Condition Modulated Patents (Class 180/446)
  • Patent number: 10858039
    Abstract: A steering control unit includes a microcomputer that controls the driving of a motor on the basis of a steering torque to cause the motor to produce an assist force that is supplied to a steering mechanism as power to steer front wheels. The microcomputer calculates, on the basis of the steering torque, an assist component indicative of the assist force that the motor needs to produce. The microcomputer obtains vertical forces related to the front wheels that are calculated by hub units that rotatably support the front wheels and have front wheel sensors for detecting forces applied to the front wheels. The microcomputer compensates the assist component by using the obtained vertical forces, to reduce a change in load on a driver that is caused when vertical loads on the front wheels change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10836422
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric power steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein a steering wheel angle is specified by a steering handle as a measurement for a desired wheel steering angle for at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein an electric servo drive having an electric motor provides steering assistance, and wherein an additional restoring force is provided to compensate for increased internal friction in the power steering system based upon temperature, wherein the additional restoring force is reduced based upon a desired steering direction that is detected at the steering handle. Also disclosed is an associated electric power steering system, an associated computer program, and an associated control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Jens Zientek, Johannes Maria Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10829151
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing intentional steering movements of a driver for influencing an intentional driving path of a motor vehicle from corrective steering movements of the driver as a reaction to unexpected deviations of the motor vehicle from the intentional driving path including ascertaining an instantaneous undisturbed motion of the vehicle along the driving path and calculating a reference value for a steering angle (SAR) corresponding to the ascertained, undisturbed motion of the motor vehicle or a reference value for a steering velocity (SVR) corresponding to the ascertained, undisturbed motion of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Schiebahn, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Helmuth Bosch
  • Patent number: 10826423
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a first driving control circuit (an MCU, a driving circuit, an input circuit, a power management IC) and a second driving control circuit (an MCU, a driving circuit, an input circuit, a power management IC). The first driving control circuit and the second driving control circuit are configured to drive a corresponding winding group of winding groups of a motor, and have a master mode for outputting a synchronous trigger signal in synchronization with driving of the corresponding winding group and a slave mode for synchronizing the driving of the corresponding winding group with an input synchronous trigger signal. When an error has occurred in an operation of the first driving control circuit in the master mode, the second driving control circuit switches an operation mode of the second driving control circuit from the slave mode to the master mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawai, Shunsuke Nakano
  • Patent number: 10787197
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus includes a microcomputer configured to control driving of a motor based on a steering torque so as to generate, for a steering mechanism, an assist force as power for turning front wheels. The microcomputer calculates an assist component indicating the assist force to be generated in the motor based on the steering torque, acquires steered moments about axes extending in a vertical direction of the front wheels from hub units that rotatably support the front wheels and include front wheel sensors configured to detect forces applied to the front wheels, respectively, and compensates for the assist component by using the acquired steered moments so as to generate, in the motor, a vibration suppressing force for suppressing a reverse input vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10780913
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor of an electric power assisted steering system, the motor having a plurality of phases, the method comprising taking as an input an input signal indicative of a desired assistance torque and determining from the desired assistance torque a voltage to be applied to each of the phases of the motor, in which the step of determining the voltage to be applied to each of the phases comprises limiting the voltage determined to be applied to each of the phases of the motor dependent upon the voltage provided by a power supply to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Automotive UK Limited
    Inventors: Christopher David Dixon, Connel Brett Williams, Birk Junghanns
  • Patent number: 10759471
    Abstract: The power steering device is configured to: apply a required assist force only from a first electric motor until a predetermined period elapses, which is a period from a time point at which a driver starts steering to a time point at which a second-electric-motor drive start condition, which is a condition for starting drive of a second electric motor, is satisfied; when the predetermined period has elapsed, apply the required assist force from the first electric motor and a hydraulic actuator; and adjust an assist force by the first electric motor so that the assist force by the first electric motor is a value obtained by subtracting an assist force by the hydraulic actuator from the required assist force. As a result, the device can be downsized, and a sufficient required assist force can be generated from an initial stage of the steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masao Ueyama
