Method, system, and apparatus for providing enhanced steering pull compensation

• US 8,903,606 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2008
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• 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: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kleinau, Julie A., Strieter, Troy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kiswanto, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US12/229,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20090030575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,289 Days
• Field of Search: 701/41, 701/42, 701/116, 180/6.2, 180/204, 180/272, 180/280, 180/282, 180/404, 180/410, 180/428, 180/443, 180/447, 180/446
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0472 for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/04 responsive only to forces disturbing the intended course of the vehicle, e.g. forces acting transversely to the direction of vehicle travel

Abstract

A system for providing enhanced steering pull compensation is provided. The system compensates for steering pull in a vehicle using a signal from a pull compensation signal generator. The signal from the pull compensation signal generator is processed though a processing mechanism. The processing mechanism controls a power steering assist motor through fault and limit logic as a function of the pull compensation signal generator, thereby providing steering pull compensation. The processing mechanism also controls the power steering assist motor based on input from a vehicle speed sensor and a calibration input mechanism.

Claims

1. A system for providing compensation for steering pull in a vehicle steering system, the system comprising:

a power steering assist motor;

a vehicle speed sensor;

a memory device containing a calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table; and

a processing mechanism performing;

receiving an input from the vehicle speed sensor;

retrieving a value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table in the memory device based upon the input from the vehicle speed sensor; and

controlling the power steering assist motor through fault and limit logic as a function of the pull compensation signal generator retrieved value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a calibration input mechanism; and

the processing mechanism further performing;

applying a compensation value from the calibration input mechanism to the power steering assist motor.

2. A system for providing compensation for steering pull in a vehicle steering system, the system comprising:

a pull compensation signal generator configured for producing a compensating torque command that reduces steering pull in the vehicle steering system;

a power steering assist motor;

a vehicle speed sensor;

a memory device containing a calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table; and

a processing mechanism performing;

receiving an input from the vehicle speed sensor;

retrieving a value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table in the memory device based upon the input from the vehicle speed sensor; and

controlling the power steering assist motor through fault and limit logic as a function of the pull compensation signal generator and the retrieved value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a calibration input mechanism; and

the processing mechanism further performing;

applying a compensation value from the calibration input mechanism to the power steering assist motor.

4. A system for providing compensation for steering pull in a vehicle steering system, the system comprising:

a pull compensation signal generator configured for producing a compensating torque command that reduces steering pull in the vehicle steering system;

a power steering assist motor;

a calibration input mechanism for applying a predetermined steering pull compensation value to the power assist motor, the calibration input mechanism configured to receive an input from a source external to the vehicle steering system that adjusts an amount of the predetermined steering pull compensation value;

a vehicle speed sensor;

a memory device containing a calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table; and

a processing mechanism performing;

receiving an input from the vehicle speed sensor;

retrieving a value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table in the memory device based upon the input from the vehicle speed sensor; and

controlling the power steering assist motor through fault and limit logic as a function of the pull compensation signal generator and the retrieved value from the calibrated vehicle speed pull scale table.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the calibration input mechanism comprises any of a keypad device, a touch-screen display, a personal computer, a microprocessor-based device, and a switch.