Patents by Inventor Jan Bremkens
Jan Bremkens 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: 11807322Abstract: A present steering position of a manually actuatable steering unit of the motor vehicle is determined based on sensor data. A steering command is generated based on the present steering position of the steering unit. Then, based on sensor-detected present vehicle dynamics data, it is determined whether the motor vehicle is in a straight-ahead running situation during driving operation. It is determined whether, during the straight-ahead running situation of the motor vehicle, the present steering position of the steering unit deviates from a straight-ahead running position of the steering unit for at least one of a specified time period and a specified traveling distance of the motor vehicle. A compensation steering command is generated based on the determined deviation of the present steering position of the steering unit from the straight-ahead running position. A corrected steering command is generated based on combining the compensation steering command with the steering command.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel F. Slavin, Simon Nolden, Tomas Mawyin, Alex Gidley
-
Publication number: 20230174149Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a land vehicle, having a steering wheel, a feedback actuator, a detection device equipped to detect a driver's intention to enter the vehicle and/or a driver's intention to exit the vehicle, and an electronic control system, which, following detection of the intention to enter the vehicle and/or the intention to exit the vehicle controls the feedback actuator to hold the steering wheel in a predetermined rotational position by generating a holding torque. When an actuating torque which exceeds the holding torque is applied manually to the steering wheel and the steering wheel is rotated out of the predetermined rotational position, the electronic control system continuously approximates a turning angle of the predetermined rotational position to a turning angle of a current rotational position of the steering wheel using a specified time-based adjustment function based on a difference between the actuating torque and the holding torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu, Jan Bremkens, Alexander Ein Waldt
-
Publication number: 20220017142Abstract: A present steering position of a manually actuatable steering unit of the motor vehicle is determined based on sensor data. A steering command is generated based on the present steering position of the steering unit. Then, based on sensor-detected present vehicle dynamics data, it is determined whether the motor vehicle is in a straight-ahead running situation during driving operation. It is determined whether, during the straight-ahead running situation of the motor vehicle, the present steering position of the steering unit deviates from a straight-ahead running position of the steering unit for at least one of a specified time period and a specified traveling distance of the motor vehicle. A compensation steering command is generated based on the determined deviation of the present steering position of the steering unit from the straight-ahead running position. A corrected steering command is generated based on combining the compensation steering command with the steering command.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel F. Slavin, Simon Nolden, Tomas Mawyin, Alex Gidley
-
Patent number: 11142203Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine a trajectory of a first vehicle. The computer is programmed to determine whether a second vehicle blocks the trajectory. Upon such determination, the computer sends an instruction to the second vehicle to adjust the second vehicle speed. The computer is programmed to determine the instruction based on the determined trajectory of the first vehicle, a second vehicle location, and a second vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Joseph Park, Lodewijk Wijffels
-
Patent number: 11136060Abstract: A steering system includes an electric motor drivably coupled to a steering column, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electric motor. The computer is programmed to isolate a nibble signal in data representing a torque of the steering column, and instruct the electric motor to output a motor torque based on the nibble signal shifted by a phase shift, the phase shift based on a vehicle-wheel frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph M. Raad, Darrel Alan Recker, Jan Bremkens, Daniel Slavin
-
Patent number: 10766522Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling steering nibble in position controlled steering systems are described. A controller is to determine actuator angle data based on steering wheel angle data associated with a steering wheel. The controller is also to determine nibble control angle data based on the steering wheel angle data. The controller is also to determine adjusted actuator angle data based on the actuator angle data and the nibble control angle data. The controller is also to generate a control signal based on the adjusted actuator angle data to apply a torque via an actuator of a position controlled steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel Slavin, Joseph Raad
-
Publication number: 20200262472Abstract: A steering system includes an electric motor drivably coupled to a steering column, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electric motor. The computer is programmed to isolate a nibble signal in data representing a torque of the steering column, and instruct the electric motor to output a motor torque based on the nibble signal shifted by a phase shift, the phase shift based on a vehicle-wheel frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: JOSEPH M. RAAD, DARREL ALAN RECKER, JAN BREMKENS, DANIEL SLAVIN
-
Patent number: 10501112Abstract: A vehicle includes an adaptive front steering system including an assist motor that provides an overlay angle superimposed on a steering wheel angle. External torque to the assist motor is estimated by a controller and evaluated to determine whether it is the result of an external disturbance. If so, the controller evaluates whether the external disturbance is a road disturbance, such as by determining that road wheel speed varied from the vehicle speed or that an impact site is present in outputs of external sensors of the vehicle. If a road disturbance is determined to have occurred, compliance may be introduced in order to reduce the transmission of torque to the steering wheel. Compliance may be introduced by adjusting current to the assist motor, a target angle to the assist motor, reducing gain in the control system for the assist motor, or shorting leads of the assist motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joseph Park, Jan Bremkens, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
-
Publication number: 20190144031Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling steering nibble in position controlled steering systems are described. A controller is to determine actuator angle data based on steering wheel angle data associated with a steering wheel. The controller is also to determine nibble control angle data based on the steering wheel angle data. The controller is also to determine adjusted actuator angle data based on the actuator angle data and the nibble control angle data. The controller is also to generate a control signal based on the adjusted actuator angle data to apply a torque via an actuator of a position controlled steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel Slavin, Joseph Raad
-
Patent number: 10252697Abstract: A system for estimating torque in a locked vehicle system may include a locking mechanism comprising a stiff material. The system may further include a controller configured to estimate an amount of torque in the locked vehicle system based on a deformation of the stiff material.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad Abdelrahman, Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
-
Patent number: 10232873Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a steering wheel angle relative to a first universal joint, a second sensor to measure a pinion angle relative to a second universal joint, and a third sensor to measure a torque relative to a torsion bar. The apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to determine a non-uniformity angle associated with a steering column, the non-uniformity angle based on the torque and comparing the steering wheel angle to the pinion angle, map the non-uniformity angle to a first position of the steering column, and determine an offset to adjust a steering response based on the first position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell, Cornelius Macfarland, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
-
Patent number: 10106190Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining kinetic friction in electromechanical steering actuators are disclosed herein. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a steering controller. In some examples, the steering controller is to apply an input torque to a steering system via a motor. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine an angular acceleration of the steering system in response to the input torque. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a response torque based on the angular acceleration. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a friction torque of the steering system based on the input torque and the response torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Oliver Nehls, Joseph Park, Lodewijk Wijffels, Cornelius Macfarland
-
Publication number: 20180281844Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a steering wheel angle relative to a first universal joint, a second sensor to measure a pinion angle relative to a second universal joint, and a third sensor to measure a torque relative to a torsion bar. The apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to determine a non-uniformity angle associated with a steering column, the non-uniformity angle based on the torque and comparing the steering wheel angle to the pinion angle, map the non-uniformity angle to a first position of the steering column, and determine an offset to adjust a steering response based on the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, David Michael Russell, Cornelius Macfarland, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens
-
Publication number: 20180244275Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine a trajectory of a first vehicle. The computer is programmed to determine whether a second vehicle blocks the trajectory. Upon such determination, the computer sends an instruction to the second vehicle to adjust the second vehicle speed. The computer is programmed to determine the instruction based on the determined trajectory of the first vehicle, a second vehicle location, and a second vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jan Bremkens, Joseph Park, Lodewijk Wijffels
-
Publication number: 20180237056Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining kinetic friction in electromechanical steering actuators are disclosed herein. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a steering controller. In some examples, the steering controller is to apply an input torque to a steering system via a motor. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine an angular acceleration of the steering system in response to the input torque. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a response torque based on the angular acceleration. In some examples, the steering controller is to determine a friction torque of the steering system based on the input torque and the response torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jan Bremkens, Oliver Nehls, Joseph Park, Lodewijk Wijffels, Cornelius Macfarland
-
Publication number: 20180134312Abstract: A vehicle includes an adaptive front steering system including an assist motor that provides an overlay angle superimposed on a steering wheel angle. External torque to the assist motor is estimated by a controller and evaluated to determine whether it is the result of an external disturbance. If so, the controller evaluates whether the external disturbance is a road disturbance, such as by determining that road wheel speed varied from the vehicle speed or that an impact site is present in outputs of external sensors of the vehicle. If a road disturbance is determined to have occurred, compliance may be introduced in order to reduce the transmission of torque to the steering wheel. Compliance may be introduced by adjusting current to the assist motor, a target angle to the assist motor, reducing gain in the control system for the assist motor, or shorting leads of the assist motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Joseph Park, Jan Bremkens, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
-
Patent number: 9845108Abstract: A method for estimating steering assistance provided by a power steering system of a vehicle may include correlating an internal torque applied by an adaptive steering system of the vehicle with an external torque applied to a steering assembly of the vehicle. The method may also include estimating the steering assistance based on the correlation.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Joseph Park, Timothy Cannon, Sergio Codonesu, Jan Bremkens
-
Publication number: 20170291577Abstract: A system for estimating torque in a locked vehicle system may include a locking mechanism comprising a stiff material. The system may further include a controller configured to estimate an amount of torque in the locked vehicle system based on a deformation of the stiff material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad ABDELRAHMAN, Joshua GUERRA, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Oliver NEHLS, Jan BREMKENS
-
Patent number: 9731761Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel and at least one road wheel. The steering wheel is rotatably connected to a steering-wheel actuator, and the at least one road wheel is movably connected to a steering system. A controller is in communication with the steering system and the steering-wheel actuator. The controller is programmed to determine a steering-wheel angle based on a road-wheel angle, an operation mode, and a steering-compensation type; and to instruct the steering-wheel actuator to rotate the steering wheel according to the steering-wheel angle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joseph Park, Oliver Nehls, Jan Bremkens, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu
-
Publication number: 20170113714Abstract: A method for estimating steering assistance provided by a power steering system of a vehicle may include correlating an internal torque applied by an adaptive steering system of the vehicle with an external torque applied to a steering assembly of the vehicle. The method may also include estimating the steering assistance based on the correlation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joshua GUERRA, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Oliver NEHLS, Joseph PARK, Timothy CANNON, Sergio CODONESU, Jan BREMKENS