Abstract: A method for passive damping in a steer-by-wire handwheel actuator. The method includes winding a first coil around a first tooth of a motor, winding a second coil around a first tooth of the motor, and shorting the second coil to one of an internal aspect of the motor and an external aspect of the motor.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for diagnosing an input power supply providing power to a motor. A method includes: generating a sinusoidal stimulus signal; applying, using the input power supply, the sinusoidal stimulus signal to the motor; measuring a response to the sinusoidal stimulus signal; determining a degraded condition of the input power supply based on the response to the sinusoidal stimulus signal; and performing an action in response to determining the degraded condition of the input power supply.

Abstract: A apparatus may be configured to select a number of windings for a motor of a handwheel actuator; short a subset of windings of the number of windings; determine a resistance value for the motor; and selectively adjust, based on a number of windings associated with the subset of windings and to tune a damping characteristic associated with the handwheel actuator, the resistance value by varying at least one of (i) a number of winding turns associates with the subset of windings, (ii) a wire diameter of associated with the subset of windings, (iii) a number of wires associated with the subset of windings and (iv) a material associated with the subset of windings.

Abstract: A single circuit board assembly for forming a vehicle-motor interface includes a first side of a board with logic modules located thereon. The single circuit board assembly also includes a second side of the board with power modules located thereon. The board includes a first plurality of layers and a second plurality of layers, and a dielectric layer disposed between adjacent layers of the first plurality of layers and/or the second plurality of layers, the dielectric layer comprising polytronics material.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor structure disposed within a motor housing, wherein a second rotor end has a plurality of axially stacked laminations. The electric machine further includes a motor position sensor system which includes a first plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the first plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system also includes a second plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the second plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system further includes a plurality of motor sensors axially spaced from the second rotor end, and a plurality of sensor magnets axially spaced from the second rotor end and the plurality of motor sensors.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for diagnosing an input power supply providing power to a motor. A method includes: generating a sinusoidal stimulus signal; applying, using the input power supply, the sinusoidal stimulus signal to the motor; measuring a response to the sinusoidal stimulus signal; determining a degraded condition of the input power supply based on the response to the sinusoidal stimulus signal; and performing an action in response to determining the degraded condition of the input power supply.

Abstract: A method includes receiving motor velocity data, and, in response to a determination that the motor velocity data indicates that a velocity of a motor is below a threshold velocity: calculating a thermal metric corresponding to a phase imbalance of the motor; identifying at least one thermal mitigation parameter based on the thermal metric; generating at least one thermal management motor position command based on the at least one thermal mitigation parameter; and selectively controlling the motor according to the thermal management motor position command.

Abstract: A method for a steer by wire steering system. The method includes determining a difference between a commanded steering ratio and an achieved steering ratio and determining whether the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than a threshold. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than the threshold, adjusting the commanded steering ratio to be equal to the achieved steering ratio. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than the threshold, selectively adjusting a bandwidth of a filter based on at least one vehicle characteristic of an associated vehicle and adjusting, using the filter, the commanded steering ratio to be equal to a desired steering ratio.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an input power supply providing power to a motor includes: applying, using the input power supply, a power stimulus to the motor; measuring a response to the power stimulus; calculating, based on the response to the power stimulus, a metric indicative of a status of the input power supply; determining a degraded condition of the input power supply based on the metric indicative of the status of the input power supply; and performing an action in response to determining a degraded condition of the input power supply. The action may include one or more of: limiting an output power supplied to the motor; generating a diagnostic trouble code; and/or notifying an operator of the degraded condition of the input power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for an electronic power steering system includes a printed circuit board and a first sensor. The printed circuit board comprising: a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first processor section extending in a first direction on the first surface; a second processor section extending in a second direction opposite the first direction on the second surface; and a void disposed between the first surface and the second surface, the first processor section and the second processor section being separated by the void.

Abstract: A method for a steer by wire steering system. The method includes determining a difference between a commanded steering ratio and an achieved steering ratio and determining whether the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than a threshold. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than the threshold, adjusting the commanded steering ratio to be equal to the achieved steering ratio. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the difference between the commanded steering ratio and the achieved steering ratio is greater than the threshold, selectively adjusting a bandwidth of a filter based on at least one vehicle characteristic of an associated vehicle and adjusting, using the filter, the commanded steering ratio to be equal to a desired steering ratio.

Abstract: A method of estimating a motor velocity in an electric power steering system that includes a motor is provided. The method generates motor position data by sampling an original motor position signal at an irregular sampling rate. The method estimates a motor velocity by performing a regression analysis on the motor position data.

Abstract: A method of calculating a motor velocity in an electric power steering system comprises receiving a plurality of motor position signals from a motor position sensor of the electronic power steering system, calculating a plurality of angle difference based on the motor position signals prior to performing any filtering operations on the motor position signals, performing a linear regression analysis on the angle differences to predict an angle difference, and calculating a motor velocity based on the predicted angle difference.

Abstract: A current reference generator to control a brushless motor in a motor control system is provided. The current reference generator includes a locate peak torque module that determines a maximum possible torque and a direct axis current that corresponds to the maximum possible torque based on motor parameters, a maximum voltage, a motor velocity of the brushless motor, and a sign of a torque command. A limit torque command module limits the torque command to the maximum possible torque. A locate minimum current module determines a value of the direct axis current that results in a minimum motor current. A solve current reference module generates a reference vector that satisfies the torque command as limited by the direct axis current that corresponds to the maximum possible torque and the direct axis current that results in the minimum motor current.

Abstract: A method of estimating a motor velocity in an electric power steering system that includes a motor is provided. The method generates motor position data by sampling an original motor position signal at an irregular sampling rate. The method estimates a motor velocity by performing a regression analysis on the motor position data.

Abstract: A current reference generator to control a brushless motor in a motor control system is provided. The current reference generator includes a locate peak torque module that determines a maximum possible torque and a direct axis current that corresponds to the maximum possible torque based on motor parameters, a maximum voltage, a motor velocity of the brushless motor, and a sign of a torque command. A limit torque command module limits the torque command to the maximum possible torque. A locate minimum current module determines a value of the direct axis current that results in a minimum motor current. A solve current reference module generates a reference vector that satisfies the torque command as limited by the direct axis current that corresponds to the maximum possible torque and the direct axis current that results in the minimum motor current.

Abstract: A method of calculating a motor velocity in an electric power steering system comprises receiving a plurality of motor position signals from a motor position sensor of the electronic power steering system, calculating a plurality of angle difference based on the motor position signals prior to performing any filtering operations on the motor position signals, performing a linear regression analysis on the angle differences to predict an angle difference, and calculating a motor velocity based on the predicted angle difference.

Abstract: A method for controlling the response of an electric steering system by implementing damping for over-speed conditions is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining the velocity of an electric motor within the electric steering system, and determining a voltage limit value, wherein the voltage limit value is calculated as a function of the velocity of the electric motor. The method further includes the step of associating the voltage limit value with a motor voltage command in order to produce a limited voltage command, and applying the limited voltage command to the motor in order to provide a braking torque to the motor.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle includes a motor for providing assistance in turning the wheels of the vehicle. The motor is electrically connected to a controller. The controller includes a power device, such as a power transistor, electrically connected to the motor to variably provide electric power to the motor as needed. The controller also includes a gate drive device electrically connected to the power device for regulating operation the power device. A shutdown mechanism is electrically connected between the gate drive device and a power input. In the event of a fault, the shutdown mechanism isolates electrical power from the gate drive device. This prevents the power device from providing electric power to the power steering motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.