With Electrical Control Patents (Class 180/422)
  • Patent number: 7264080
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Birsching, Scott E. Weiss, Sanket S. Amberkar
  • Patent number: 7249608
    Abstract: The flow control device comprises a supply passage (2) for supplying hydraulic fluid discharged by a pump (1) to a power steering output section (8); a variable throttle section (3) situated at an intermediate position of the supply passage (2); and a flow control valve (4) for returning the hydraulic fluid in the supply passage (2) to the pump inlet side, in accordance with a pressure differential between upstream and downstream of the variable throttle section (3). When the pump (1) is halted, the flow control valve (4) is impelled by a spring (13) and closes the variable throttle section (3). A throttle passage (51) is provided for connecting the upstream side and the downstream side of the variable throttle section with the supply passage (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuji Hayashi, Tsunefumi Arita, Hideyasu Ihira
  • Patent number: 7243570
    Abstract: A power-assisted steering with a superimposing gear mechanism enables safe steering behavior independently of the type of transmission used. A mechanical lock is mounted at a part of the transmission, preferably at the screw itself. In the event of a malfunction, this lock acts in addition to the deactivation of an electric motor and reliably prevents it from rotating further in that a locking pin engages elongated hole-shaped grooves. The shape of the grooves has the advantage that the locking pin need not be positioned very precisely. Allowances are thus made for installation tolerances. The development of noise is also reduced since it is very improbable that the locking pin, before it is locked in one of the grooves, would first of all come into contact with an intermediate bridge and thus produce an unpleasant clacking noise. In addition, a diagnostic circuit may be provided which checks the function of the lock before the vehicle is started up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kuehnhoefer, Rainer Biegert
  • Patent number: 7240760
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering gear assembly (20) which is connected with a steerable vehicle wheel (12). A first sensor (26) has an output signal which is a function of steering wheel position. A second sensor (28) has an output signal which is a function of steerable wheel position. A controller (30) is operable to provide an output signal when the steerable vehicle wheel position does not correspond to the steering wheel position. A motor (34) is connected with a differential gear mechanism (36). The motor (34) is operable in response to the output signal from the controller (30) to effect operation of the differential gear mechanism (36) to actuate the steering gear assembly (20) and change the position of the steerable vehicle wheel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 7234564
    Abstract: An electric assisted steering system for a motor driven road vehicle, having assist torque signal generating means which generates an assist torque signal for the steering system in response to the driver's applied torque and sensed vehicle speed to reduce the driver's steering effort. A yaw rate haptic torque is generated which is based upon vehicle rate error and is arranged to be added to the torque assist signal such that, when the yaw rate error builds up corresponding to increasing steering instability (e.g. understeer or oversteer) of the vehicle, the haptic torque added to the torque assist signal reduces the effective road reaction feedback sensed by the driver in advance of any actual vehicle stability loss whereby to allow the driver to correct appropriately in good time before terminal steering instability is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: James Owen Patrick Farrelly, Simon David Stevens, Andrew Dennis Barton
  • Patent number: 7213676
    Abstract: In a power steering system employing a power cylinder for steering assistance, hydraulic pressure is supplied through a pair of fluid lines to respective hydraulic chambers of the power cylinder. Check valves are provided to charge a hydraulic pressure in a communicating circuit intercommunicating the two fluid lines. Also provided is a solenoid-actuated directional control valve for relieving the hydraulic pressure charged in presence of a power steering system failure. An opening of the directional control valve varies depending on a solenoid attracting force and a pressure differential between the hydraulic pressure in the communicating circuit and hydraulic pressure in a reservoir. A relatively low exciting current is applied to the solenoid when the hydraulic pressure charged exceeds a predetermined pressure value. A relatively high exciting current is applied to the solenoid when the hydraulic pressure charged is less than or equal to the predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Soeda, Tadaharu Yokota
  • Patent number: 7210554
