Patents by Inventor Frank Peter Engels
Frank Peter Engels 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).
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Patent number: 11760407Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
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Patent number: 11702073Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
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Patent number: 11440586Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Publication number: 20220073128Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
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Patent number: 11247715Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, ThyssenKrupp Presta AktiengesellschaftInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Patent number: 11214296Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
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Patent number: 11001296Abstract: A motor vehicle including a steering mechanism, a steering gear mechanically decoupled from the steering mechanism, a drive unit for driving the steering gear, and a transmission unit connecting the drive unit in a torque-transmitting manner to the steering gear. The transmission unit including a first torque transmission path and a second torque transmission path wherein the transmission unit has a redundancy.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Florian Rath
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Patent number: 10933908Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting an assistance-torque demand on an actuator, for example a servomotor, of a power steering system. An assistance-torque demand is received and examined based on a predetermined limit criterion. If a violation of the limit criterion is ascertained, a transient assistance-torque limit is adopted and progressively reduced so long as the violation of the limit criterion is ascertained. The assistance-torque demand is limited based on the transient assistance-torque limit. The limited assistance-torque demand is sent to an interface of the actuator of the power steering system.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Felix Weinreich, Frank Peter Engels, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner
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Publication number: 20210009125Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10858001Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10501111Abstract: A steering system for a steerable vehicle includes at least two steerable wheels, to each of which an electrically operable steering actuator to enable the steering actuator to adjust the steering angle of the particular steerable wheel by application of a steering torque. The at least two steering actuators can be mechanically coupled to each other so that, in the event of a failure or a malfunction of the one steering actuator, the steering torque provided by the other steering actuator can be transferred to the one steering actuator, to enable the steering angle of the steerable wheel assigned to the failed steering actuator to still be changed via the other steering actuator. The at least two steering actuators can be mechanically coupled to each other via a bendable shaft or via a universal joint shaft which includes at least two rigid shafts hingedly connected via a universal joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, ThyssenKrupp Presta AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Publication number: 20190367074Abstract: Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (?) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (?) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (?) and a change in the steering angle (?).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Florian Rath
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Patent number: 10479401Abstract: A power steering system including a sensor arranged or located in the steering system. The sensor detects an acoustic vibration or an acceleration signal in the steering system during a change in the steering angle and generates a sensor signal representing the vibration or the acceleration signal. A control unit receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal with a threshold value to detect a fault state; for example when the sensor signal is larger than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20190256127Abstract: A motor vehicle including a steering mechanism, a steering gear mechanically decoupled from the steering mechanism, a drive unit for driving the steering gear, and a transmission unit connecting the drive unit in a torque-transmitting manner to the steering gear. The transmission unit including a first torque transmission path and a second torque transmission path wherein the transmission unit has a redundancy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Florian Rath
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Publication number: 20190152513Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Patent number: 10252746Abstract: A method for reducing the steering torque in a steering system of a vehicle. A method including the steps of monitoring a driver's torque as applied by a driver of the vehicle; providing a plurality of torques that can be imposed on the steering system; and reducing the torques that can be imposed on the steering system by a central reduction factor if monitoring of the steering system reveals a violation of a safety criterion.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jens Dornhege, Frank Peter Engels, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Publication number: 20180273092Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Patent number: 10053144Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting assisting steering torque in a steering system having electronic power assisted steering is provided. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a steering angle change desired by the driver is determined and a range of valid steering angle changes dependent upon the steering angle change desired by the driver are defined. Subsequently it is determined whether a current steering angle change is included in the range of valid steering angle changes, and if the current steering angle change is not included in the range of the valid steering angle changes, the assisting steering torque is limited.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jens Dornhege, Frank Peters Engels, Götz-Philipp Wegner
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Publication number: 20170369096Abstract: A method for reducing the steering torque in a steering system of a vehicle. A method including the steps of monitoring a driver's torque as applied by a driver of the vehicle; providing a plurality of torques that can be imposed on the steering system; and reducing the torques that can be imposed on the steering system by a central reduction factor if monitoring of the steering system reveals a violation of a safety criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jens Dornhege, Frank Peter Engels, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Publication number: 20170313310Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakeehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffman