steering system of a vehicle; a bridge driver circuit for providing control signals to the inverter bridge; and a DC link capacitor circuit interposed between the DC power supply and the inverter bridge, the DC link capacitor circuit at least one DC link capacitor. The monitoring system comprises a monitoring circuit configured to monitor the integrity of the DC link capacitor circuit, and outputting a ripple value indicative of a ripple voltage in an output of the DC power supply; and comparison means for comparing the ripple value with at least one ripple parameter indicative of a fault in the DC link capacitor circuit and determining whether a fault is present.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a shroud having an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part movable telescopically relative to one another, and a steering shaft. The upper shroud part carries an energy absorbing device which in normal use moves together with the upper shroud part. A blocking device is fixed to the lower shroud part or to a part of the vehicle that is fixed relative to the lower shroud part; and a connecting rod is connected at a first end to the blocking device and at a second end to a spring which is in turn connected to the lower shroud part or to the fixed part of the vehicle. An initiator module engages with a part of the connecting rod or spring when the blocking mechanism is in the unlocked position thereby to isolate the blocking device from the force of the spring.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor comprises a controller which receives as an input a demanded motor current and produces at an output an intermediate voltage demand signal, a voltage demand signal correction means arranged to generate a voltage demand correction signal, and a combining means arranged to combine the intermediate voltage demand signal and the voltage demand correction signal to produce an actual voltage demand signal that is applied to the motor by pulse width modulation of the switches of a motor bridge driver. The correction signal compensates for unwanted non-linearities caused by interlock delays in the switching of the motor bridge switches.

Abstract: A method of introducing an electric conductor (22), especially a heating wire, into foam padding (20) of a steering wheel skeleton (18) includes introducing at least one cut (26) into the foam padding (20) by means of a cutting tool (34). At the same time the conductor is introduced into the produced cut (26). Moreover a tool as well as a tool assembly for implementing the method and a vehicle steering wheel are provided.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a first fixed portion comprising a linear array of stator teeth, each surrounded by one or more turns of electrical wire, a controller which generates a set of currents that are applied to phase windings of the first fixed portion to generate a pattern of magnetic poles along the array of stator teeth, a spacing between the magnetic poles being larger than a spacing between adjacent stator teeth of the first fixed portion, a second fixed portion that comprises an alternating set of magnet poles, a spacing between adjacent poles being smaller than the spacing of the magnetic poles of the first fixed portion created by the controller, and a movable output portion that comprises a linear array of pole pieces that extend along a length of the moveable output portion that is greater than a stroke length of the actuator and longer than a length of the fixed portion, whereby in use a length of the movable output portion is at all times located between the first and second fixed portions,

Abstract: A motor apparatus comprises a permanent magnet synchronous motor circuit having a plurality of lanes, each lane comprising a plurality of unbalanced phases. A current demand circuit which receives a torque demand signal having a value equal to the torque that is to be generated by the motor apparatus and generates a respective current demand signal for each lane indicative of the current to be applied to each phase of the lane to achieve the demanded torque. A first drive circuit and a second drive circuit each comprise a plurality of switches which selectively connect the phases of a respective one of the plurality of lanes to a supply such that PWM modulated currents flow in each of the phases that correspond to the demanded current. The current demand circuit is adapted to modify one or both of the current demand signals such that one or both lanes additionally generate a set of radial forces that are applied to the rotor of the motor that do not net to zero.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing and being configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end, an engagement portion connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, and end stop means which is mounted to the housing and is located in the path of an intermediate rotor which is mounted to the shaft and which is configured to be independently rotatable relative to the shaft, the intermediate rotor being simultaneously engageable with both the engagement portion and with the end stop upon rotation of the shaft through a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, a shaft and an end stop means. The shaft is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing and is configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end with an engagement portion connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft. The end stop means is located in the path of the engagement portion and engageable with the engagement portion upon rotation of the shaft through a predetermined angle. The engagement portion engages with the end stop means upon rotation of the shaft through predetermined angles in both directions. The engagement portion includes a member projecting outwardly from the shaft. The end stop means is mounted on the housing and the end stop means comprises a strip of material bent into a generally T-shape.