    Abstract: A power steering system includes a hydraulic power cylinder, a hydraulic pump for supplying an oil pressure to the hydraulic power cylinder, an electric motor for driving the hydraulic pump, a first detector for detecting a steering assist force to be applied to a steering wheel, a second detector for detecting an operating condition of the electric motor, and a controller. The controller includes a control section for controlling the electric motor based on the required steering assist force detected by the first detector so as to cause the hydraulic pump to produce a required oil pressure, and a determining section for determining based on the operating condition of the electric motor and the required steering assist force detected by the first detector whether or not the power steering system is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sugiyama, Yuji Torizawa
  • Patent number: 7185731
    Abstract: An electric assisted steering system for a motor driven road vehicle, having assist torque signal generating means which generates an assist torque signal for the steering system in response to the driver's applied torque and sensed vehicle speed to reduce the driver's steering effort. A yaw rate haptic torque is generated which is based upon vehicle rate error and is arranged to be added to the torque assist signal such that, when the yaw rate error builds up corresponding to increasing steering instability (e.g. understeer or oversteer) of the vehicle, the haptic torque added to the torque assist signal reduces the effective road reaction feedback sensed by the driver in advance of any actual vehicle stability loss whereby to allow the driver to correct appropriately in good time before terminal steering instability is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: James Owen Patrick Farrelly, Simon David Stevens, Andrew Dennis Barton
  • Patent number: 7174988
    Abstract: A power steering system includes a reversible-type oil pump supplying hydraulic fluid to first and second pressure chambers of a hydraulic power cylinder through first and second passages and having first and second discharge ports, and a branch passage conveying part of hydraulic fluid discharged from the discharge ports of the oil pump to the outside of the pressure chambers of the power cylinder, wherein the branch passage has a passage sectional area greater than a total leak sectional area of the oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Sasaki, Yuji Torizawa
  • Patent number: 7173392
    Abstract: A second member and a first member are applied with bias force to mechanically engage with each other at one of detent positions defining relative positions therebetween. An electric motor rotating a rotor therein when being supplied with electricity. Rotation of the rotor is transmitted to an output shaft manipulating the first member. A main controller controls the electric motor to switch the one of the plurality of detent positions. A rotor angle detecting unit detects rotor angle of the rotor. An output angle detecting unit detects output angle of the output shaft. The main controller includes a backlash calculating unit that calculates a backlash amount between the rotor and the first member in accordance with at least one of occurrence of a first region, in which change in the output angle is small with respect to change in the rotor angle, and a range of the rotor angle in the first region. The main controller incorporates the backlash amount into the control of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaaki Shinojima, Tomoyuki Kashiwagi, Kiyoshi Kimura, Hiroyuki Shintani, Masashi Hori
  • Patent number: 7168520
    Abstract: A servo-assisted steering system for a motor vehicle, in which the steering system includes a steering wheel for presetting a desired steering angle for the wheels of the motor vehicle, a driving-dynamics means for superimposing a correction angle on the steering angle, the correction angle being determined with a view toward increasing the driving stability and/or the driving comfort of the motor vehicle, and a servo drive. To keep the efficiency of the driving-dynamics means nearly constant over the entire road-speed range of the vehicle, the servo drive is implemented as a variable torque assistance system, the degree of torque assistance being dependent on the road speed of the vehicle and on at least one variable of the driving-dynamics means that characterizes the correction angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Weeber, Rainer Muenz
  • Patent number: 7159394
    Abstract: A steering speed-computing section (81) to differentiate a steering angle of a steering wheel from a steering angle sensor (18) to compute the steering speed signal, a low-pass filter (82) to cut high frequency components in the steering speed signal to output a correction steering speed signal, a switching section (87) to switch the cut-off frequency in the low-pass filter to be higher at the time of determining a high-speed steering condition, and a flow quantity-computing section (85) to compute a target flow quantity supplied to a power steering output section (8) based on the steering angle signal and the correction steering speed signal are provided to control a flow quantity of an operating oil supplied to the power steering output section (8) for the target flow quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsuda, Hideyasu Ihira, Tsunefumi Arita, Naoto Shima, Noboru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7155905