  • Patent number: 10752286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering control apparatus and a steering control method for removing an inwardly caused disturbance or outwardly caused disturbance with respect to a vehicle. It is possible to efficiently remove a disturbance of a steering control apparatus which is generated due to various causes by: confirming a disturbance cause based on estimated frequencies estimated based on three factors that affect the steering control apparatus (i.e., a first estimated frequency estimated based on the estimation of a rack force, a second estimated frequency estimated based on a steering torque signal, and a third estimated frequency estimated based on a vehicle wheel rotational speed); then determining a compensation rate, which varies depending on whether the disturbance is an internally caused disturbance or an externally caused disturbance; and then applying the compensation rate to a steering current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sang Jin Ko
  • Patent number: 10737716
    Abstract: A steering control method for a vehicle, may include determining, by a controller, whether or not a vehicle is in a high-speed turning driving condition based on factors reflecting a driving state of the vehicle; determining, by the controller, whether or not a rapid acceleration is occurring in the vehicle when the controller determines that the vehicle is in the high-speed turning driving condition; and providing, by the controller, restoration compensation torque to a steering restoration direction of the vehicle by use of a steering motor when the controller determines that the rapid acceleration is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dae Suk Jung
  • Patent number: 10720863
    Abstract: An electric power tool may include a three-phase brushless motor configured to drive a tool, a gear reducer provided between the motor and the tool. The gear reducer is configured to selectively change a reduction ratio from the motor to the tool between a first reduction ratio and a second reduction ratio. The electric power tool may further include a motor controller configured to drive the motor with rectangular waves. The motor controller is configured to selectively change a conduction angle of each rectangular wave between at least a first conduction angle and a second conduction angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itsuku Kato, Katsuna Hayashi, Kouichi Takeda, Hidenori Nagasaka, Takeshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10703406
    Abstract: A method in a vehicle for determining road properties is described. The method includes: acquiring vehicle acceleration in x, y and z directions; acquiring a rack force; acquiring a wheel speed for each of all four wheels; determining a wheel speed energy based on the wheel speed; determining a wheel slip of all four wheels of the vehicle based on a respective wheel speed of the wheel; determining an acceleration energy in each of the x, y and z-directions based on the vehicle acceleration and the vehicle speed; determining a rack force energy based on the detected rack force; and determining road properties based on the wheel speed energy, rack force energy and vehicle speed. A system is also described for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henrik Gullven, Tony Gustafsson, Mats Skold
  • Patent number: 10703405
    Abstract: A steering control device that can more appropriately transmit a road-surface reaction force to a steering wheel is provided. The steering control device feedback controls a steering angle to a target steering angle that is a target value of the steering angle. The steering control device includes an estimated axial force computation circuit that computes an estimated axial force so as to reflect a road-surface reaction force in a reaction force generated by a reaction force actuator. The estimated axial force computation circuit computes the estimated axial force by causing a friction compensation amount computation circuit and an efficiency compensation gain computation circuit to compensate an initial estimated axial force computed by an initial estimated axial force computation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kodera
  • Patent number: 10689028
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an MDPS system may include an information detection device configured to detect information for steering assistance and pull-compensation control; an MDPS basic logic device configured to determine a steering-assist control value from the detected information; a state determination device configured wherein whether conditions corresponding to a non-steering state, a straight-driving state, a deceleration state, and a state in which pulling of the vehicle occurs are satisfied is determined based on the detected information; a compensation logic device configured wherein when the conditions are satisfied, a pull-compensation control value is determined from the detected information using stored configuration information and a control target value is determined using the steering-assist control value and the pull-compensation control value; and a motor control logic device configured to control an operation of a steering motor depending on the control target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dae Suk Jung
  • Patent number: 10670658
