Oversteer control for a motor vehicle

• US 6,637,543 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• 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: Card, James Myrl
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender, F.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 180/410, 180/408, 180/409, 180/446, 180/443, 180/412, 180/413, 701/36, 701/41
• US Class Current: 180/446
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/003 in order to control vehicle yaw movement, i.e. around a vertical axis B62D6/007 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/159 characterised by computing methods or stabilisation processes or systems, e.g. responding to yaw rate, lateral wind, load, road condition

Abstract

A system for compensating for the oversteer of a motor vehicle includes a controller configured to receive input signals from at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to produce an output signal that is capable of being received by a steering system of the motor vehicle. The input signals typically include a steering pinion gear angle signal, a vehicle velocity signal, and a yaw rate signal. The output signal may be received by a motor that is configured to provide power assist to the steering system in order to maintain the stability of the motor vehicle during an oversteer condition. A method of using the system includes receiving the signals into the controller, producing at least one transmittable output signal to the steering system of the motor vehicle, and articulating at least one steerable wheel in response to the output signal. Receiving the signals into the controller typically includes receiving signals corresponding to a yaw angular velocity actual value and a required yaw angular velocity value signal. Receiving the required yaw angular velocity value signal may include receiving a steering pinion gear angle signal, receiving a motor vehicle velocity signal, and mathematically combining the two signals. The output signal may then be produced by determining the difference between the required yaw angular velocity and the yaw angular actual value signal with respect to time. The articulating of the steerable wheel is typically effectuated through a mechanical manipulation of either the electric power steering system or a variable resistance device.

Claims

1. A control system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a controller configured to receive input data; and

a steering system operably connected to said controller, said steering system being configured to compensate for yaw moments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein said steering system is configured to provide autonomous control of said motor vehicle to supersede an existing operator input to said control system upon a detection of a predetermined value of said input data.

2. An oversteer control system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a controller, said controller being configured to receive input signals front at least one sensor, said controller being con figured to process said input signals and to produce an output signal capable of being received by a steering system of said motor vehicle in operable communication with said controller;

wherein said output signal is received by a motor configured to provide power assist to said steering system of said motor vehicle in order to maintain the stability of said motor vehicle during an oversteer condition,

wherein said output signal transfers control of said motor vehicle to said steering system to manipulate at least one steerable wheel of said vehicle during an oversteer condition;

wherein said steering system provides autonomous control of said motor vehicle to supersede an existing operator steering input to said oversteer control system during said oversteer condition.

3. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said steering system is an electric power steering system.

4. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said steering system is a variable effort steer system.

5. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said steering system is a steer-by-wire system.

6. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said steering system is an active front steering system.

7. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said steering system is a four wheel steering system.

8. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said input signals comprise,

a steering pinion gear angle signal,

a vehicle velocity signal, and

a yaw rate signal.

9. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said output signal is received by a motor configured to provide power assist to said steering system of said motor vehicle in order to maintain the stability of said motor vehicle during an oversteer condition.

10. The oversteer control system of claim 2 wherein said output signal transfers control of said motor vehicle to said steering system to manipulate at least one steerable wheel of said vehicle during an oversteer condition.