Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention a steer by wire steering system includes a deviation detection unit configured to determine a deviation signal that is indicative of a disturbance in one or more components coupled to a rack. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel notification module configured to generate a modification signal based on the deviation signal, in response to the deviation signal being detected for at least a predetermined duration. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel control module that generates an input command corresponding to a reference torque generated by a road wheel actuator, a feedback torque for a driver is generated based on the input command. The handwheel control module further modifies the input command using the modification signal, the modification providing a notification corresponding to the disturbance to the driver.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a vehicle includes at least one sensing device for detecting one or more obstacles proximate the vehicle. Also included is a model predictive control module for determining a predictive model path to avoid a collision with one or more objects during a lane change maneuver of the vehicle. Further included is a steering system receiving a steering angle command from the model predictive control module for automatically controlling the steering system to steer the vehicle along the predictive model path.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.

Abstract: A payload estimation system and a method for estimating payload estimation using electric power steering (EPS) signals are provided. In certain embodiments, the aspects of the invention may include: receiving, by a payload detection module, multiple EPS signals to generate an additional axle load factor, determining, by a blend factor table, a load blend factor according to the additional axle load factor, generating, by a first multiplier, a blended nominal base assist signal by combining the load blend factor and a handwheel torque signal processed by a nominal base assist module, generating, by a second multiplier, a blended highload base assist signal by combining the load blend factor and the handwheel torque signal processed by a highload base assist module, and combining, by a merge module, the blended nominal base assist and the blended highload base assist to generate a motor torque command for the EPS system.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of controlling one or more components of a vehicle includes receiving a reference steering command and one or more measurement signals related to a steering system of a vehicle, and estimating, by a processing device, a state of the steering system based on the one or more measurement signals, the steering system including at least a handwheel and a steering motor. The method also includes determining a maximum state achievable by the steering system at one or more times subsequent to receiving the one or more measurement signals, and controlling, by a control module, the steering system based on the steering reference command and the maximum state.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the technical solutions described herein, a method for generating torque in a steering system includes computing, by a controller, a lateral velocity of a vehicle using a vehicle model that uses a vehicle velocity, a surface friction estimate, a tire-angle, and at least one of a measured yaw rate from a yaw rate sensor and a lateral acceleration. The method further includes generating, by the controller, a torque command for providing assist torque to a driver, the torque command is based on the lateral velocity that is computed. The method further includes providing, by a motor, the assist torque, which is an amount of torque corresponding to the torque command.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention a steer by wire steering system includes a deviation detection unit configured to determine a deviation signal that is indicative of a disturbance in one or more components coupled to a rack. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel notification module configured to generate a modification signal based on the deviation signal, in response to the deviation signal being detected for at least a predetermined duration. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel control module that generates an input command corresponding to a reference torque generated by a road wheel actuator, a feedback torque for a driver is generated based on the input command. The handwheel control module further modifies the input command using the modification signal, the modification providing a notification corresponding to the disturbance to the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a controller in communication with at least one of an imaging system and a ranging system. At least one of the imaging system and the ranging system being arranged to monitor a distance and a speed of a forward vehicle and an incoming vehicle relative to a host vehicle. The controller is programmed to output for display a time left to pass the forward vehicle based on the distance and the speed of the forward vehicle and the incoming vehicle, responsive to indicia of an impending host vehicle maneuver to pass the forward vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a power steering system includes an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference of an estimated output vector and an output vector, a scaling module that calculates a feedback correction signal based on the error signal and an observer gain value, an extended state vector estimation module that determines an extended state vector estimate based on the feedback correction signal and a motor torque command, and a gain module that applies a gain to the extended state vector estimate to generate an estimated driver torque signal, the estimated driver torque signal is applied in control of the power steering system.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for disturbance feedforward compensation technique for improving the disturbance rejection properties of a closed loop position control system. According to one or more embodiments, a steering system includes a position controller that generates a torque command based on an input rack-position command and a measured position command. Further, a disturbance estimator that estimates a rack force acting on a rack, and an adder generates an adjusted torque command by adding the rack force that is estimated into the torque command. The steering system further includes an actuator that positions the rack according to the adjusted torque command.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for a payload detection module that detects payload using one or more steering system control signals and generates an axle load factor. An example payload detection module includes a rack torque module to determine a rack torque, a reference model module to determine a reference rack torque for the steering system based on a load scale factor, and a load factor calculation module to compute the axle load factor based on a difference between the rack torque and the reference rack torque. Further, a blend factor module determines a load blend factor according to the axle load factor. Further yet, a signal combiner combines a blended nominal base assist and a blended highload base assist according to the load blend factor, the combination modifying a motor torque command, the motor torque command being sent to a motor to generate assist torque.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments a control system for a steering system, includes a control module that estimates a tire load by performing a method that includes receiving, as an input torque, motor-torque that is generated by a motor of the steering system. The method further includes computing an efficiency factor for a gear of the steering system based on the input torque and a motor velocity. The method further includes adjusting the input torque by scaling the input torque with the efficiency factor. The method further includes estimating the tire load using the adjusted input torque as an input to a state observer for the steering system.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing driver warning using steering systems. An example steering system includes a motor control system that sends a command to a motor. The steering system further includes a fault monitoring system that sets a fault indication flag by monitoring one or more components of the steering system. The steering system further includes a driver warning feedback system that generates a warning injection signal based on and in response to the fault indication flag being set. Further, the motor control system generates a driver feedback by modifying the command to the motor using the warning injection signal, and sending the modified command to the motor.

Abstract: A control system for a power steering system includes an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference of an estimated output vector and an output vector, a scaling module that calculates a feedback correction signal based on the error signal and an observer gain value, an extended state vector estimation module that determines an extended state vector estimate based on the feedback correction signal and a motor torque command, and a gain module that applies a gain to the extended state vector estimate to generate an estimated driver torque signal, the estimated driver torque signal is applied in control of the power steering system.

Abstract: A system for determining driver torque includes a rack torque estimator module that determines an estimated rack torque value based on a motor angle, and a motor velocity. The system further includes a driver intent detection module that computes a disturbance torque scaling factor based on the estimated rack torque value. The system further includes a blend module that generates a motor torque assist command based on a scaled value of the estimated rack torque value using the disturbance torque scaling factor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method determines that one or more hand wheel torque sensors of the vehicle are not enabled. The method generates an assist torque command by estimating a lateral acceleration of the vehicle based on a hand wheel angle and determining an amount of assist torque based on the estimated lateral acceleration. The method controls the electric power steering system using the generated assist torque command.

Abstract: Technical solutions described herein include a steering system that includes a motor that generates assist torque, and a controller that generates a motor torque command for controlling an amount of the assist torque generated by the motor. The steering system further includes a remote object assist module that computes a steering intervention based on a proximity of a vehicle from a detected object. The controller changes the motor torque command using the steering intervention.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire and a surface of a ground with which the tire is in contact in response to determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors are not enabled. The method generates a steering assist torque command based on the estimated steering rack force. The method controls the electric power steering system using the steering assist torque command.

Abstract: Technical features are described for a steering system to compute a state flag value that is indicative of a vehicle motion state, such as an understeer or an oversteer condition. The steering system further generates a reference torque signal based on the state flag value, and generates a motor-assist torque signal based on the reference torque signal. The state flag value indicates the vehicle motion state in both a dynamic-state or a steady-state. Further, the steering system generates the reference torque signal based on the state flag value by blending a first rack force generated based on a vehicle-speed signal and motor angle, and a second rack force generated based on a motor torque and an input torque provided to a handwheel of the steering system.