Abstract: A control strategy for an electric motor of an electric power assisted steering system of the kind in which a control means produces motor current demand signals that are fed to a motor drive means, the demand signals being dependent on the amount of assistance torque demanded from the motor, the motor drive means being arranged to cause currents to flow in each phase of the motor as required to meet the demanded assistance torque, the control strategy comprising limiting the rate of change of current that is drawn from the electrical supply of the vehicle by the motor in the event that it would otherwise exceed a threshold rate of change.

Abstract: A steering gear includes a housing defining a chamber. A piston divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions. The piston is moveable along a linear axis relative to the housing upon pressurization of fluid in one of the first and second chamber portions. A pressure relief vents pressurized fluid from one of the first and second chamber portions to one other of the first and second chamber portions upon movement of the piston to a predetermined position. The pressure relief assembly includes a first valve at a first end of the pressure relief assembly and a second valve at a second end of the pressure relief assembly. The pressure relief assembly is axially movable relative to the piston to adjust the position of the first valve and the second valve relative to the piston.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprising: a first pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for a first direction of gearwheel torque but not for a second, opposing, direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one first pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a pivot axis, a second pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing, positioned distal from the first pivoting means, which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for the second direction of gearwheel torque but not the first direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one second pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a second pivot axis, the second pivot point being spaced apart from the first pivot point.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a shroud; a steering shaft, which is supported by the shroud; a support bracket, a clamp, and a clamp mechanism. The support bracket is configured to be secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes two arms that depend from a base portion to embrace the shroud. The clamp pin extends through an opening in each of the arms of the support bracket and in a slot in the shroud. The clamp mechanism is movable between an unclamped position in which the shroud can move relative to the support bracket and a clamped position in which the shroud is fixed relative to the support bracket.

Abstract: A support bracket assembly, for fixing a shroud of a steering column assembly to a vehicle, includes: a support bracket fixable to the shroud; and a capsule assembly for interconnecting the support bracket with a fixed part of the vehicle. The capsule assembly further includes a capsule body; and an energy-absorbing strap; wherein the capsule body and energy-absorbing strap are configured to be fixed to the fixed part of the vehicle. Prior to an application of a predetermined force to the support bracket, the capsule body, energy-absorbing strap, and support bracket are interconnected by a connector and further wherein, upon application of the predetermined force to the support bracket, the connector is configured to separate from the capsule body whilst continuing to interconnect the energy-absorbing strap and support bracket.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor comprising an inner stator comprising a plurality of stator teeth, each surrounded by one or more turns of electrical wire, a controller which generates a set of currents that are applied to phase windings of the inner stator to generate a pattern of magnetic poles spaced around the inner stator, the spacing between the magnetic poles being larger than the spacing between adjacent teeth of the inner stator, an outer stator that is concentric with the inner stator and comprises an alternating set of magnet poles, the spacing between adjacent magnet poles being smaller than the spacing of the magnetic poles of a first array created by the controller, and an intermediate rotor part that is located between the inner stator and the outer stator and comprises an array of pole pieces, in which the pole pieces of the intermediate rotor part shape a magnetic flux acting between the inner and outer stators, and whereby in use the controller is arranged to control a torque applied to the rotor p

Abstract: A current measurement circuit suitable for measuring the flow of current along a path in an electrical circuit such as a part of an electric power assisted steering system comprises a current measurement resistor that is located in series in the electrical path through which a current to be measured may flow, a first measurement sub-circuit that measures the voltage dropped across at least a part of the resistor and produces a first output signal, and a second measurement sub-circuit that measures the voltage dropped across at least a part of the resistor and produces a second output signal, and in which the electrical connections of the two sub-circuits to the resistor are independent of each other.