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for identifying an electrical line interruption during operation of a drive system (20), which comprises two parallel-connected DC motors (21, 41), which are mechanically coupled to one another by means of a part that is to be driven, a driver for driving the two parallel-connected DC motors (21, 41) and a measuring device for detecting different electrical variables of the drive system (20). The measuring device comprises a rotational speed determination apparatus (32) for determining the rotational speed of the two DC motors (21, 41) and for supplying a piece of rotational speed information representing the rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Kessler
  • Patent number: 10668948
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a steering wheel, an input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a torsion bar, an electric motor, a torque detector that detects a torsion bar torque applied to the torsion bar, a rotational angle detector that detects a rotational angle of the electric motor, and a microcomputer. The microcomputer is configured to estimate a driver torque applied to the steering wheel using at least (i) the torsion bar torque detected by the torque detector, (ii) the rotational angle of the electric motor detected by the rotational angle detector, and (iii) a physical model that is constructed with a torsion bar viscosity and a torsion bar rigidity, and determine whether the steering wheel is operated in a hands-on state or a hands-off state based on the estimated driver torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Wilhelm, Tsutomu Tamura, Robert Fuchs, Maxime Moreillon
  • Patent number: 10673308
    Abstract: A drive motor in which a torque sensor is arranged on an outer circumference of a shaft, includes a rotor, a rotor shaft arranged inside the rotor, and an output shaft that is joined to the rotor shaft by a spline joint and outputs rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output side. The torque sensor is arranged on an output side of the spline joint in a range not overlapping with the spline joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Arimura, Daisuke Hoshino, Tatsuya Ohzu, Shingo Soma, Yosuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10661824
    Abstract: A steering system with a reduced number of parts is provided. A driven pulley has a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion, and a connection portion that connects the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion to each other. The radially inner portion is provided with a plurality of slits at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A plurality of retention portions are provided at portions of the radially inner portion between the slits. Lug portions are provided on the inner surface of the distal ends of the retention portions. A groove is provided in the outer peripheral surface of a ball screw nut. The lug portions of the retention portions are fitted with the groove of the ball screw nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Asakura, Takuya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10647346
    Abstract: A worm shaft (46) has a first end section (52) and a second end section (54) extending from a worm section (50). A first drive system (98) is in driving engagement with the first end section (52) of the worm shaft (46), and a second drive system (104) is in driving engagement with the second end section (54) of the worm shaft (46) for redundantly steering a vehicle. The worm section (50) of the worm shaft (46) is disposed between the first drive system (98) disposed on the first end section (52) of the worm shaft (46) and the second drive system (104) disposed on the second end section (54) of the worm shaft (46). A lost motion connection (82) is disposed between an input shaft (76) and said worm shaft (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC
    Inventors: Haimian Cai, Tianyi Qiu, Siqi Zuo
  • Patent number: 10618551
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gerard Offerle, Michael Puleri
  • Patent number: 10604184
    Abstract: A system for assisting in reversing of a vehicle-trailer combination includes a vehicle steering system and a controller. The controller outputs a steering signal based on a control parameter to the steering system to maintain the trailer along a commanded backing path, determines an error between a measured behavior of a characteristic of the vehicle-trailer combination and a predicted behavior of the characteristic, and adjusts the control parameter based on the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Jacob Mattern, Brian George Buss, Joseph M. Raad, Tyler Daavettila
  • Patent number: 10601301
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device includes a detection circuit unit, a protection circuit unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The detection circuit unit includes: a voltage detection circuit and a current detection circuit that generate, as analog signals, detection values indicating a current and a voltage at a predetermined position of a vehicle-mounted power supply device. An A/D converter converts the detection value into a digital signal. The protection circuit unit performs a predetermined protection operation on the vehicle-mounted power supply device if a voltage or a current of an input path or an output path of a voltage converting unit has an abnormal value. The abnormality determination unit makes at least one of the detection circuit unit and the protection circuit unit perform a predetermined diagnosis operation, and determines, based on a result of the diagnosis operation, whether the detection circuit unit and the protection circuit unit is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriko Terada
  • Patent number: 10597070
    Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein enable detection of traction steer using measured and expected values of steering system data, such as, for example and without limitation, motor current, motor torque, motor position, motor velocity, steering wheel angle, and steering column torque. In some embodiments, the measured steering system data is compared to expected signal values, based on vehicle operating conditions, to determine if the vehicle is experiencing a traction steer event. In some embodiments, using known relationships between two or more steering system signals, a traction steer event is identified if an unexpected relationship is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David T. De Carteret, Gregory K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10589784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an imaging system having a memory with a historical localization dictionary database having geo-located driving image sequences, such that each reference image is applied to a threshold to produce a binary representation. A sensor to acquire a sequence of input images of a dynamic scene. An encoder to determine, for each input image in the sequence, a histogram of each input image indicating a number of vertical edges at each bin of the input image and to threshold the histogram to produce a binary representation of the input image. A visual odometer to compare the binary representations of each input image and each reference image, by matching an input image against a reference image. Wherein the visual odometer determines a location of the input image based on a match between the input image and the reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Uros Kalabic, Karl Berntorp, Stefano Di Cairano
  • Patent number: 10589702
    Abstract: An object is identified by an on-board camera and a relative speed of the vehicle and the object is acquired. If the object is a two-wheel vehicle and the relative speed is lower than the vehicle speed, the relative speed is set as a collision speed. If the object is an object other than a two-wheel vehicle, the vehicle speed is set as the collision speed. Using the set collision speed, an effective mass is computed and collision determination is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sotaro Narita
  • Patent number: 10583859
    Abstract: When the state where steering torque detected by a torque detection unit is normal and the value of the steering torque is the same as or larger than a threshold value continues, an assist command generation unit that generates an assist command corresponding to steering torque produced by a driver limits the assist command; a failure determination unit includes a first failure determination unit that performs determination on a failure regardless of the limitation of the assist command and a second failure determination unit that performs determination on a failure while the assist command is limited, and stops driving of a motor when the second failure determination unit determines that there exists a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Tsuchimoto, Isao Kezobo, Shunsuke Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10569703
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a gripping portion that is gripped by a driver when a conveyance is steered, a light source that is disposed inside the gripping portion and is configured to emit light, a light guide body that is disposed inside the gripping portion such that an end portion of the light guide body faces the light source, the light guide body including an emission surface that is configured to emit light from the light source and incident on the end portion and that is formed on a surface on a driver side, and a covering portion that surrounds the light guide body and forms an outer layer portion of at least a part of the gripping portion around the light guide body. The covering portion is formed with a hole, through which light emitted from the emission surface passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kamei, Yoshio Mizuno, Hayato Abo
  • Patent number: 10566920
    Abstract: A control device for an AC rotary machine includes an AC rotary machine having x-phase windings where x is at least three, an angle detector, a current detector, a voltage command calculator, and a power converter, wherein, when a current of at least one phase of the x phases is detectable and currents of at most (x?1) phases are undetectable at a present current detection timing, the current detector estimates the currents of the (x?1) phases that are undetectable at the present current detection timing by calculation on the basis of detected currents of x phases obtained at a past current detection timing, the detected current of the single phase that is detectable at the present current detection timing, and an angle variation amount from the past current detection timing to the present current detection timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10562561
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qi Wang, Xingye Zhang, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Patent number: 10556619
    Abstract: In a steering control apparatus, a basic assistance torque calculating unit calculates a basic assistance torque. A return control unit calculates a return control amount to assist in returning a steering wheel to a neutral position, as a correction torque to be added to the basic assistance torque. In the return control unit, a target steering speed calculating unit calculates a target steering speed being that is a target value for a steering speed. A return control amount calculating unit calculates the return control amount such that the steering speed follows the target steering speed. A returning state determining unit determines whether the steering wheel is turning or returning. The target steering speed calculating unit gradually increases an absolute value of the target steering speed from an absolute value of the steering speed when the steering wheel is returning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Aoki
  • Patent number: 10556620
    Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for a column torque in an MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) system including: a column torque sensor configured to sense a column torque applied to a steering shaft and output a column torque signal; a vehicle velocity sensor configured to sense a vehicle velocity; and a controller configured to receive the column torque signal to extract a vibration frequency of steering vibration caused in a steering apparatus, determine a filtering gain based on the vehicle velocity sensed by the vehicle velocity sensor, and filter the column torque signal such that a column torque signal corresponding to the extracted vibration frequency is attenuated to an attenuation length which is determined according to the filtering gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 10549775
    Abstract: A method for estimating the ageing of a steering mechanism during which the ageing of the steering mechanism is assessed by calculating a value called «ageing value» according to an ageing function (old, old2, ene) which corresponds to the integral, over time, of an expression which is weighted by a stress indicator (Tm(u), Ts(u)) the value of which at each considered instant (u) is representative of the intensity of a stress force (Tm, Ts), such as the operating force exerted by the assist motor, which is undergone by the steering mechanism at the considered instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Sébastien Bourdrez, Pascal Moulaire, Romaric Pregniard, Christophe Ravier
  • Patent number: 10538267
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system of a vehicle includes a power steering system that operates as commanded by control commands, and a control module configured to receive a first control command. The control module is also configured to generate a range signal indicative of a range of command values based on a plurality of input signals, generate a second control command based on a subset of the plurality of input signals, determine whether the first control command is out of the range for longer than a predetermined duration of time, and send the second control command to the power steering system in response to determining the first control command is out of the range for longer than the predetermined duration of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A. Millsap, Ashok Chandy, Kevin L. Derry, Caroline Dannöhl, Hans-Peter Hank, Jens Schotte, Kristian Vetter
  • Patent number: 10532765
    Abstract: A control apparatus (10) for controlling a three-phase rotary machine (80) having two three-phase winding sets (801, 802) includes: two power converters (601, 602) outputting AC currents, having a same amplitude and a phase difference of (30±60×n) [deg], to the two winding sets; a harmonic component generator (20) superimposing a harmonic component on a phase current first harmonic component of a current command value; and two controllers (331, 332) calculating voltage command values for the two power converters according to the current command value. A combination of amplitudes of the phase current fifth and seventh harmonic components to reduce a peak of the phase current first harmonic component is defined as a fundamental amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Kano, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10526009
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that reduces uncomfortable feeling to a driver in steering angle control by improving followability of an actual steering angle to a target steering angle, and performs efficient damping to a vibration of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a torque control section that calculates a first motor current command value based on a steering torque and so on, a target steering angle generating section that generates a target steering angle based on vehicle information, and a steering angle control section that calculates a second motor current command value based on the target steering angle, an actual steering angle and so on, and calculates the motor current command value by the first and second motor current command values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 10512204
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, or system of estimating vehicle heading taking GNSS antenna movement and/or mounting position into account. Measurements from the GNSS can be used to estimate GNSS antenna yaw or misalignment relative a pivot or control point, or vehicle fixed-body origin. Side-slip is either ignored or, if known, can be used to adjust the estimation of vehicle heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: AG LEADER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Yakup Gunbatar, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 10507863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Drive unit as part of a vehicle steering comprising a housing, mechanically connectable to the vehicle through an anti-rotation system, a rotatory output element, an interface for interfacing the control unit, including powering coils and measuring feedback to external control unit, and a motor comprising an angular position sensor, a stator and a rotor, the stator being fixedly mounted in the housing, and the rotor being rotatably mounted in the housing, wherein the output element, the stator and the rotor are coaxially arranged, wherein the motor is mechanically coupled to the output element by a differential providing an angular speed for the output element which is different from the angular speed of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ARVUS TECNOLOGIA LTDA.
