Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a tire. The method includes impacting the tire with a force; measuring motion information; extracting the resonant frequencies from the measured motion information; and calculating stiffness characteristics of the tire from the resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining frequencies associated with tire crown bending. The system includes a vibration generating device configured to excite vibrations through a tire. The system further includes a vibration sensing arrangement configured to sense vibrations at a plurality of sensing points on the tire. A computer is in communication with the vibration sensing arrangement and configured to determine a first frequency associated with bending of the crown of the tire based at least partially on phase differences between the sensed vibrations at the plurality of points on the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle engine mount system comprises a housing and an inertia track assembly that forms a first fluid chamber with an upper compliant member and a second fluid chamber with the second end of the housing. The inertia track assembly has first and second passageways therethrough for conducting fluid between the first and second fluid chambers. The first passageway has a substantially greater flow resistance than the second. First and second switches are coupled to the first and second passageways, respectively, for selectively enabling the first and second switches to control fluid displacement between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing steering wheel vibrations in electronic power steering systems. The apparatus includes a processor and performs a method that estimates an average angular wheel speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle; determines an average wheel angle from the average angular wheel speed; generates sine and cosine functions of the average angular wheel angle; processes the sine and cosine functions with a steering wheel torque signal received from a torque sensor to extract amplitude components of at least one of the sine and cosine functions; reconstructs the sine and cosine functions using the steering wheel torque signal; combines the sine and cosine functions to provide a control signal, and controls the EPS system via the control signal to attenuate smooth road shake vibrations in a steering wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a steering system of a vehicle is provided. A detection unit is configured to obtain one or more of the following values: a compass heading, a global positioning system (GPS) heading, a yaw velocity, and a difference in tire angular velocities. A processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to determine whether a vehicle is on a straight line path using one or more of the compass heading, the GPS heading, the yaw velocity, and the difference in tire angular velocities, activate the steering system if it is determined that the vehicle is on a straight line path, and disable the feature of the steering system if it is determined that the vehicle is not on a straight line path.

Abstract: The system and method described herein can be used to reduce the effects of periodic vibrations in an electric power steering (EPS) system for a vehicle, particularly, those that can lead to smooth road shake (SRS), torsional nibble, and/or other undesirable conditions. According to an exemplary embodiment, an electric motor is used to purposely generate counter-acting vibrations in the EPS system to cancel out the periodic vibrations generated by the wheel assemblies or corners.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle includes a steering mechanism coupling a steering wheel to a steerable element. A first actuator is in communication with a controller and operatively connected to the steering mechanism for assisting movement of the steerable element in response to a first signal from the controller. The system also includes a second actuator in communication with the controller, separate from the first actuator, and operatively connected to the steering mechanism between the first actuator and the steering wheel for superimposing torque in response to a second signal from the controller.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the output of a rotary sensor, such as that coupled to a vehicle wheel assembly. In one embodiment, the method detects periodic irregularities in the output of an incremental rotary sensor and uses those irregularities with a reference signal and a pattern comparison technique to determine the absolute angular position of the sensor.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle includes a steering mechanism coupling a steering wheel to a steerable element. A first actuator is in communication with a controller and operatively connected to the steering mechanism for assisting movement of the steerable element in response to a first signal from the controller. The system also includes a second actuator in communication with the controller, separate from the first actuator, and operatively connected to the steering mechanism between the first actuator and the steering wheel for superimposing torque in response to a second signal from the controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a dithered EPS system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a steering assembly having one or more sensors for sensing user steering input. A controller is responsive to the user steering input for providing a motor control signal. The apparatus also includes a dither signal generator providing a dither signal and a combiner for combining the motor control signal and the dither signal to provide a dithered motor control signal to control the motor of the apparatus. The methods include sensing user steering input via one or more sensors coupled to a steering assembly of a vehicle and generating a motor control signal responsive to the user steering input. A dither signal is generated and combined with the motor control signal to provide a dithered motor control signal that is used to control motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling steering in a vehicle having an electric power steering system (EPS) with a steering wheel, the EPS configured to attenuate smooth road shake (SRS) for the vehicle. A first relationship is determined between a torque of the steering wheel and motions of the steering wheel while free of SRS excitation. A second relationship is determined between the torque and the motions with SRS excitation. A mapping is generated based on the first relationship and the second relationship via a processor for use in adjusting steering control.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dual path hydraulic strut mount are provided, as are embodiments of a vehicular suspension system including a dual path hydraulic strut mount. In one embodiment, the dual path hydraulic strut mount includes an outer elastomeric module and an inner hydraulic module, which is mounted in the outer elastomeric module. The inner hydraulic module is configured to operate in an active damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount less than a threshold value and in a substantially inactive damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A cord reinforced resilient membrane (or diaphragm) having a high radial (transverse) stiffness and a relatively low axial stiffness, wherein the cord reinforced resilient membrane has adapatability for use in both hydraulic and conventional strut mounts, as well as other applications, and wherein the radial stiffness provided by the cords is directionally tunable for utilization in a particular application.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling steering in a vehicle having an electric power steering system (EPS) with a steering wheel, the EPS configured to attenuate smooth road shake (SRS) for the vehicle. A first relationship is determined between a torque of the steering wheel and motions of the steering wheel while free of SRS excitation. A second relationship is determined between the torque and the motions with SRS excitation. A mapping is generated based on the first relationship and the second relationship via a processor for use in adjusting steering control.

Abstract: A method to balance a wheel assembly. In a first aspect, corrective balance weights and position thereof are determined by a balancer and a closest corrective balance weight thereto is chosen, as well as one of higher and one of lower weight increment for each plane; chosen weights are paired to provide minimized residual and then attached to the planes of the wheel assembly. In a second aspect, imbalance weights are determined by a balancer; a pair of corrective balance weights, one at least ½ the determined imbalance weight are chosen, each separated by determined position angles to minimize residual and then respectively attached to the corrective balance plane(s) of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes an acoustic foam core disposed within a cavity of the tire for attenuating noise. The foam core defines an expanding radial force that biases the foam core against an inner surface of the tire to secure a position of the foam core relative to the tire. The foam core may include an annular base having a plurality of nodules disposed on an outer periphery of the annular base for engaging the inner surface of the tire and to position the annular base away from the inner surface of the tire. The foam core may further include a plurality of positioning tabs disposed on opposing axial ends of the annular base for engaging side walls of the tire to position the annular base away from the side walls of the tire.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor current for a vehicle having a motor and a steering system includes the steps of obtaining a torque signal from the steering system, calculating a torque, and adjusting the motor current based at least in part on the torque signal, the torque gain, or both.

Abstract: A method to reduce vehicular sensitivity to torsional smooth road shake (SRS) at the steering wheel provided by selectively increasing reverse driven-impedance of the steering system via an effective dynamic tuned vibration absorber comprising the existing power steering motor inertia supported on the torsional stiffness of the gearing to the rack in the case of a REPS system, or of the column rotary shaft in the case of a CEPS system.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a tire. The method includes impacting the tire with a force; measuring motion information; extracting the resonant frequencies from the measured motion information; and calculating stiffness characteristics of the tire from the resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating a steering system of a vehicle, in which the steering system includes a steering column, steering rack, and pinion. The rack is manipulated as the steering system is mounted to a testing system. The steering column is also manipulated as the steering system is mounted to the testing system. Data is collected from the manipulating of the rack and the dithering of the steering column for use in evaluating the steering system.