Patents by Inventor Lodewijk Wijffels
Lodewijk Wijffels 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).
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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
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Patent number: 9567002Abstract: A steering locking system is provided for a motor vehicle that includes a pin, a locking disc to receive the pin, an actuation device, and a control unit. The actuation device is configured to control movement of the pin. The control unit is configured to control rotation of the locking disc and movement of the pin via the actuation device. Further, the control unit is configured to permit movement of the pin into the pocket after the occurrence of a predetermined event. The steering locking system can further include a motor operatively associated with the locking disc. The control unit may be configured to control the motor at a first power level to maintain the motor in a state of readiness and to control the motor at a second power level, different from the first power level, when the locking system detects a torque applied to the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jeremy Alan Rawlings, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Joshua Guerra
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Patent number: 9550519Abstract: A method for operating an active steering system of a vehicle, in which a ratio between a wheel steer angle and a steering wheel angle specified by the driver can be modified by superimposition of a superimposition angle. The method comprises detecting an offset between a requested motor angle and an actual motor angle, and reducing the offset between the requested motor angle and the actual motor angle using a reduction rate that is selected as a function of at least one input variable specified by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jitendra Shah, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu
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Patent number: 9499195Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured to auto stop and auto start. The vehicle includes an active front steering system with an electric actuator. A controller operates the electric actuator at a current limit that is less than a requested current of the electric actuator in response to a request to change a steering ratio by an amount that results in the requested current being greater than the current limit during an engine auto stop event. The current limit may decrease from the requested current to a predetermined limit after transitioning to the engine auto stop event. The current limit may increase from the predetermined limit to the requested current after transitioning from the engine auto stop event.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Douglas Malone, William Najib Mansur, Attila Benak, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
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Publication number: 20160257338Abstract: A steering locking system is provided for a motor vehicle that includes a pin, a locking disc to receive the pin, an actuation device, and a control unit. The actuation device is configured to control movement of the pin. The control unit is configured to control rotation of the locking disc and movement of the pin via the actuation device. Further, the control unit is configured to permit movement of the pin into the pocket after the occurrence of a predetermined event. The steering locking system can further include a motor operatively associated with the locking disc. The control unit may be configured to control the motor at a first power level to maintain the motor in a state of readiness and to control the motor at a second power level, different from the first power level, when the locking system detects a torque applied to the steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jeremy Alan RAWLINGS, Oliver NEHLS, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Joshua GUERRA
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Publication number: 20160200351Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured to auto stop and auto start. The vehicle includes an active front steering system with an electric actuator. A controller operates the electric actuator at a current limit that is less than a requested current of the electric actuator in response to a request to change a steering ratio by an amount that results in the requested current being greater than the current limit during an engine auto stop event. The current limit may decrease from the requested current to a predetermined limit after transitioning to the engine auto stop event. The current limit may increase from the predetermined limit to the requested current after transitioning from the engine auto stop event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Mark Douglas Malone, William Najib Mansur, Attila Benak, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
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Publication number: 20160152265Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Sergio CODONESU, Oliver NEHLS, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Jitendra SHAH
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Patent number: 9183179Abstract: Stabilization method and system for performing dynamic chassis control in a vehicle. An electronic stability control (ESC) includes an ESC sensor set; at least one chassis actuator; and a dynamic controller operably connected to at the least one chassis actuator. The ESC sensor set generates one or more sensor fault signals. Then, the method employs a dynamic controller to evaluate the signals corresponding to the sensor fault at least after a first fast fault signal, or a second slow fault signal. If the first fast fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for at least one of partially or completely temporarily switching off the at least one chassis actuator, while maintaining ESC in an active state. Conversely, if the second slow fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for temporarily switching off the ESC.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Peter Zegelaar, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu
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Patent number: 9038760Abstract: A vehicle including an active front steer system including a locking mechanism having a solenoid actuated locking pin and a spring for biasing the pin toward an extended or locked position for engaging a locking disc of the active front steer system wherein the active front steer system further includes a current sensor for sensing the motion of the pin of the solenoid when the engine of the vehicle is shut down and pulse width modulated current to the solenoid is reduced and when the pin movement is sensed, the pulse width modulated current is increased (fed forward duty cycle) to reduce the movement of the pin to reduce the noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc. The end of the pin and/or the locking disc may also include an insulating material to further reduce any remaining noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Oliver Nehls, Jeremy Alan Rawlings, Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels
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Publication number: 20150129344Abstract: A vehicle including an active front steer system including a locking mechanism having a solenoid actuated locking pin and a spring for biasing the pin toward an extended or locked position for engaging a locking disc of the active front steer system wherein the active front steer system further includes a current sensor for sensing the motion of the pin of the solenoid when the engine of the vehicle is shut down and pulse width modulated current to the solenoid is reduced and when the pin movement is sensed, the pulse width modulated current is increased (fed forward duty cycle) to reduce the movement of the pin to reduce the noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc. The end of the pin and/or the locking disc may also include an insulating material to further reduce any remaining noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Oliver Nehls, Jeremy Alan Rawlings, Joshua Guerra, Lodewijk Wijffels
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Patent number: 9031745Abstract: A system for correcting steering wheel angle errors of a motor vehicle of the present disclosure may include a steering wheel angle sensor, an actuator angle sensor, and at least one of a wheel speed sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The system may further include a controller configured to receive signals from the steering wheel angle sensor, actuator angle sensor, and at least one of the wheel speed sensor and lateral acceleration sensor. The controller may be configured to calculate a correction angle based on the signals, and adjust a steering wheel angle of a steering wheel, as observed by a driver of the motor vehicle, based on the correction angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Miguel Bahena, Attila Benak, Andrew Brown, Sergio Condonesu, Darrel Alan Recker, Lodewijk Wijffels
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Publication number: 20140200770Abstract: A system for correcting steering wheel angle errors of a motor vehicle of the present disclosure may include a steering wheel angle sensor, an actuator angle sensor, and at least one of a wheel speed sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The system may further include a controller configured to receive signals from the steering wheel angle sensor, actuator angle sensor, and at least one of the wheel speed sensor and lateral acceleration sensor. The controller may be configured to calculate a correction angle based on the signals, and adjust a steering wheel angle of a steering wheel, as observed by a driver of the motor vehicle, based on the correction angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Miguel BAHENA, Attila BENAK, Andrew BROWN, Sergio CONDONESU, Darrel Alan RECKER, Lodewijk WIJFFELS
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Publication number: 20140046539Abstract: Stabilization method and system for performing dynamic chassis control in a vehicle. An electronic stability control (ESC) includes an ESC sensor set; at least one chassis actuator; and a dynamic controller operably connected to at the least one chassis actuator. The ESC sensor set generates one or more sensor fault signals. Then, the method employs a dynamic controller to evaluate the signals corresponding to the sensor fault at least after a first fast fault signal, or a second slow fault signal. If the first fast fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for at least one of partially or completely temporarily switching off the at least one chassis actuator, while maintaining ESC in an active state. Conversely, if the second slow fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for temporarily switching off the ESC.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: LODEWIJK WIJFFELS, PETER ZEGELAAR, OLIVER NEHLS, SERGIO CODONESU
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Publication number: 20130317700Abstract: A method for operating an active steering system of a vehicle, in which a ratio between a wheel steer angle and a steering wheel angle specified by the driver can be modified by superimposition of a superimposition angle. The method comprises detecting an offset between a requested motor angle and an actual motor angle, and reducing the offset between the requested motor angle and the actual motor angle using a reduction rate that is selected as a function of at least one input variable specified by the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jitendra SHAH, Oliver NEHLS, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Sergio CODONESU
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Patent number: 8515622Abstract: A method for operating an active steering system of a vehicle, in which a ratio between a wheel steer angle and a steering wheel angle specified by the driver can be modified by superimposition of a superimposition angle. The method comprises detecting an offset between a requested motor angle and an actual motor angle, and reducing the offset between the requested motor angle and the actual motor angle using a reduction rate that is selected as a function of at least one input variable specified by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jitendra Shah, Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu
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Patent number: 8326496Abstract: A motion control device of a vehicle comprises: a steering angle controller which controls a steering angle of a steered wheel so that an actual turning controlling variable becomes a target turning controlling variable; and a braking force controller which controls a vehicle braking force so that the actual turning controlling variable becomes the target turning controlling variable. The control of the steering angle controller is stopped by detecting a timing with which the braking force controller detects an oversteering state of the vehicle to start a braking force control.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Yasutake, Fuminori Kato, Jouji Nishioka, Tomohiko Adachi, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
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Publication number: 20120286774Abstract: A steering angle sensor having a first part engaged to and rotatable with a steering system and a second part providing a code. The second part immovably engages the steering system and the first part rotates about the second part to scan the code. An electrical connection between the steering system and the second part transmits an output signal upon the first part scanning the code, the output signal being representative of a steering angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Oliver Nehls, Lodewijk Wijffels, Sergio Codonesu, Peter W.A. Zegelaar
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Patent number: 8234043Abstract: A motion control device of a vehicle comprises: a steering angle controller which controls a steering angle of a steering wheel so that an actual turning control variable becomes a target turning control variable; and a braking force controller which controls a vehicle braking force so that the actual turning control variable becomes the target turning control variable. The braking force controller selectively uses, as a steering angle signal for control, a first steering angle signal which reflects a steering angle compensation quantity compensated by the steering angle controller at the time of the oversteering of the vehicle is reflected, and a second steering angle signal which does not reflect the steering angle compensation quantity.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Yasutake, Fuminori Kato, Jouji Nishioka, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
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Patent number: 8131427Abstract: A method for resetting a steering wheel of a motor vehicle having electric power assisted steering, with a resetting torque being determined in order to move the steering wheel from a diffracted steering position to a neutral position. The resetting torque differs for low and high friction values wherein a signal produced in response to a determined yaw rate is introduced into the determination of the resetting torque. The contribution of the yaw-rate based resetting torque to the total resetting torque increases as the vehicle speed increases.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls, Anja Damman, Sergio Codonesu
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Patent number: 8103411Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for electrically controlled assistance to a vehicle. In order to stabilize a vehicle in the event of oversteering, the invention provides that a nominal yaw damping torque is determined and is multiplied by an oversteer signal such that an additional torque is produced which is added, via an actuator in an electrically assisted power steering system, to its nominal torque, and is introduced into a vehicle steering system.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Lodewijk Wijffels, Anja Damman, Oliver Nehls, Sergio Codonesu