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: 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 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: 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.

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 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.