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a hydraulic power cylinder, and a reversible pump driven by a motor. A steering assist sensor senses a steering assist force provided to a steering wheel. A controller ascertains a pump discharge quantity of the reversible pump, and a cylinder volume variation of the pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder; and calculates a leak quantity of the reversible pump from a difference between the pump discharge quantity and the cylinder volume variation. The controller controls the motor to cause the motor to produce a desired fluid pressure in accordance with the steering assist force and the leak quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Kurata, Tadaharu Yokota
  • Patent number: 7100638
    Abstract: In a valve for a hydraulic power steering, comprising a first valve element and a second valve element which from a central position can be rotatably displaced relative to each other to a limited extent in the one or other direction in order to generate a steering assistance, it is provided that one of the valve elements can be rotatably displaced from a neutral position into the one or other direction relative to an associated shaft and that a coupling mechanism is provided which limits the displacement in rotation of the valve element relative to the shaft and urges the valve element into the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Boecker
  • Patent number: 7066295
    Abstract: When a variable value indicates that a steering characteristic is understeer, a control unit controls a variable transmission ratio device to change a second steering angle such that the greater the understeer indicated by the variable value, the smaller the steering angle of steered wheels relative to the turning angle of a steering wheel becomes. When the differentiated value of the variable value indicates that the understeer is changing to increase, a correction unit corrects the variable value such that the greater the degree of change of the understeer indicated by the differentiated value, the greater the understeer indicated by the variable value becomes. Hence, the attitude of a vehicle in understeer is stabilized with a simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Ohta, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato
  • Patent number: 7047996
    Abstract: A flow controlling apparatus to control flow rate of working fluid discharged from pump apparatus to a power steering apparatus including a electric variable throttle, a solenoid mechanism and a spool. The solenoid mechanism varies opening degree of the electric variable throttle based on a electric signal from electric controller. The spool slides in accordance with the differential pressure of the variable throttle due to increase of flow rate of working fluid discharged from pump apparatus so as to return excess working fluid to bypass passage connecting to a suction port of pump apparatus. The flow controlling apparatus further comprising means for increase flow rate of bypass flow to bypass passage when rotating speed of the pump apparatus exceed predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ikeda, Nobuyuki Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7044262
    Abstract: A power steering system and a method of charging the power steering system with hydraulic fluid are provided. Hydraulic fluid is selectively supplied to hydraulic chambers of a power cylinder via oil passages from a reversible pump, according to a steering torque. In addition, a bypass passage is provided between oil passages. A normally open switching valve is provided in the bypass passage. When the system is assembled, the hydraulic fluid is supplied from an oil reservoir via the switching valve or the reversible pump, and circulated in the hydraulic circuit. The air in the hydraulic circuit is discharged via the switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuo Otaki, Masakazu Kurata
  • Patent number: 7042179
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus using a brushless motor is disclosed. The electric power steering apparatus has a microcomputer for calculating a target current to the brushless motor on the basis of a torque signal outputted from a steering torque detecting part. The microcomputer has a table stored in ROM. The microcomputer calculates the angular position of the brushless motor by referring to the table on the basis of a signal outputted by a resolver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Mukai, Yasuhiro Nakano, Masanori Takagi, Hiroaki Horii, Osamu Tsurumiya, Fumihiro Morishita, Takashi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7035726
    Abstract: A steering characteristic control apparatus and method for a vehicle is disclosed which can carry out behavior control of the vehicle regarding a steering characteristic and so forth appropriately in accordance with the type of turning and the road surface situation. To this end, if the steering characteristic of the vehicle is placed into an oversteer or understeer state exceeding a reference level, then the control end condition when the steering characteristic is controlled to the neutral steer side by control of a braking mechanism is set in accordance with an estimated road surface ? state and the type of turning (steady turning or non-steady turning) of the vehicle. Upon steady turning, during traveling on a low ? road, it is set as the control end condition that the stability of the vehicle behavior is restored sufficiently, but during traveling on a high ? road, it is set as the condition that the stability of the vehicle behavior is restored to some degree so that the control can be ended rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventor: Kunio Sakata
