Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system, the vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a motor coupled to the steering column assembly, providing a sensor connected to the motor and configured to measure a motor characteristic, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensor and the vehicle steering system, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the sensor if a trigger condition is satisfied, analyzing, by the controller, the sensor data related to the motor characteristic to determine if an overload condition is satisfied, and if the overload condition is satisfied, automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the motor.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system, the vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a motor coupled to the steering column assembly, providing a sensor connected to the motor and configured to measure a motor characteristic, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensor and the vehicle steering system, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the sensor if a trigger condition is satisfied, analyzing, by the controller, the sensor data related to the motor characteristic to determine if an overload condition is satisfied, and if the overload condition is satisfied, automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the motor.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle steering system includes providing a vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, providing at least one controller in communication with the vehicle sensor and the vehicle steering system, receiving, by the controller, sensor data from the vehicle sensor indicative of the vehicle characteristic, determining, by the controller, a steering system condition from the sensor data, and generating and transmitting, by the controller, a control signal to the steering system based on the determined steering system condition.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes the steps of providing a vehicle steering system including a steering wheel, providing a control system in electronic communication with the vehicle steering system, the control system including a controller, determining a rotational position change, generating a control signal indicating the rotational position change, and adjusting a position of the steering wheel from a first position to a second position based on the control signal.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes, in some embodiments, a steering shaft, a steering column jacket encircling at least a portion of the steering shaft, an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator coupled to the steering shaft, and a travel limiter assembly enclosed within the housing and coupled with the steering shaft, the travel limiter assembly comprising at least one rotational member having a pin and a groove configured to receive the pin, the groove including a stop portion. In some embodiments, the at least one rotational member and at least a portion of the steering shaft rotates within the housing and the pin travels within the groove until the pin encounters the stop portion after a predetermined degree of rotation of the steering shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for damage risk indication of a steering system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor system and a processing device. The sensor system is configured to detect a velocity of a servo unit of a steering system of the vehicle. The processing device is configured to determine an acceleration value of the servo unit and to compare the acceleration value, velocity values and thresholds of the servo unit with an acceleration value threshold, and to generate a warning signal if the acceleration value of the servo unit exceeds the acceleration value threshold. Thus, a damage risk is determined and the vehicle can be subjected to further damage investigation.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes a steering column assembly, a steering wheel assembly secured to the steering column assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising a steering wheel frame, a steering wheel rim, and a hub, and an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator secured to the steering column assembly. The steering wheel frame and the hub are stationary and the steering wheel rim rotates relative to the steering wheel frame and the hub.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring steering gear overtravel in rack and pinion steering systems. The provided systems and methods introduce a change in the length of the fastener that attaches an inner tie rod ball joint housing within a steering gear rack bar. The provided systems and methods also monitor the disengagement of that fastener (also referred to as overtravel and as rack travel) to generate flags and provide them to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for damage risk indication of a steering system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor system and a processing device. The sensor system is configured to detect a velocity of a servo unit of a steering system of the vehicle. The processing device is configured to determine an acceleration value of the servo unit and to compare the acceleration value, velocity values and thresholds of the servo unit with an acceleration value threshold, and to generate a warning signal if the acceleration value of the servo unit exceeds the acceleration value threshold. Thus, a damage risk is determined and the vehicle can be subjected to further damage investigation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the state of charge of a battery of a vehicle are provided. A battery monitor having a processor and a memory is configured to monitor an operating voltage and a loaded voltage of the battery. An electric power steering system is configured to be supplied with power from the battery. The battery monitor is configured to calculate a voltage drop between the operating voltage and the loaded voltage when the battery is under load from the electric power steering system. The battery monitor compares the voltage drop to a predetermined voltage drop and determines that the state of charge of the battery is low when the voltage drop is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage drop. The battery monitor instructs the electric power steering system to operate in a limited state when the state of charge of the battery is low.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes a steering column assembly, a steering wheel assembly secured to the steering column assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising a steering wheel frame, a steering wheel rim, and a hub, and an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator secured to the steering column assembly. The steering wheel frame and the hub are stationary and the steering wheel rim rotates relative to the steering wheel frame and the hub.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring steering gear overtravel in rack and pinion steering systems. The provided systems and methods introduce a change in the length of the fastener that attaches an inner tie rod ball joint housing within a steering gear rack bar. The provided systems and methods also monitor the disengagement of that fastener (also referred to as overtravel and as rack travel) to generate flags and provide them to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes, in some embodiments, a steering shaft, a steering column jacket encircling at least a portion of the steering shaft, an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator coupled to the steering shaft, and a travel limiter assembly enclosed within the housing and coupled with the steering shaft, the travel limiter assembly comprising at least one rotational member having a pin and a groove configured to receive the pin, the groove including a stop portion. In some embodiments, the at least one rotational member and at least a portion of the steering shaft rotates within the housing and the pin travels within the groove until the pin encounters the stop portion after a predetermined degree of rotation of the steering shaft.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for steering system integrity testing includes positioning the vehicle with the second traction wheel within a first constraint; applying mechanical load to the first traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first traction wheel within a second constraint; applying mechanical load to the second traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first and second traction wheels on respective first and second friction surfaces; applying mechanical load to the first and second traction wheels; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; transmitting the data to a processor; and determining, via the processor, a health status of the steering system based on the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the state of charge of a battery of a vehicle are provided. A battery monitor having a processor and a memory is configured to monitor an operating voltage and a loaded voltage of the battery. An electric power steering system is configured to be supplied with power from the battery. The battery monitor is configured to calculate a voltage drop between the operating voltage and the loaded voltage when the battery is under load from the electric power steering system. The battery monitor compares the voltage drop to a predetermined voltage drop and determines that the state of charge of the battery is low when the voltage drop is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage drop. The battery monitor instructs the electric power steering system to operate in a limited state when the state of charge of the battery is low.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a steering assist unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving sensor data indicating a wheel position of a wheel relative to a frame of the vehicle, and determining a travel limit value for the steering assist unit based at least on the wheel position of the wheel. The method further includes outputting a control signal to control the travel of the steering assist unit based on the travel limit value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a steering assist unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving sensor data indicating a wheel position of a wheel relative to a frame of the vehicle, and determining a travel limit value for the steering assist unit based at least on the wheel position of the wheel. The method further includes outputting a control signal to control the travel of the steering assist unit based on the travel limit value.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.