Methods and apparatus to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system

US10232873B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Lodewijk Wijffels · Northville, US
• Sergio Codonesu · Aachen, DE
• David Michael Russell · Ann Arbor, US
• Cornelius Macfarland · Garden City, US
• Oliver Nehls · Aachen, DE
• Jan Bremkens · Straelen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 30, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2019
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D6/002
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify non-uniformity in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a steering wheel angle relative to a first universal joint, a second sensor to measure a pinion angle relative to a second universal joint, and a third sensor to measure a torque relative to a torsion bar. The apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to determine a non-uniformity angle associated with a steering column, the non-uniformity angle based on the torque and comparing the steering wheel angle to the pinion angle, map the non-uniformity angle to a first position of the steering column, and determine an offset to adjust a steering response based on the first position.