Abstract: A steering system circuit arrangement for operating an electric motor comprised by a steering adjuster may include a control unit and either a first sensor unit, which is designed to provide first input signals, or a second sensor unit, which is designed to provide second input signals that are different from the first input signals. The control unit is configured to both receive the first input signals provided by the first sensor unit and to provide an actuation signal for the electric motor by taking account of these received first input signals, and to receive the second input signals provided by the second sensor unit and to provide the actuation signal by taking account of these received second input signals. Further, an electromechanical steering system may include such a circuit arrangement. Methods for producing and operating such steering systems may also be utilized.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a motor vehicle may include a steering wheel and a feedback actuator connected to the steering wheel for providing road feedback to a driver. The feedback actuator may include an electric motor and an electronic control unit. The feedback actuator may further include at least two redundant rotor position sensors. The electronic control unit may be equipped with sleep-mode functionality, which in case an ignition is off awakens the at least two redundant rotor position sensors periodically or upon movement of a rotor of the electric motor to detect and measure rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A control unit for a steering system of a motor vehicle may include device electronics arranged on a circuit board. The device electronics can include control electronics, a power module, and a current feed. The control electronics are designed for processing input signals with output of control signals to the power module, and the power module has contact points for connection of a steering servo motor for actuating the steering servo motor based on the control signals. The circuit board is a rigid-flex circuit board with at least two rigid circuit carriers connected by at least one first flexible section. The control electronics and the power module are arranged on the circuit carriers, and a second flexible section of the circuit board is formed for the current feed on the circuit carrier of the power module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a vehicle occupant protection device of a steer-by-wire steering system. The system includes a steering wheel and an adjustable steering column connected to the steering wheel which can be adjusted between a retracted position and a deployed position via an adjustment mechanism. The steer-by-wire steering system has a feedback actuator to which a driver's request for a steering angle can be applied by a driver via the steering wheel, and which outputs a feedback signal to the steering wheel in response to the driver's request and a driving state of the motor vehicle. The method includes detecting an accident, detecting a hands-off situation or a hands-on situation, and when a hands-off situation has been detected, moving the steering column into an accident position by means of the adjustment mechanism, and triggering a steering wheel airbag during or after the adjustment process.

Abstract: A redundant control device for a three-phase electric motor of a steering system of a motor vehicle, having a primary control path and a secondary control path. The primary control path has a primary processing unit, and the secondary control path has a secondary processing unit. The primary control path is connected to a first phase winding of the electric motor, and the secondary control path is connected to a second phase winding and a third phase winding for actuating the electric motor, wherein each phase winding is assigned an individual converter.

Abstract: Methods for providing steering assistance for an electromechanical steering system having a redundant control unit with a primary and a secondary control path. Respective primary and secondary control paths each have a computing unit, gate driver module, and power module. The method includes detecting an applied steering torque; calculating a primary and secondary motor target torque in the primary computing unit as a function of the applied steering torque; transmitting the primary motor target torque to a primary motor controller of the primary computing unit; determining primary motor currents to operate a primary electric motor or a primary winding group of the electric motor in the primary motor controller; transferring the secondary motor target torque from the primary computing unit to a secondary motor controller and determining secondary motor currents for operation of a secondary electric motor or a secondary winding group of the electric motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a vehicle occupant protection device of a steer-by-wire steering system. The system includes a steering wheel and an adjustable steering column connected to the steering wheel which can be adjusted between a retracted position and a deployed position via an adjustment mechanism. The steer-by-wire steering system has a feedback actuator to which a driver's request for a steering angle can be applied by a driver via the steering wheel, and which outputs a feedback signal to the steering wheel in response to the driver's request and a driving state of the motor vehicle. The method includes detecting an accident, detecting a hands-off situation or a hands-on situation, and when a hands-off situation has been detected, moving the steering column into an accident position by means of the adjustment mechanism, and triggering a steering wheel airbag during or after the adjustment process.

Abstract: A method can synchronize movement between a feedback actuator and a steering actuator in a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle. The steer-by-wire steering system may include a steering wheel, a feedback actuator connected to the steering wheel for providing road feedback to a driver, road wheels, and a steering actuator with an electric motor that operates in response to detected values of various steering parameters and orientates the road wheels in a desired direction. The method may involve detecting with an angle sensor a rotation of the electric motor's rotor caused by movement of the road wheels or the steering wheel. If movement is detected, a position change can be registered in a storage means. Upon ignition on, the feedback actuator or the steering actuator may be moved in accordance with the stored position change to maintain synchronization.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a motor vehicle may include a steering wheel and a feedback actuator connected to the steering wheel for providing road feedback to a driver. The feedback actuator may include an electric motor and an electronic control unit. The feedback actuator may further include at least two redundant rotor position sensors. The electronic control unit may be equipped with sleep-mode functionality, which in case an ignition is off awakens the at least two redundant rotor position sensors periodically or upon movement of a rotor of the electric motor to detect and measure rotation of the rotor.