Patents by Inventor Arnulf Heilig

Arnulf Heilig has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11459026
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an electric power steering system. The system includes an electric motor configured to provide a torque to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, a torsion bar torque sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The system also includes an electronic controller configured to determine a failure of the torsion bar torque sensor, receive a vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor and a steering angle from the steering angle sensor, calculate a steering assistance torque based on the vehicle speed and the steering angle, calculate a hysteresis torque based on the steering angle, sum the steering assistance torque and the hysteresis torque to determine a turning torque, calculate a return torque and sum the turning torque and return torque to obtain an output torque, and generate a command for the electric motor to provide the output torque to the steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Zheng Zhao, Duanxiang Zhang, Arnulf Heilig
  • Patent number: 11267509
    Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle includes a steering rod and at least one drive unit, wherein the steering rod can be displaced along its longitudinal extent by the drive unit. The steering device also includes at least one first sensor device for determining a displacement position of the steering rod. The steering rod, as seen along its longitudinal extent, exhibits at least one change in its cross section, in particular diameter, wherein the first sensor device is designed to sense the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Buering, Wolfgang Abele, Andreas Kruttschnitt, Arnulf Heilig, Ralf Redemann, Vitali Haag, Ossmane Krini, Stefan Scherb, Arthur Rupp
  • Publication number: 20210362777
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an electric power steering system. The system includes an electric motor configured to provide a torque to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, a torsion bar torque sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The system also includes an electronic controller configured to determine a failure of the torsion bar torque sensor, receive a vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor and a steering angle from the steering angle sensor, calculate a steering assistance torque based on the vehicle speed and the steering angle, calculate a hysteresis torque based on the steering angle, sum the steering assistance torque and the hysteresis torque to determine a turning torque, calculate a return torque and sum the turning torque and return torque to obtain an output torque, and generate a command for the electric motor to provide the output torque to the steering mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Zheng ZHAO, Duanxiang ZHANG, Arnulf HEILIG
  • Publication number: 20210101640
    Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle includes a steering rod and at least one drive unit, wherein the steering rod can be displaced along its longitudinal extent by the drive unit. The steering device also includes at least one first sensor device for determining a displacement position of the steering rod. The steering rod, as seen along its longitudinal extent, exhibits at least one change in its cross section, in particular diameter, wherein the first sensor device is designed to sense the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Hendrik Buering, Wolfgang Abele, Andreas Kruttschnitt, Arnulf Heilig, Ralf Redemann, Vitali Haag, Ossmane Krini, Stefan Scherb, Arthur Rupp
  • Patent number: 9452778
    Abstract: A method for determining a desired preset value (YMSM) for a motor torque of an electric servomotor in a power assisted steering system for a motor vehicle, wherein the desired preset value is determined using a motor torque servo control component (MVSK) which forms a controlled section, and using a motor torque regulator component (MRK) which forms a regulated section, wherein the regulating variable is a torsion bar torque (MDS), the two motor torque components being functionally offset against one another in order to determine therefrom the desired preset value (YMSM) for the motor torque (MSM) of the servomotor (SM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventor: Arnulf Heilig
  • Publication number: 20150175197
    Abstract: A method for determining a desired preset value (YMSM) for a motor torque of an electric servomotor in a power assisted steering system for a motor vehicle, wherein the desired preset value is determined using a motor torque servo control component (MVSK) which forms a controlled section, and using a motor torque regulator component (MRK) which forms a regulated section, wherein the regulating variable is a torsion bar torque (MDS), the two motor torque components being functionally offset against one another in order to determine therefrom the desired preset value (YMSM) for the motor torque (MSM) of the servomotor (SM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Arnulf Heilig
  • Publication number: 20120239254
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a power steering system and to such a power steering system. A manual torque predetermined by a driver is superimposed in a superposition unit with a motor torque created by a motor. Impairment of the power steering system can thus be detected by evaluating rotational speed patterns of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Claudio Rettenmeier
  • Publication number: 20110276230
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a power steering system in which a motor torque is computed by an electronic processor and established by suitable motor actuation, wherein a plausibility check is carried out for the computed motor torque as part of a 3-level design, wherein integration of a part above a motor torque limit curve and decrementation of an integrator with a part below the motor torque limit curve are performed, the target motor torque being limited to a first integration threshold in level 1, and the limitation is monitored in level 2, with an intrinsically safe motor torque limit curve being used as a function of an actual torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stefan Gruener, Michael Sprinzl
  • Patent number: 7398854
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical power steering system for a vehicle includes an electrical servomotor, a steering device for entering a reference value (?S) of a steering angle into a control andlor regulation device, a moment sensor and an angle sensor for the steering device, a device for estimating the moment (Mv) at the steering device and an angle sensor for determining the angle (?A) of a power take-off of the electrical servomotor. In order to control the electrical power steering system, which makes a non-critical behavior possible in the event of a malfunction or failure of a moment sensor at the steering device, provisions are made so that an offset value (??) is constantly formed from the reference value (?S) of the steering angle and the actual value ?I of the steering angle, and a virtual moment (Mv) of the steering device is determined on the basis of the offset value (??) and is used to control the electrical servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Michael Bischofberger
  • Patent number: 7383109
    Abstract: A vehicle power steering system suppresses chattering, i.e., unpleasant noises in the form of mechanical and generally higher frequency oscillations resulting from backlash in a gear connection transmitting the torque from the motor to the steering wheel mechanics, produced under certain driving conditions. A control system is provided which evaluates the rotor rpm of the electric motor, and increases the dynamic response time of the rotor in the event that the evaluation of the rotor rpm indicates an unstable state of the control system. As a result, chattering is suppressed only when a critical driving situation arises in which the control system becomes unstable, while, in the normal state, the steering system exhibits all properties thereof, and is neither delayed nor limited in a dynamic behavior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger
  • Patent number: 7239104
    Abstract: A method is for compensating for a rotor angle deviation of a motor, which may be used as an actuator, e.g., as a servo actuator, in a steering system. The rotor angle deviation is compensated for by a piecewise linearized control of the difference between a desired rotor angle, which is based on a manual torque and a stored rotor angle, and a measured rotor angle, a control factor of the control being variable as a function of the control range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger, Dietmar Hiller
  • Patent number: 7035722
    Abstract: In a method for operating a steering system for a motor vehicle, a set point torque predefined value is fed to a servomotor as a function of a manual steering torque generated by the driver, in order to generate a motor actuating torque which is to be transmitted to the steered vehicle wheels. A hysteresis torque is taken into account in the set point torque predefined value in order to compensate for the friction in the steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Michael Boensch, Bernd Rommel
  • Publication number: 20060076916
    Abstract: A method is for compensating for a rotor angle deviation of a motor, which may be used as an actuator, e.g., as a servo actuator, in a steering system. The rotor angle deviation is compensated for by a piecewise linearized control of the difference between a desired rotor angle, which is based on a manual torque and a stored rotor angle, and a measured rotor angle, a control factor of the control being variable as a function of the control range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger, Dietmar Hiller
  • Publication number: 20060042411
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, e.g., a power-steering system for a motor vehicle, includes a gear unit, which converts a rotational movement of a first gear element, such as a pinion, to an axial shifting movement of a rod or gear rack. The gear unit is used for adjusting the steering angle of one or more wheels of the motor vehicle. The shifting movement of the rod occurs between a first limit stop and a second limit stop and is detected by a position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Wolfgang Abele, Arnulf Heilig
  • Publication number: 20060000662
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical power steering system for a vehicle includes a electrical servometer, a steering device for entering a reference value (?S) of a steering angle into a control and/or regulation device, a moment sensor and an angle sensor for the steering device, a device for estimating the moment (Mv) at the steering device and an angle sensor for determining the angle (?A) of a power take-off of the electrical servomotor. In order to control the electrical power steering system, which makes a non-critical behavior possible in the event of a malfunction or failure of a moment sensor at the steering device, provisions are made so that an offset value (??) is constantly formed from the reference value (?S) of the steering angel and the actual value ?I of the steering angle, and a virtual moment (Mv) of the steering device is determined on the basis of the offset value (??) and is used to control the electrical servomotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Michael Bischofberger
  • Publication number: 20050096813
    Abstract: Vehicle power steering systems with an electric motor have an electronic control system which controls the electric motor dynamically so that it produces a motor torque which supports the steering force and is usually transmitted to the steering wheel mechanics over a gear connection such as a worm gear. However, gear connections cannot be constructed completely without backlash. Under certain driving conditions therefore, chatter develops in the form of mechanical, generally higher frequency oscillations, which cause unpleasant and irritating noises. In order to counteract such disturbances, there is provided a vehicle power steering system with an electric motor and a method for controlling the electric motor for which the control system evaluates the rotor rpm of the electric motor and increases the dynamic response time of the rotor, in the event that the evaluation of the rotor rpm indicates an unstable state of the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger
  • Publication number: 20050096814
    Abstract: In a method for operating a steering system for a motor vehicle, a set point torque predefined value is fed to a servomotor as a function of a manual steering torque generated by the driver, in order to generate a motor actuating torque which is to be transmitted to the steered vehicle wheels. A hysteresis torque is taken into account in the set point torque predefined value in order to compensate for the friction in the steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Arnulf Heilig, Michael Boensch, Bernd Rommel