Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Kaufmann
Timothy W. Kaufmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11091148Abstract: A method for determining whether hands of an operator of a vehicle are positioned on a hand wheel of the vehicle is provided. The method generates a first frequency content below a first frequency from a hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a second frequency content above a second frequency from the first frequency content of the hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a hands on wheel (HOW) estimate signal based on the first frequency content and the second frequency content by determining a first contribution of the first frequency content to the HOW estimate signal, determining a second contribution of the second frequency content to the HOW estimate signal, and combining the first contribution and the second contribution to generate the HOW estimate signal. The method causes a system in a vehicle to operate based on the HOW estimate signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Daniel W. Fuesz, Michael K. Hales
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Patent number: 10464594Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10442441Abstract: An embodiment of a control system includes a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel, and a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Frank P. Lubischer, Patrik M. Ryne
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Patent number: 10173724Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10155531Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann, Kathryn L. Pattok, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Publication number: 20180354501Abstract: A method for determining whether hands of an operator of a vehicle are positioned on a hand wheel of the vehicle is provided. The method generates a first frequency content below a first frequency from a hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a second frequency content above a second frequency from the first frequency content of the hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a hands on wheel (HOW) estimate signal based on the first frequency content and the second frequency content by determining a first contribution of the first frequency content to the HOW estimate signal, determining a second contribution of the second frequency content to the HOW estimate signal, and combining the first contribution and the second contribution to generate the HOW estimate signal. The method causes a system in a vehicle to operate based on the HOW estimate signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Daniel W. Fuesz, Michael K. Hales
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Patent number: 10029676Abstract: A method for determining whether hands of an operator of a vehicle are positioned on a hand wheel of the vehicle is provided. The method generates a first frequency content below a first frequency from a hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a second frequency content above a second frequency from the hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a hands on wheel (HOW) estimate signal based on the first frequency content and the second frequency content. The method causes a system in a vehicle to operate based on the HOW estimate signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Daniel W. Fuesz, Michael K. Hales
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Publication number: 20170066473Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 9540044Abstract: A method of controlling a power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method determines a yaw rate of the vehicle. The method generates a hand wheel angle signal that indicates a position of a hand wheel of the vehicle based on the yaw rate. The method controls the power steering system by using the hand wheel angle signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Tao Yang
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Publication number: 20160375770Abstract: A steering assembly that is provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a display interface and a controller. The display interface is disposed on a steering wheel and is configured to display an image. The controller is in communication with the display interface and an advanced driver assist system. The controller is configured to operate the display interface to display the image in response to activation of the advanced driver assist system and orient the image based on a rotational position of the steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Richard K. Riefe, Frank P. Lubischer, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20160362117Abstract: An embodiment of a control system includes a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel, and a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Frank P. Lubischer, Patrik M. Ryne
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Publication number: 20160288825Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 9409595Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire of the vehicle 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 of the vehicle 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 9308932Abstract: A steering system providing an assist torque to a handwheel is provided, and includes a proportional gain module and a torque command module. The proportional gain module determines a proportional gain value. The proportional gain value is scheduled as a function of a lateral position error and at least one of the following: a near field heading angle, a far field heading angle, a curvature of the lane, and a lateral position of the vehicle. The torque command module determines the torque assist based on the proportional gain value.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Scott A. Millsap, Farhad Bolourchi
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Publication number: 20160075371Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire of the vehicle 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 of the vehicle 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20150210273Abstract: A method for determining whether hands of an operator of a vehicle are positioned on a hand wheel of the vehicle is provided. The method generates a first frequency content below a first frequency from a hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a second frequency content above a second frequency from the hand wheel torque signal. The method generates a hands on wheel (HOW) estimate signal based on the first frequency content and the second frequency content. The method causes a system in a vehicle to operate based on the HOW estimate signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Daniel W. Fuesz, Michael K. Hales
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Publication number: 20150142269Abstract: A method of controlling a power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method determines a yaw rate of the vehicle. The method generates a hand wheel angle signal that indicates a position of a hand wheel of the vehicle based on the yaw rate. The method controls the power steering system by using the hand wheel angle signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Tao Yang
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Patent number: 8930081Abstract: A system for indicating an impending vehicle maneuver within a predetermined distance is provided. The system includes a navigational system and a control module. The navigational system receives a vehicle destination and determines a current geographical vehicle position. The navigational system determines if the impending vehicle maneuver is required within the predetermined distance based on the vehicle destination and the current geographical vehicle position. The control module is in communication with the navigational system and a handwheel. The control module sends a signal that creates a steering assist torque in the handwheel if the impending vehicle maneuver is required.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Farhad Bolourchi, Timothy W. Kaufmann, Ashok Chandy
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Publication number: 20140324294Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann, Kathryn L. Pattok, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Publication number: 20140046547Abstract: A steering system providing an assist torque to a handwheel is provided, and includes a proportional gain module and a torque command module. The proportional gain module determines a proportional gain value. The proportional gain value is scheduled as a function of a lateral position error and at least one of the following: a near field heading angle, a far field heading angle, a curvature of the lane, and a lateral position of the vehicle. The torque command module determines the torque assist based on the proportional gain value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy W. Kaufmann, Scott A. Millsap, Farhad Bolourchi