Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assisting the parking of a vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle position relative to an obstacle. When the relative position meets a first set of criteria, a first torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the first direction to cue an operator of the vehicle to turn the steering wheel in the first direction. When the relative position meets a second set of criteria, a second torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the second direction, opposite to the first direction to cue the operator to turn the steering wheel in the second direction. A system for assisting the parking of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assisting the parking of a vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle position relative to an obstacle. When the relative position meets a first set of criteria, a first torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the first direction to cue an operator of the vehicle to turn the steering wheel in the first direction. When the relative position meets a second set of criteria, a second torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the second direction, opposite to the first direction to cue the operator to turn the steering wheel in the second direction. A system for assisting the parking of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an absolute position of a motor of an active front steering system of the vehicle are provided. In particular, the systems and methods accurately determine an absolute position of the motor upon startup of the active front steering system.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing data utilized in a redundant, closed-loop feedback control system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring a plurality of control nodes within the control system, with each of the plurality of control nodes transmitting and receiving data through a common communication bus. At each of the plurality of control nodes during a given control loop time T=N, the receipt of externally generated data with respect to each control node is verified, the externally generated data having been generated during a preceding control loop time T=N?1. At each of the plurality of control nodes during the given control loop time T=N, output control data is calculated using the externally generated data. During the given control loop time T=N, the calculated output control data from each individual control node is further transmitted over the communication bus to be later utilized by other control nodes during a subsequent control loop time T=N+1.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wire control system for watercraft comprising: a direction control system including a rudder position sensor; a helm control system including at least one of; a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and an optional torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque sensor signal. The system optionally including a watercraft speed sensor and a master control unit in operable communication with the watercraft speed sensor, the helm control system, and the direction control system. The master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the watercraft speed signal, the helm torque sensor signal and the helm position signal. The master control unit includes a torque control process for generating the helm command signal, based on the helm torque sensor signal, the helm position signal and the watercraft speed signal.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering system is controlled by sensing torque in a steering shaft at a point along said steering shaft between a hand wheel and a mechanical connection to an electric motor, wherein the sensing includes sensing a magnetic field direction and intensity.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wire control system for watercraft comprising: a direction control system including a rudder position sensor; a helm control system including at least one of; a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and an optional torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque sensor signal. The system optionally including a watercraft speed sensor and a master control unit in operable communication with the watercraft speed sensor, the helm control system, and the direction control system. The master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the watercraft speed signal, the helm torque sensor signal and the helm position signal. The master control unit includes a torque control process for generating the helm command signal, based on the helm torque sensor signal, the helm position signal and the watercraft speed signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is steer-by-wire control systems comprising: a road wheel unit responsive to a road wheel command signal including a road wheel position sensor and a road wheel force sensor. The steer-by-wire control system also includes a steering wheel unit responsive to a steering wheel torque command signal, including a steering wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire control system further includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a master control unit operatively connected to the vehicle speed sensor, the steering wheel unit, and the road wheel unit. The steering wheel unit is also responsive to the steering wheel position signal.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering handle having a center position, a steer-by-wire system, and a steer feel control system. The steer-by-wire system senses the position of the steering handle and controls the steering angle of a steerable vehicle wheel as a function of the position of the steering handle. The steer feel control system includes a motor that is operatively associated with the steering handle, and has first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, the steer feel control system applies a force to the steering handle as a function of vehicle's operating condition, and in the second mode, the motor may be shorted. The steer feel control system may also include a spring that biases the steering handle towards to the center position. A method is used to provide steering feel to a steering handle of a vehicle having a steer-by-wire system and a steer feel control system, when the steer feel control system fails.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle includes two subsystems. The first subsystem connects a steering wheel with a mechanical link adapted to turn a first wheel of the vehicle. The second subsystem has an electro-mechanical actuator adapted to turn a second wheel of the vehicle. An electronic controller adapted to receive information indicative of the positions of the steering wheel and the first wheel controls the electro-mechanical actuator to thereby control the position of the second wheel.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wire control system for watercraft comprising: a direction control system including a rudder position sensor; a helm control system including at least one of; a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and a torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque sensor signal. The system also includes a watercraft speed sensor and a master control unit in operable communication with the watercraft speed sensor, the helm control system, and the direction control system. The master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the watercraft speed signal, the helm torque sensor signal and the helm position signal. The master control unit includes a torque control process for generating the helm command signal, based on the helm torque sensor signal, the helm position signal and the watercraft speed signal.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing data utilized in a redundant, closed-loop feedback control system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring a plurality of control nodes within the control system, with each of the plurality of control nodes transmitting and receiving data through a common communication bus. At each of the plurality of control nodes during a given control loop time T=N, the receipt of externally generated data with respect to each control node is verified, the externally generated data having been generated during a preceding control loop time T=N−1. At each of the plurality of control nodes during the given control loop time T=N, output control data is calculated using the externally generated data.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering system is controlled by sensing torque in a steering shaft at a point along said steering shaft between a hand wheel and a mechanical connection to an electric motor, wherein the sensing includes sensing a magnetic field direction and intensity.

Abstract: An automotive steer-by-wire system is disclosed that includes a first network. The first network connects a first set of controllers for controlling a first set of motors. The steer-by-wire system further includes a second network that is independent of the first network and connects a second set of controllers for controlling a second set of motors. The steer-by-wire system includes a third network that connects the first set of controllers and the second set of controllers for controlling the first or second set of motors if the first or second network is inoperative, whereby information is transmitted via the third network independent of the first network and the second network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two exemplary steer-by-wire control systems comprising: a road wheel unit responsive to a road wheel command signal including a road wheel position sensor and a road wheel force sensor. The steer-by-wire control system also includes a steering wheel unit responsive to a steering wheel torque command signal, including a steering wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire control system further includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a master control unit operatively connected to the vehicle speed sensor, the steering wheel unit, and the road wheel unit. The road wheel unit is also responsive to the road wheel force signal and/or the steering wheel unit is also responsive to the steering wheel position signal.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system includes a steering wheel; a steering wheel sensor coupled to the steering wheel for sensing the position of the steering wheel and producing a signal indicative of the position of the steering wheel; a controller in signal communication with the steering wheel sensor for receiving the signal indicative of the position of the steering wheel from the steering wheel sensor and producing a signal indicative of a desired steering wheel feedback torque; and a tactile feedback device in signal communication with the controller for receiving the signal indicative of the desired steering wheel feedback torque and providing a corresponding torque to the steering wheel.