    Inventors: Adriano C. Naspolini, Jonatan Vieira, Daniel Fritzke Ferreira De Melo
  • Patent number: 10507867
    Abstract: A system and method for generating steering commands to cancel out unwanted steering moments is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a controller of a vehicle, an amount of suspension displacement that is caused as a result of driving the vehicle on an uneven road. The suspension displacement induces an unwanted steering moment. The method also includes determining a steering angle command based at least on the amount of suspension displacement. The method also includes performing the steering angle command. Performing the steering angle command cancels out the unwanted steering moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bronikowski, Joshua R. Auden
  • Patent number: 10486737
    Abstract: A steering control device has a steering actuator as an operation target, the steering actuator includes a motor and a steering mechanism mechanically connected to a rotary shaft of the motor. The steering control device includes a controller configured to perform i) a low-temperature process of changing a torque of the motor when an estimated value estimated from a temperature of a lubrication target part of the steering mechanism is equal to or lower than a predetermined value with respect to when the estimated value is higher than the predetermined value and ii) an estimation process of calculating the estimated value which is set be lower than a detected value of a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a predetermined member attached to the steering mechanism based on a heat emission parameter of the steering actuator associated with a current flow with the detected value as an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Toko, Hiromasa Tamaki, Akira Nambu, Takahiro Kojo, Nobuyori Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10489889
    Abstract: A control apparatus acquires a captured image from a camera including an imaging unit, including an image sensor, that generates the captured image. A control unit is provided in the control apparatus and executes, using a processor, a process based on the captured image. The control apparatus receives input of an abnormality signal indicating an abnormality in the imaging unit detected by the camera. When the input of the abnormality signal is received, the control unit performs a process to handle the abnormality in the imaging unit indicated by the abnormality signal. The abnormality indicated by the abnormality signal is an error that has occurred in setting values stored in a storage means provided in the camera. The setting values are used for signal processing including a pixel defect correction and a noise removal process performed with respect to pixel values of the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshikazu Murao
  • Patent number: 10464596
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle may include first and second steering motors providing torque; a rack bar to which torques of the first and second steering motor are simultaneously applied, and configured to change steering angles of wheels by being displaced by the rotation of the first and second steering motors; first and second motor position detectors detecting rotation angles of the first and second steering motors, respectively; and a controller deriving an absolute position of the rack bar based on a difference between the rotation angles of the first and second steering motors detected by the first and second motor position detectors, wherein an amount of displacement of the rack bar according to an amount of rotation of the first steering motor is different from an amount of displacement of the rack bar according to an amount of rotation of the second steering motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Woo Hwang, Hyeon Seok Cho, Byung Rim Lee, Young Dae Park, Min Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 10464599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steer-by-wire system comprising a first control device that controls at least one steering actuator, and at least one second control device that controls at least one actuator on a steering handle in order to generate a haptic torque, wherein a sensor system for detecting a steering wheel angle is assigned to the second control device, wherein the first control device is connected with a first bus system and the second control device is connected with a second bus system, wherein the two bus systems are connected with each other via a gateway control device, and the first control device and the second control device are connected with each other directly via a third bus system, as well as a method for data exchange in such a steer-by-wire system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Dirk Dreyer
  • Patent number: 10442460
    Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system includes an upper column shaft connected to a steering wheel, a lower column shaft connected to road wheels, a torsion bar interconnecting the upper column shaft and the lower column shaft, and a processor that produces a torque signal indicative of torsion bar torque. An electric motor is connected to the lower column shaft, and a motor position sensor provides a motor position signal dependent on the angular position of the motor rotor that repeats after the motor rotates through an angular range. The processor determines a base motor position at start up by comparing the motor position signal with a signal from a sensor associated with the upper column shaft to determine three candidates and, during subsequent unpowered motion of the steering system rules out two candidates until only one plausible candidate for the base motor position remains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRW LIMITED
    Inventor: James Owen Patrick Farrelly
  • Patent number: 10435062
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for facilitating an electric power steering (EPS) system for providing a motor torque assist command. An example EPS system includes a first module configured to generate a regulation signal or a tuning signal based on a mode of operation of the eps system. The EPS system further includes a second module configured to generate a stability signal irrespective of the mode of operation of the eps system. The EPS system further includes a blending module configured to combine the stability signal with either the regulation signal or the tuning signal to generate an assist motor torque signal for the eps system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shrenik P. Shah, Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 10435071
    Abstract: If road information indicates that a first curve zone at a near side and a second curve zone at a far side that curve in different directions are continuously located in a road, a steering assist unit of a steering assist device or a steering assist circuit finishes decreasing process of decreasing the steering assist amount when the subject vehicle passes through the first curve zone earlier than a case when the subject vehicle passes through the second curve zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Nakada, Hiroyuki Koibuchi, Daisuke Kondo, Yosuke Sakamoto, Yoshifumi Banno, Yuki Kizumi
  • Patent number: 10425025
    Abstract: Magnetic flux generated when a current flows through a main circuit wiring serves as disturbance of a magnetic sensor, and accurate rotor position information is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuro Kanazawa, Kimihisa Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10407091
    Abstract: An electric power steering control apparatus that assists a steering operation made by a driver with a motor includes: a target torque calculation unit calculating a target steering torque; an assist torque calculation unit calculating an assist torque which enables an actual steering torque follows close to the target steering torque according to a difference therebetween; a motor drive unit driving a motor acting on a steering system mechanism so that a steering angle of vehicle is changed according to the assist torque; and a followability change unit that detects an abnormality of a torque sensor for detecting the actual steering torque. When abnormality is detected in the torque sensor, a followability of the actual steering torque to the target steering torque controlled by the assist torque is degraded compared with a case where no abnormality is detected in the torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Minamiguchi, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10399595
    Abstract: A method for managing a power steering system including at least one steering wheel and at least one assist motor, the method including a step of driver torque control, which involves evaluating a driver torque difference that corresponds to the difference between a predefined driver torque setpoint and the actual driver torque actually exerted by the driver on the steering wheel, then determining an engine torque setpoint for torque applied to the assist motor in order to reduce the driver torque difference, the driver torque setpoint being generated during a trajectory control step, which involves evaluating a trajectory difference, for example a position difference, which corresponds to the difference between a trajectory setpoint, of the position setpoint type, which depends on a reference trajectory, and the actual trajectory of the vehicle, given by the measured position of the power steering, then determining, from the trajectory difference, a driver torque setpoint intended to reduce the trajectory di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Romain Moretti, Luc Leydier
  • Patent number: 10399591
    Abstract: A system for grip-based handwheel compensation includes a net handwheel torque moment determination module that determines a net handwheel torque moment between a left grip and a right grip on a handwheel. The system also includes a filter transition compensation module that applies a filter to smooth transitions in the net handwheel torque moment as a bias compensation. The system further includes a handwheel torque compensation module that determines a grip compensated handwheel torque based on a difference between a sensed handwheel torque and the bias compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Ashok Chandy
  • Patent number: 10392047
    Abstract: A power steering control system is provided. The control system includes an actual module that determines an actual load torque associated with a vehicle chassis. A steering module generates a steering control signal based on the actual load torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Demerly, Siddharth H. D'Silva
  • Patent number: 10385847
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid, wherein the pump includes a working chamber, a piston assembly configured for reciprocating within the working chamber to thereby displace fluid, a piston actuator being rigidly assembled with the piston assembly at least in a working mode of the pump to thereby transmit drive energy to the piston assembly to reciprocate along a common rigid axis of the piston-actuator-assembly, and a bearing arrangement bearing the piston assembly and the piston actuator in the pump so that the piston-actuator-assembly provided by the piston assembly and the piston actuator is capable of performing a pendulum-type compensation motion around a pendulum point at the piston actuator on the common rigid axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Kurz, Bernhard Dehmer, Lothar Mitzlaff