Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle implements a steering anti-catch (SAC) algorithm that reduces a superimposition angle added to the steering wheel angle in order to reduce occurrence of steering catch. The superimposition angle may be determined according to an AFS system. The reduction of the superimposition angle according to the SAC algorithm is amplified when the driver is steering away from a center position, the vehicle speed is below a threshold, and a voltage for powering the power steering system is below a threshold. The amount by which the superimposition angle is reduced may be limited to a maximum reduction and may be subject to a limit in its rate of change as well.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to correct clear vision errors in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor and a second sensor to measure a current position of a steering column and a current position of a steering wheel in a vehicle steering system. The example apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to map the current position to an offset, and an active steering system to apply the offset to adjust the current position of the steering wheel to a nominal position of the steering wheel to compensate for a clear vision error.

Abstract: A system for correcting a steering offset generated by an active steering system of a vehicle includes a vehicle comprising a pair of steered road wheels. The system also includes a controller configured to direct a change to an angle of the steered road wheels when a determined steering state of the vehicle is a steering slowly state.

Abstract: A system for correcting a steering offset generated by an active steering system of a vehicle may include a steering wheel angle sensor and a controller configured to receive a signal from the steering wheel angle sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a steering state based on the signal, and, subject to the determined steering state, calculate an offset reduction factor based on the signal to determine a new steering offset.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing and/or calibrating an adaptive steering system are disclosed. One method may include rotating a hub that is configured to engage a steering shaft over a predetermined range of hub angles using a gear and an internal electric motor in response to a control signal. A torque required to rotate the hub as a function of the hub angles may be determined, as well as whether the torque is within a predefined torque window. The method may be used to analyze the overall friction in the adaptive steering wheel assembly. In one embodiment, the method may be performed with the steering wheel assembly fully assembled and the internal electric motor covered and inaccessible. The torque may be determined by calculating the torque based on a current draw of the internal electric motor.

Abstract: A method for detecting steering misalignments in an adaptive steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptive steering system has a steering wheel angle sensor for detecting a value representative of a steering wheel angle, an adaptive angle unit for detecting a value representative of an adaptive angle, and a wheel angle detection unit for detecting a value representative of a wheel angle. The method including detecting a value representative of the steering wheel angle, detecting a value representative of the adaptive angle, detecting or determining a value representative of the wheel angle, and computing a comparison value.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle implements a steering anti-catch (SAC) algorithm that reduces a superimposition angle added to the steering wheel angle in order to reduce occurrence of steering catch. The superimposition angle may be determined according to an AFS system. The reduction of the superimposition angle according to the SAC algorithm is amplified when the driver is steering away from a center position, the vehicle speed is below a threshold, and a voltage for powering the power steering system is below a threshold. The amount by which the superimposition angle is reduced may be limited to a maximum reduction and may be subject to a limit in its rate of change as well.

Abstract: Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a gear and a plate fixed to the gear. The gear is driving by a motor for providing relative rotation between a steering wheel and steering shaft of the vehicle in an adaptive front steering system. The system includes a solenoid including a coil and a pin moveable relative to the coil to engage the plate based on a signal. A sensor is configured to detect a change in current through the coil associated with initial movement of the pin relative to the coil. The system includes a controller programmed to change the duty cycle signal in response to the change in current to slow movement of the pin to reduce or eliminate a clicking noise associated with the pin seating in an extended position or retracted position.