Systems and methods for hand wheel torsional vibration attenuation
First Claim
1. A system for attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system, comprising:
- a housing including a chamber, the housing couplable to a rim of a hand wheel of the steering system;
a mass disposed in the chamber of the housing, the mass having a fixed stiffness;
a damping fluid disposed in the chamber of the housing and having a variable stiffness; and
a control module that determines a torsional vibration experienced by the steering system and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the torsional vibration in substantially real-time,wherein the housing further comprises;
a first chamber having a first opening;
a second chamber having a second opening and a third opening; and
a third chamber having a fourth opening,wherein the damping fluid is received in the housing and flows between the first chamber, second chamber and third chamber via the first opening, second opening, third opening and fourth opening.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system. The apparatus can include a housing including a chamber. The housing can be couplable to a rim of a hand wheel of the steering system. The apparatus can include a mass disposed in the chamber of the housing. The mass can have a fixed stiffness. The apparatus can also include a damping fluid disposed in the chamber of the housing. The damping fluid can have a variable stiffness. The apparatus can include a control module that determines a torsional vibration experienced by the steering system and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the torsional vibration in substantially real-time.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system, comprising:
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a housing including a chamber, the housing couplable to a rim of a hand wheel of the steering system; a mass disposed in the chamber of the housing, the mass having a fixed stiffness; a damping fluid disposed in the chamber of the housing and having a variable stiffness; and a control module that determines a torsional vibration experienced by the steering system and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the torsional vibration in substantially real-time, wherein the housing further comprises; a first chamber having a first opening; a second chamber having a second opening and a third opening; and a third chamber having a fourth opening, wherein the damping fluid is received in the housing and flows between the first chamber, second chamber and third chamber via the first opening, second opening, third opening and fourth opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle, comprising:
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a steering system that includes a hand wheel and a steering shaft, the hand wheel having a hub and a rim disposed about the hub so as to form a perimeter of the hand wheel, the rim coupled to the hub via a spoke; a vibration attenuation system disposed within a housing coupled to the rim, the housing including at least a first chamber in communication with a second chamber, and the vibration attenuation system including; a magneto-rheological damping fluid disposed in the housing so as to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a mass movable within the damping fluid and disposed in the second chamber, wherein the viscosity of the damping fluid is adjustable based upon an amount of torsional vibration experienced at the hand wheel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system, comprising:
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receiving accelerometer data associated with the steering system; based on the accelerometer data, determining an amount of torsional vibration experienced near a hand wheel of the steering system; and adjusting a viscosity of a damping fluid of a vibration attenuation system disposed within a housing coupled to a rim of the hand wheel based on the accelerometer data, the housing including at least a first chamber in communication with a second chamber and the vibration attenuation system including a mass, the damping fluid flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber and the mass disposed in the second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification