Abstract: A steer-by-wire control system comprising a master control system, a road wheel system, and a hand wheel system is disclosed. The road wheel system is connected to the master control system and includes a road wheel position sensor and a rack force sensor. The hand wheel system is connected to the master control system and the road wheel system and includes a hand wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire system also includes a vehicle speed sensor for producing a vehicle speed signal. In addition a hand wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the hand wheel system and a road wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the road wheel system are utilized. The hand wheel system and road wheel system each include a configurable control topology.

Abstract: A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. The system includes a dual redundant communication channel system having a first communication channel controlled by the first microprocessor of each device controller and a second communication channel controlled by the second microprocessor of each device controller.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire control system comprising a master control system, a road wheel system, and a hand wheel system is disclosed. The road wheel system is connected to the master control system and includes a road wheel position sensor and a rack force sensor. The hand wheel system is connected to the master control system and the road wheel system and includes a hand wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire system also includes a vehicle speed sensor for producing a vehicle speed signal. In addition a hand wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the hand wheel system and a road wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the road wheel system are utilized. The hand wheel system and road wheel system each include a configurable control topology.

Abstract: A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. At least one sensor is coupled to each first control member for sensing a parameter of the first control member and responsively generating a sensor signal. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. Each device controller is adapted to receive sensor signals and provide these sensor signals to the first and second microprocessors.

Abstract: An adaptive, variable effort power steering system is responsive signals from one or more low friction road surface vehicle handling controls which indicate when the system has become active in modifying handling, and thus indicates the existence of a near limit or at limit vehicle handling situation. Such controls include anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control systems (TCS) and integrated chassis control systems (ICCS). When such a handling limit signal is received, the power steering system responds by decreasing steering assist to provide a more "manual" steering feel as long as the handling limit situation is indicated. The handling limit signal may be a binary signal, indicating activity or no activity of an anti-lock brake system, traction control system or a chassis control system such a yaw rate control.