  • Patent number: 7004281
    Abstract: A transmission ratio of a rotational angle of an output shaft to a rotational angle of an input shaft is adjustable by a transmission ratio changing mechanism when a coupling member is in a unlocked position. A resilient member urges the coupling member toward the locked position. A solenoid holds the coupling member at the unlocked position against a resilient force of the resilient member. A solenoid drive control apparatus applies a drive voltage to the solenoid to hold the coupling member positioned at the unlocked position and reduces the drive voltage through a voltage attenuation process before the coupling member finally reaches the locked position. During the voltage attenuation process, the solenoid produces an electromagnetic force yielding to the resilient force of the resilient member and decreases a shifting speed of the coupling member on the way to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 6968921
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes at least one wheel that pivots to define a steering angle, wherein the steering angle is defined, at least in part, by an input from the operator, and at least one sensor adapted to monitor the roll of a vehicle body and a height of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The steering system also includes a motor operatively connected to the wheel that supplements the input to the steering angle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and operatively connected to the motor, wherein the controller is adapted to adjust the supplementation of the input to the steering angle based upon the amount of roll of the vehicle body as monitored by the sensor, and adapted to supplement the steering angle when the amount of roll of the vehicle body as monitored by the sensor exceeds a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Turner, Ian Hulme
  • Patent number: 6945351
    Abstract: In a power steering apparatus, a basic-target-rotational-speed setting portion 42 sets a basic target rotational speed Rb of an electric motor 27 on the basis of the vehicle speed and the angular velocity of steering. A temperature-coefficient setting portion 43 sets a temperature coefficient ? which becomes smaller with an increase in the temperature. A target-rotational-speed setting portion 44 sets a target rotational speed R of the electric motor 27 on the basis of the formula R=?·Rb. A motor-drive control portion 45 controls a drive circuit 28 so that this target rotational speed R will be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 6945352
    Abstract: Apparatus and method is presented for enabling a power steering system comprising an accumulator, a reservoir, and an electronically controlled closed-center control valve assembly for selectively fluidly coupling the accumulator and reservoir to a double-acting power cylinder of a power steering system to function in the manner of a force-based power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Techo Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6926114
    Abstract: Disclosed herein in an exemplary embodiment is a method for providing variable assist in an active steering system of a vehicle. The method comprises: receiving an input signal that includes at least one of, a variable ratio command signal, a stability command signal, a hand wheel position signal, a vehicle speed signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, a signal indicative of an operator selected function, and a signal indicative a vehicle operating mode. The method also comprises: generating an assist command to an assist mechanism responsive to the input signal wherein the assist mechanism is operatively coupled to the differential actuator and a road wheel of the steering system to provide an assist torque responsive to the motion of the output shaft. The active steering system includes a hand wheel operatively coupled to an input of a differential actuator and a motor operatively coupled to the differential actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Bolourchi, Karen A. Boswell, John E. Dickinson, John D. Martens, Edward J. Bednar
  • Patent number: 6915194
    Abstract: The terminal voltages of respective phase coils of a steering shaft driving motor constituted by a three-phase brushless motor are separately detected. When the terminal voltages detected at at least three different conducting terminals u, v, and w are made Vu, Vv, and Vw, respectively, and the values when those detected values Vu, Vv, and Vw are arranged in order from largest to smallest voltage are made V1, V2, and V3, respectively, provided that V1?V2?V3, a calculation is performed to determine if V1+V3 coincides with 2*V2 within a predetermined allowable range, and a failure is determined based on results obtained from such a calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kodama, Masahiro Miyata
  • Patent number: 6913109
    Abstract: A vehicle steering control system is provided which is capable of reliably protecting a motor for driving a wheel steering shaft. In the system, a current sensor and a motor rotational speed detection section respectively detect a current applied to the steering shaft drive motor and the motor rotational speed of the steering shaft drive motor, and current inference means infers the motor current applied to the steering shaft drive motor based on the detected motor rotational speed. Abnormal judgment means compares the current inference value obtained by the current inference means with a current detection value indicated by the current sensor to judge whether the current sensor is normal or not. Abnormal judgment output means outputs the result of the abnormal judgment when the current sensor is judged to be abnormal. When a trouble occurs that the current sensor fails to operate normally due to the malfunction or the like, such a trouble can be recognized at the early stage of the malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kodama, Masahiro Miyata
  • Patent number: 6904999
    Abstract: A target relative rotational angle ??t which is created by a steering gear ratio change unit and which is formed by a lower steering shaft relative to an upper steering shaft is calculated on the basis of a steering angle ?, and a post-correction target relative rotational angle ??ta to be created by the steering gear ratio change unit is calculated on the basis of the target relative rotational angle ??t and a vehicle speed range that has been determined on the basis of a vehicle speed V. Thus, a target relative rotational angle in one lateral direction is so corrected as to be equal to or smaller than a difference between a permissible rotational angle to be defined by a spiral cable in the other lateral direction and a maximum possible rotational angle of the lower steering shaft in the other lateral direction. An electric motor is controlled on the basis of the post-correction target relative rotational angle ??ta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kojo, Junji Kawamuro, Masatoshi Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 6896091
    Abstract: A vehicular steering control apparatus controls the wheel steering amount of wheels based on a steering angle and an assist angle obtained by multiplying a steering speed by a gain. If the amount of power control differs between the left wheel and the right wheel, the value of gain is increased. The amount of power control includes, for example, the amount of braking control and the amount of drive control. If the assist angle is increased by increasing the gain, the magnitude of the wheel steering amount relative to the steering angle increases, so that a driver can correct the orientation of the vehicle body by performing a small amount of steering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kojo, Junji Kawamuro, Masatoshi Nakatsu, Masato Suzumura
  • Patent number: 6886657
    Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle, comprises a steering shaft connected to a steering mechanism. A hydraulic power cylinder is provided for assisting a steering effort of the steering mechanism. A reversible pump is provided having first and second discharge ports which are respectively connected through first and second hydraulic lines with two hydraulic pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder so that the two hydraulic pressure chambers are respectively provided with hydraulic pressures. A driving device is provided for driving the reversible pump to rightly and reversely rotate. A differential pressure regulating valve is disposed in the hydraulic circuit to maintain pressure at least in the first and second hydraulic lines at a level of atmospheric pressure or higher in an inoperative condition of the reversible pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaharu Yokota, Masakazu Kurata, Michiya Hiramoto, Yukio Sudo
  • Patent number: 6882913
    Abstract: An electrical system for increasing the amount of voltage available to an electric power steering motor under high demand conditions includes a vehicle speed sensor that ascertains the speed of the vehicle, a steering wheel sensor that ascertains the rotational speed of the vehicle steering wheel, and a steering voltage controller that receives the signals provided by the vehicle speed sensor and the steering wheel sensor and processes these input signals to increase the voltage furnished to the power steering system by causing at least one component that consumes electrical power in the vehicle to reduce power consumption, or by causing a component that produces electrical power to increase power output, or by a combination of reducing power consumption and increasing power production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Bullister, Timothy Gerard Offerle
  • Patent number: 6871127
    Abstract: A device for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system in a vehicle, in which redundantly generated sensor signals for regulating a steering motor and for a feedback actuator that transfers the restoring torques from the road to the driver via the steering wheel are received by a control device and plausibility checks of the sensor signals are performed therein and in an operatively associated monitoring module. Microcomputer module and monitoring module monitor each other reciprocally. An auxiliary level for the SbW steering system is monitored by the control device which, in the case of error, switches to this auxiliary level or a mechanical auxiliary level. To further increase safety, the steering wheel motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and by a steering wheel motor enable signal, and the steering motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and via a steering motor enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Dominke, Chi-Thuan Cao, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Bo Yuan, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Bernd Mueller, Werner Harter, Peter Blessing, Juergen Schuele, Herbert Lohner
  • Patent number: 6868934
    Abstract: A variable power assist apparatus for vehicles, such as automobiles. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, preferably electromechanical transducers, mounted to the hand-grippable region of a steering wheel. The sensors are connected to a computer that controls the power-assist device of the automobile, and produce a signal that is a function of grip pressure. The computer varies the amount of assist provided to the steering system as a function of at least the grip pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: John Ernest Dirrig
  • Patent number: 6856870
    Abstract: A power steering system capable of giving a driver no discomfort even when an incoming current instruction value sharply decreases. The power steering system comprises a controller C for determining a solenoid current instruction value SI on the basis of a current instruction value I1 in accordance with a steering angle supplied from a steering angle sensor, a current instruction value I2 in accordance with a steering angular velocity, and a current instruction value in accordance with a vehicle speed. The controller C comprises a delay control section for reducing the rate of decrease only when the incoming current instruction value sharply decreases and outputting the resulting current instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Shimizu, Tsunefumi Arita, Naoto Shima, Masashi Takai
  • Patent number: 6851507
    Abstract: A power steering system includes: a first drain passage for draining an oil pressure from a first oil passage, a second drain passage for draining the oil pressure from a second oil passage, and a pair of a first and second switch valves. When one of the first oil passage and the second oil passage is so pressurized by an operation of a reversible oil pump as to have an increased internal pressure, the pair of the first switch valve and the second switch valve allow the following: i) closing one of the first drain passage and the second drain passage which one is connected to the oil passage having the thus increased internal pressure, while ii) opening the other of the first drain passage and the second drain passage which other is connected to the oil passage that is so depressurized as to have a decreased internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Unisia Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Kurata, Tadaharu Yokota, Michiya Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 6843342
    Abstract: Provision of a power steering system capable of giving a driver no discomfort during high-speed travel. A controller calculates or stores a current instruction value I1 in accordance with a steering angle supplied from a steering angle sensor and a current instruction value I2 in accordance with a steering angular velocity; performs multiplication of the steering angle base current instruction value I1 and the steering angular velocity base current instruction value I2 by current instruction values I5, I6 set based on a vehicle speed, respectively; applies current instruction values I7, I8 in accordance with the vehicle speed serving as limit values to the corresponding steering angle base and steering angular velocity base current instruction values resulting from the multiplication; selects a larger value of the two current instruction values below the limit values; and determines the selected value as a solenoid current instruction value SI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Shimizu, Tsunofumi Arita, Naoto Shima, Masashi Takai
  • Patent number: 6843341
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power steering system having an adjusting mechanism for adjusting at least one vehicle wheel is disclosed herein. The system includes a steering wheel, a position sensor, and a drive system, such as a servo pump driven by an electric motor, to provide steering assistance a steering wheel and a position sensor. It is determined whether the adjusting mechanism is approaching an end position. If it is found that the adjusting mechanism is approaching the end position, then the drive system is controlled in such a way that it provides a diminishing steering assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai Grebe, Ulrich Wienecke, Jochen Gessat
  • Patent number: 6845309
    Abstract: A power steering system includes at least one motor to assist the operator of a vehicle in turning the wheels and steering the vehicle and at least one computer or microprocessor controller. One of the processors adjusts the motor assist torque to reduce the driver effort based on specified requirements defined by boost curves. A second microprocessor controller uses an algorithm to calculate the output of the power steering motor, and compare the relationship between the driver torque and the power assist torque. If the relationship between the two is out of specified bounds, then the power steering assist is deemed inappropriate and the power system may go to a power-off state to assure that the motor does not generate an undesirable torque that has not been requested by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Recker, Dale C. Killins, Ashraf A. Zeid, Robert A. Stopper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6845310
    Abstract: A power steering system capable of preventing an unnecessary standby flow produced in high speed travel. A controller C determines a basic current instruction value Id based on a current instruction value I1 in accordance with a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor 14, a current instruction value I2 in accordance with a steering angular velocity and current instruction values I5, I6 in accordance with a vehicle speed, and adds a standby current instruction value Is to the basic current instruction value Id, and outputs the resultant value of the addition as a solenoid current instruction value SI, and changes the standby current instruction value Is on the basis of the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Shimizu, Tsunefumi Arita, Naoto Shima, Masashi Takai
  • Publication number: 20040238260
    Abstract: Apparatus and method is presented for enabling a power steering system comprising an accumulator, a reservoir, and an electronically controlled closed-center control valve assembly for selectively fluidly coupling the accumulator and reservoir to a double-acting power cylinder of a power steering system to function in the manner of a force-based power steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20040226769
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of controlling flow outlet from the hydraulic pump to provide the level of flow required to execute the driver's steering command. This method of control reduces the average torque requirement of the hydraulic pump thereby improving fuel economy by unloading the vehicle's accessory drive, while also providing the variable assist power steering feature. The Fuel Efficient Power Steering (FEPS) control algorithm is an optimal method of regulating flow by actuating the electronic flow control device in the pump assembly. This electronic flow control device allows an increase in hydraulic fluid flow to the steering gear in order to increase the provided assist and to reduce hydraulic fluid flow to the steering gear to improve fuel economy, if no additional assist is needed. The calculation of the desired flow control device current is primarily based on vehicle speed and steering wheel rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Croughs, Andreas Holthoff, Peter Kocybik, Dale Killins, Steve Hung
  • Patent number: 6795762
    Abstract: A steering apparatus controller for an electric power steering apparatus, which includes an electric motor for generating assist torque for assisting steering of a steering wheel and the steering apparatus controller is designed to execute a feedback control of the applied drive voltage to the electric motor based on the detection result of the actual current that flows through the motor. A sensor detects the actual current to produce the detection result. When detecting an abnormal decrease of the drive voltage of the sensor, a voltage controller maintains the applied voltage to the electric motor at the voltage at a predetermined time before the drive voltage abnormally decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Itoh, Masahide Iwazawa, Kiyotaka Iwata, Yasushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6786296
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jürgen Guldner, Markus Krug, Slawomir Bakaus, Kai-Uwe Balszuweit, Hendrikus Smakman, Christian Ebner, Michael Gräf, Schedl Anton, Patrick Mescher, Robert Disser, Jeffrey Heinrichs, Scott Millsap, Brian Murray, Detlef Krukenkamp, Michael Byers
  • Patent number: 6782969
    Abstract: A vehicle steering control system is provided which is capable of reliably protecting a motor for driving a wheel steering shaft. The offset output characteristic of a current sensor for detecting the electric current applied to the steering shaft drive motor is actually measured prior to the actual use of the steering control system, and offset compensation information is prepared based on the measured value of the offset output characteristic for storage in an EEPROM. Further, an output value of the current sensor and an output value of a reference current measuring system are measured independently of each other with the supply voltage for use in measurement being set to a constant value. Then, current gain compensation information is prepared based on the output values so measured and is stored in the EEPROM. In the later actual use (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kodama, Masahiro Miyata
  • Patent number: 6779625
    Abstract: A steering damper has a pair of damper portions each including a variable throttle valve for restricting inflow from a power cylinder into a flow passage change-over valve, the variable throttle valve provided on the way to each cylinder passage and a first check valve for permitting inflow from the flow passage change-over valve into the power cylinder, the check valve connected in parallel with the variable throttle valve. The steering damper has a second check valve in communication to a tank between the first check valve and left and right chambers of the power cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Unisia JKC Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotetsu Sonoda, Tatsuya Harada
  • Patent number: 6779624
