Assist modification in active front steering

• US 6,926,114 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bednar, Edward J., Bolourchi, Farhad, Boswell, Karen A., Martens, John D., Dickinson, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LERNER, AVRAHAM H
• Application Number:
  US10/426,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20030221900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 180/402, 180/403, 180/415, 180/422, 180/423, 180/426, 180/421, 180/446, 180/444
• US Class Current: 180/422
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/008 Changing the transfer ratio between the steering wheel and the steering gear by variable supply of energy, e.g. by using a superposition gear
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/003 in order to control vehicle yaw movement, i.e. around a vertical axis B62D6/007 takes precedence

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. The differential actuator is configured to translate motion of the input into motion of the output shaft, where the motion of the output shaft is further responsive to the motor and wherein the output shaft is coupled to the road wheel of the steering system.

Claims

1. An active steering system with variable assist comprising:

a motor operatively coupled to a differential actuator;

said differential actuator configured to translate motion of a hand wheel input into motion of an output shaft, wherein said motion of said output shaft is further responsive to said motor and wherein said output shaft is coupled to a road wheel of said steering system;

an assist mechanism operatively coupled to said differential actuator and said road wheel of said steering system to provide an assist torque responsive to said motion of said output shaft;

a controller in operable communication with said assist mechanism, said motor, and vehicle speed sensor, said controller generating an assist command responsive to an input signal, said input signal including 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 said vehicle, a signal indicative of an operator selected function, and a signal indicative a vehicle operating mode.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said assist command is responsive to at least one of said variable ratio command signal, said stability command signal, said hand wheel position signal, said vehicle speed signal, and an operator select command.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is increased when said variable ratio command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is increased when a rate of change of said variable ratio command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is a increased when said stability command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said input signal.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said scheduled comprises a look-up table responsive to said input signal.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said vehicle speed signal.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said signal indicative of an operator selected function.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said signal indicative of a vehicle operating mode.

11. A method for providing variable assist in an active steering system of a vehicle comprising:

receiving an input signal, said input signal including 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 said vehicle, a signal indicative of an operator selected function, and a signal indicative vehicle operating mode;

generating an assist command to an assist mechanism responsive to said input signal, wherein said assist mechanism is operatively coupled to said differential actuator and a road wheel of said steering system to provide assist torque responsive to said motion of said output shaft; and

wherein said active steering system includes a hand wheel operatively coupled to an input of a differential actuator and a motor operatively coupled to said differential actuator;

said differential actuator configured translate motion of said input into motion of said output shaft, wherein said motion of said output shaft is further responsive to said motor and wherein said output shaft is coupled to said road wheel of said steering system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said assist command is responsive to at least one of said variable ratio command signal, said stability command signal, said hand wheel position, said vehicle speed signal and said operator selected function.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is increased when said variable ratio command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is increased when a rate of change of said variable ratio command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is increased when said stability command signal exceeds a selected threshold.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said input signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said scheduled comprises a look-up table responsive to said input signal.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said vehicle speed signal.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said signal indicative of an operator selected function.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein said assist command is scheduled as a function of said signal indicative to a vehicle operating mode.