Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cooling system for a system, such as an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system and the components of such system, such as a motor. The cooling system includes a temperature sensor coupled to an electric motor of the EPAS system, one or more fluid reservoirs, and a fluid transfer device coupled to the motor and to the first fluid reservoirs. The fluid transfer device extends along a length of the motor. The cooling system further includes a pump coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid transfer device, a control unit coupled to the sensor and the pump. The control unit is configured to activate the pump in response to temperature detected by the sensor being greater than or equal to a first threshold motor temperature. The pump transfers the fluid in the fluid reservoirs to the fluid transfer device for absorbing the heat of the motor. The fluid transfer device is configured to contain the transferred fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cooling system for a system, such as an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system and the components of such system, such as a motor. The cooling system includes a temperature sensor coupled to an electric motor of the EPAS system, one or more fluid reservoirs, and a fluid transfer device coupled to the motor and to the first fluid reservoirs. The fluid transfer device extends along a length of the motor. The cooling system further includes a pump coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid transfer device, a control unit coupled to the sensor and the pump. The control unit is configured to activate the pump in response to temperature detected by the sensor being greater than or equal to a first threshold motor temperature. The pump transfers the fluid in the fluid reservoirs to the fluid transfer device for absorbing the heat of the motor. The fluid transfer device is configured to contain the transferred fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for limiting a load applied to a rotatable shaft joint. An example apparatus comprises a comparator to, based on at least one of an angle of a rotatable shaft joint or a torque applied to the joint, determine whether at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds a threshold, and a limiter to limit at least one of the angle or the torque when at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to modify a steering assist of a hydraulic power steering system. A disclosed method includes calculating modifier values based on sensor data of a vehicle, calculating a torque modifier value based on the modifier values, and generating a final torque assist based on the torque modifier value and a base torque assist, the final torque assist to be applied to a steering system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering mechanism having a piezoelectric element to adjust component clearance and preload based on steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. The piezoelectric element positioned in the steering mechanism for electric adjustment so that the clearance and preload can be adjusted electrically in response to steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. This arrangement allows for low preload and low friction when the vehicle is being driven over smooth road conditions. When a rough road condition is detected both clearance and preload can be electrically increased to minimize noise. The disclosed inventive concept may find application in a variety of steering mechanisms to minimize or eliminate NVH when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces. Without limitation, the piezoelectric element may be provided in rack and pinion electric power assisted steering systems or in worm and wheel (steering column) electric power assisted steering systems.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to modify a steering assist of a hydraulic power steering system. A disclosed method includes calculating modifier values based on sensor data of a vehicle, calculating a torque modifier value based on the modifier values, and generating a final torque assist based on the torque modifier value and a base torque assist, the final torque assist to be applied to a steering system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to individually control brake force applied to steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is configured to release a braking force from a first brake associated with a first steered wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, and the controller is further configured to subsequently release a braking force from a second brake of a second steered wheel when the vehicle remains stationary after braking force is released from the first wheel. Methods relate to distributing braking force of a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for limiting a load applied to a rotatable shaft joint. An example apparatus comprises a comparator to, based on at least one of an angle of a rotatable shaft joint or a torque applied to the joint, determine whether at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds a threshold, and a limiter to limit at least one of the angle or the torque when at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.

Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to individually control brake force applied to steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is configured to release a braking force from a first brake associated with a first steered wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, and the controller is further configured to subsequently release a braking force from a second brake of a second steered wheel when the vehicle remains stationary after braking force is released from the first wheel. Methods relate to distributing braking force of a vehicle.

Abstract: A steering mechanism having a piezoelectric element to adjust component clearance and preload based on steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. The piezoelectric element positioned in the steering mechanism for electric adjustment so that the clearance and preload can be adjusted electrically in response to steering inputs, road inputs, and time in service. This arrangement allows for low preload and low friction when the vehicle is being driven over smooth road conditions. When a rough road condition is detected both clearance and preload can be electrically increased to minimize noise. The disclosed inventive concept may find application in a variety of steering mechanisms to minimize or eliminate NVH when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces. Without limitation, the piezoelectric element may be provided in rack and pinion electric power assisted steering systems or in worm and wheel (steering column) electric power assisted steering systems.