    Abstract: In a control unit for use with a power steering apparatus, there are provided and integrated into a single body, a main operating fluid feed device for supplying the hydraulic cylinder with an amount of oil corresponding to the amount of rotation of the steering wheel H, an auxiliary operating fluid feed device for supplying a correcting oil for adjusting drive of said hydraulic cylinder according to control signal, and a steering wheel angle sensor disposed around the rotating shaft of the steering wheel connected to said main operating fluid feed device, to detect steering wheel angle corresponding to the rotating position of said steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Atsutoshi Goto, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Yasuhiro Yuasa, Shuichi Tanaka, Shigeru Muraoka, Masakuni Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6778939
    Abstract: A rotational angle detector which comprises: a rotational angle detecting section which detects an angle detection signal correspondent to a rotational state of a rotor in a short cycle and feeds it to a control section; the control section which calculates the fed angle detection signal and sends an angle set signal through a controller to a controlled system; and a memory which stores the angle detection signal temporarily and also stores an allowable maximum angle value for the angle detection signal, wherein the control section makes the output cycle for the angle set signal longer than the detection cycle for the angle detection signal and counts the number of times when the angle detection signal as fed within the long output cycle for the angle detection signal is beyond the allowable maximum angle value and, if it decides that the count is beyond a preset number, outputs an abnormality signal instead of the angle set signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Sanpei, Hironori Kato
  • Patent number: 6776252
    Abstract: The present invention involves a steer-by-wire actuating system and method of actuating road wheels of a vehicle with the steer-by-wire actuating system. The system includes a steering linkage assembly including an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear unit linking the input shaft and the output shaft for linear movement of the output shaft to rotate the road wheels of the vehicle. The system further comprises a microcontroller for controlling an actuation strategy including normal and fault detection modes. The microcontroller is configured to receive a steering signal indicative of steering input at a steering interface. The system further includes first and second power electronic drivers in electrical communication with the microcontroller for electric power supply. The system further includes a first motor and a second motor for simultaneous operation with the steer-by-wire steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Andonian, Bing Zheng
  • Publication number: 20040093140
    Abstract: A vehicular motion control apparatus uses a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor capable of detecting an absolute rotational angle. This control apparatus has a yaw rate sensor. If a reference rotational position of the steering angle sensor has not been determined, the control apparatus calculates a plurality of target yaw rates on the basis of a plurality of steering angles estimated from a steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor, and controls motion of a vehicle on the basis of the minimum one of differences between the target yaw rates and an actual yaw rate. The control apparatus determines a reference rotational position of the steering angle sensor on the basis of a steering angle corresponding to the minimum one of the differences, and then calculates a steering angle for motion control on the basis of the detected steering angle and the determined reference rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shoji Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20040060765
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors include a steering angle sensor (35) and a yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) is coupled to the steering angle sensor (35) and the yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) determines a desired yaw rate in response to the steering wheel angle input, determines a corrected steering wheel input as a function of the desired yaw rate of an ideal vehicle and the vehicle yaw rate, and controls the road wheel steer angle (front, rear, or both) steering actuator in response to the corrected steering wheel input, the yaw rate and the modified steering wheel input, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, yaw rate, steering wheel angle, and road wheel angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Glenn Mattson, Douglas Scott Rhode, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 6698542
    Abstract: The steering device for vehicle changes the steering angle by transmitting the movements of the steering electrical actuator to the vehicle wheels. When the vehicle is steered in the stationary state, the hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the steering assistance force generating hydraulic actuator from the pump within the hydraulic pressure imparting unit. When the vehicle is not steered in the stationary state, the hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the brake device from the pump via the hydraulic pressure distribution unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Sumimoto (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Shirou Nakano, Takanobu Takamatsu, Masaya Segawa, Ryouhei Hayama, Kazuhiro Kato