Factory steering rack centering and preventing pinch points using electric power steering system
First Claim
1. A method of detecting potential pinching during centering of a steering rack in an automotive vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) assembly having an electric motor in the vehicle for steering and an angular position sensor to sense motor angle, the method comprising:
- locating a center of a steering rack of the EPS by using the electric motor and the angular position sensor of the EPS to detect first and second ends of the steering rack; and
stopping movement during the centering process if a pinch threshold level is exceeded.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column. An on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle determines or locates the center of the rack by detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes. The method monitors potential pinch point zones and reverses turning of the tires upon reaching the pinch threshold level and the automatic centering process is terminated.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting potential pinching during centering of a steering rack in an automotive vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) assembly having an electric motor in the vehicle for steering and an angular position sensor to sense motor angle, the method comprising:
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locating a center of a steering rack of the EPS by using the electric motor and the angular position sensor of the EPS to detect first and second ends of the steering rack; and stopping movement during the centering process if a pinch threshold level is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of centering a steering rack operatively associated with an electric power steering (EPS) assembly having an electric motor of an automotive vehicle that has an electronic control unit (ECU), the method comprising:
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moving the rack with the electric motor to a first end of the rack; moving the rack with the electric motor to a second end of the rack; communicating data associated with the moving the rack to the ECU; interrupting the moving step if a preselected pinch level is detected by at least one of electric motor current, electric motor velocity, steering angle and tie rod load; and positioning the steering rack at the center with the EPS electric motor based on the data communicated to the ECU. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification