Abstract: Disclosed is a steering system comprising a housing, a steering rack which is movably arranged and extends out, of a housing end section of the housing on at least one side of the housing with a steering rack end portion, at least one tie rod attached to the steering rack with a ball joint, at least one bellows covering the steering rack end portion of the steering rack, the ball joint and a section of the tie rod adjacent to the ball joint, the bellows having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the housing end section and the second end being attached to the tie rod at a tie rod attachment section, wherein a rolling diaphragm is arranged inside of the bellows, wherein a first end of the rolling diaphragm is attached to the housing end section and a second end of the rolling diaphragm is attached to the ball joint or the steering rack end portion, and wherein a rolling bend of the rolling diaphragm is movable between the housing and the second end of the bellows.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for estimating stability margins in a steer-by-wire system are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method for open-loop steer-by-wire (SbW) system linearization includes linearizing, by a processing device, an open-loop SbW system at different operating points. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, an open-loop transfer function of the op en-loop SbW system. The method further includes estimating, by the processing device, margins of stability for the open-loop SbW system. The method further includes implementing the margins of stability into a vehicle to reduce instability in a steering system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle steering system includes providing a vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, providing at least one controller in communication with the vehicle sensor and the vehicle steering system, receiving, by the controller, sensor data from the vehicle sensor indicative of the vehicle characteristic, determining, by the controller, a steering system condition from the sensor data, and generating and transmitting, by the controller, a control signal to the steering system based on the determined steering system condition.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes the steps of providing a vehicle steering system including a steering wheel, providing a control system in electronic communication with the vehicle steering system, the control system including a controller, determining a rotational position change, generating a control signal indicating the rotational position change, and adjusting a position of the steering wheel from a first position to a second position based on the control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for damage risk indication of a steering system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor system and a processing device. The sensor system is configured to detect a velocity of a servo unit of a steering system of the vehicle. The processing device is configured to determine an acceleration value of the servo unit and to compare the acceleration value, velocity values and thresholds of the servo unit with an acceleration value threshold, and to generate a warning signal if the acceleration value of the servo unit exceeds the acceleration value threshold. Thus, a damage risk is determined and the vehicle can be subjected to further damage investigation.

Abstract: A vehicle and a steering system of a vehicle. The steering system includes a steering column emulator that generates an electrical driving signal in response to a driver input, a steering rack assembly that receives the electrical driving signal from the steering column emulator and controls steering of the vehicle as indicated by the received signal, and a backup system. The backup system provides a backup electrical driving signal to the steering rack assembly upon a failure of the steering column emulator, and the steering rack assembly steers the vehicle as indicated by the backup electrical driving signal upon the failure of the steering column emulator.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for estimating stability margins in a steer-by-wire system are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method for open-loop steer-by-wire (SbW) system linearization includes linearizing, by a processing device, an open-loop SbW system at different operating points. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, an open-loop transfer function of the op en-loop SbW system. The method further includes estimating, by the processing device, margins of stability for the open-loop SbW system. The method further includes implementing the margins of stability into a vehicle to reduce instability in a steering system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for damage risk indication of a steering system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor system and a processing device. The sensor system is configured to detect a velocity of a servo unit of a steering system of the vehicle. The processing device is configured to determine an acceleration value of the servo unit and to compare the acceleration value, velocity values and thresholds of the servo unit with an acceleration value threshold, and to generate a warning signal if the acceleration value of the servo unit exceeds the acceleration value threshold. Thus, a damage risk is determined and the vehicle can be subjected to further damage investigation.

Abstract: A vehicle and a steering system of a vehicle. The steering system includes a steering column emulator that generates an electrical driving signal in response to a driver input, a steering rack assembly that receives the electrical driving signal from the steering column emulator and controls steering of the vehicle as indicated by the received signal, and a backup system. The backup system provides a backup electrical driving signal to the steering rack assembly upon a failure of the steering column emulator, and the steering rack assembly steers the vehicle as indicated by the backup electrical driving signal upon the failure of the steering column emulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the state of charge of a battery of a vehicle are provided. A battery monitor having a processor and a memory is configured to monitor an operating voltage and a loaded voltage of the battery. An electric power steering system is configured to be supplied with power from the battery. The battery monitor is configured to calculate a voltage drop between the operating voltage and the loaded voltage when the battery is under load from the electric power steering system. The battery monitor compares the voltage drop to a predetermined voltage drop and determines that the state of charge of the battery is low when the voltage drop is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage drop. The battery monitor instructs the electric power steering system to operate in a limited state when the state of charge of the battery is low.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a steering assist unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data, and third accelerometer data then comparing and calculating differences between the first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data and the third accelerometer data to determine a relative movement values for the second and third locations. The relative movement value represents the contraction or expansion of separate systems as they independently move at or near the second and third locations. The method further includes outputting a control signal to control the travel of the steering assist unit based on the relative movement values.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a steering system of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving torque signal data corresponding to torque signals received from a torque sensor associated with the steering system; processing the torque signal data to determine an average torque value; determining a health status of an alignment of the steering system based on the average torque value; and generating at least one of a signal, a message, and a code to notify a user based on the health status.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a steering assist unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data, and third accelerometer data then comparing and calculating differences between the first accelerometer data, second accelerometer data and the third accelerometer data to determine a relative movement values for the second and third locations. The relative movement value represents the contraction or expansion of separate systems as they independently move at or near the second and third locations. The method further includes outputting a control signal to control the travel of the steering assist unit based on the relative movement values.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for steering system integrity testing includes positioning the vehicle with the second traction wheel within a first constraint; applying mechanical load to the first traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first traction wheel within a second constraint; applying mechanical load to the second traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first and second traction wheels on respective first and second friction surfaces; applying mechanical load to the first and second traction wheels; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; transmitting the data to a processor; and determining, via the processor, a health status of the steering system based on the data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a steering system of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving torque signal data corresponding to torque signals received from a torque sensor associated with the steering system; processing the torque signal data to determine an average torque value; determining a health status of an alignment of the steering system based on the average torque value; and generating at least one of a signal, a message, and a code to notify a user based on the health status.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the state of charge of a battery of a vehicle are provided. A battery monitor having a processor and a memory is configured to monitor an operating voltage and a loaded voltage of the battery. An electric power steering system is configured to be supplied with power from the battery. The battery monitor is configured to calculate a voltage drop between the operating voltage and the loaded voltage when the battery is under load from the electric power steering system. The battery monitor compares the voltage drop to a predetermined voltage drop and determines that the state of charge of the battery is low when the voltage drop is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage drop. The battery monitor instructs the electric power steering system to operate in a limited state when the state of charge of the battery is low.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A brake device is operable in a first phase to brake the vehicle when a power steering controller is in a first mode and operable in a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. A main controller is in communication with a friction device to signal the friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the brake device is in the first phase, and signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the brake device is in the second phase to allow the brake device to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power steering system equipped with rack travel end stops which prevent damage in the event of an over-speed condition. An abutment body is attached to each end of the power steering rack in externally concentric relation thereto so as to abut a respective housing abutment of the rack housing in the event of an over-speed condition of an electric power steering system and thereby eliminating tie rod assembly abutment with the housing.