Abstract:
An energy absorbing device (40) includes a plastically deformable metal strap (46) for resisting the collapse of a steering column (44). The strap (46) is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations (51) by anvils (48, 50) to increase the energy required to advance the strap (46), thereby increasing the resistance to collapse of the steering column (44). One of the anvils (48) may be removed to eliminate one of the wave formations (51) and thereby reduce the amount of resistance to collapse of the steering column (44). Alternatively, the position of an anvil (72) may be varied to vary the shape of a wave configuration from a deep V to a shallow V.
Abstract:
An energy absorbing device (40) includes a plastically deformable metal strap (46) for resisting the collapse of a steering column (44). The strap (46) is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations (51) by anvils (48, 50) to increase the energy required to advance the strap (46), thereby increasing the resistance to collapse of the steering column (44). One of the anvils (48) may be removed to eliminate one of the wave formations (51) and thereby reduce the amount of resistance to collapse of the steering column (44). Alternatively, the position of an anvil (72) may be varied to vary the shape of a wave configuration from a deep V to a shallow V.
Abstract:
A flexible, capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the strip includes an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, and a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body, the longitudinal cavity being disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. The first elongated planar conductor forms a first electrode of a sensing capacitor and the longitudinal cavity defines a portion of a dielectric material of the sensing capacitor.
Abstract:
Ein Schlüsselschalter für ein Kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere zum Ein- und Ausschalten eines Beifahrer-Airbags, umfasst einen in ein Gehäuse (1) eingesetzten Schliesszylinder (4), dessen Rotor (7) über einen stirnseitigen Mitnehmer (8) mit einem Betätigungselement zur Beaufschlagung von Festkontakten zugeordneten Schaltkontakten verbunden ist. Das Betätigungselement ist als Drehschaltglied (9) mit einer Kontaktbrücke (10), die mehrere als Schaltkontakte dienende Kontaktarme (11) aufweist, ausgebildet, und die Kontaktarme (11) wirken mit als Festkontakte dienenden Kontaktbahnen (12) zusammen.
Abstract:
A method for detecting a loss of motor control in an electric power steering system is disclosed, In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining a duty cycle of a steering command signal generated by a controller, The steering command signal commands a steering mechanism to be turned in either a first or a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, A steering velocity of the steering mechanism is determined, the steering velocity being characterized by a steering velocity magnitude and a steering velocity direction whenever the steering velocity is greater than zero. The steering velocity direction corresponds to either the first or the second direction. The duty cycle is then compared to a first selected value, and the steering velocity magnitude is compared to a second selected value. If the duty cycle exceeds the first selected value, the steering velocity magnitude exceeds the second selected value, and the steering velocity direction is opposite to the direction commanded by the steering command signal, then a fault signal is generated.
Abstract:
A roll control system (20) for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar (22); a damper (24) attached to one end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; and attachment means (25) attached to the other end (29) of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; wherein the damper comprises an axially extending cylindrical housing (52); a piston (34) slidably mounted inside the housing; a piston rod (58) connected to the piston, extending out of one end (55) of the housing, and movable in an axial direction relative to the housing; a floating piston (35) slidably mounted in the housing between the piston and the other end of the housing; a compensation chamber (37) between the floating piston and the other end (54) of the housing containing a first pressurised fluid; a compression chamber (30) between the floating piston and the piston containing a second pressurised fluid; a rebound chamber (32) between the piston and the one end of the housing containing the second pressurised fluid; valve means (36) on the piston allowing restricted flow of the second pressurised fluid between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber; a rebound stop (60) positioned in the rebound chamber between the piston and the one end of the housing and providing a spring-effect on the movement of the piston towards the one end of the housing; and a compression stop (62) providing a spring-effect on the movement of the piston towards the floating piston. Provides an improved passive roll controle system.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method as well as a system for controlling an electric power steering system. The method includes: receiving a torque signal from a torque sensor responsive to a torque applied to a steering wheel; obtaining a motor velocity signal, the motor velocity signal indicative of a speed of an electric motor which applies torque to a steerable wheel; and generating a command for said electric motor with a controller coupled to the torque sensor, and the electric motor. The command includes torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to at least one of the torque signal, and a motor velocity signal. Also disclosed herein is a storage medium encoded with a computer program code for controlling an electric power steering system, the storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement the disclosed method. Further disclosed is a computer data signal for controlling an electric power steering system, the data signal comprising code configured to cause a controller to implement the disclosed method. Additionally, a method for optimizing controlling torque in an electric power steering system is disclosed. The method including: receiving a torque signal responsive to a torque applied to a steering wheel; obtaining a motor velocity; generating a command with a controller for the electric motor, where the command includes a torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to the torque signal, and the motor velocity. The performance of the torque control is responsive to a torque compensator, a high pass low pass structure, and motor velocity compensation.
Abstract:
An independently housed trim resistor including a trim resistor having a resistive element and a plurality of conductive pads, wherein the plurality of conductive pads are disposed so as to be communicated with the resistive element, a plurality of lead wires, wherein the plurality of lead wires are disposed so as to be communicated with and terminated at the plurality of conductive pads and a resistor housing, the resistor housing having a housing body and a housing top, wherein the housing body defines a resistor cavity for containing the trim resistor and wherein the housing top includes a trim opening disposed so as to allow communication with the resistive element and a method for fabricating an independently housed trim resistor including obtaining a first lead wire, a second lead wire and a trim resistor, wherein the trim resistor includes a resistive element and a plurality of conductive pads, obtaining a resistor housing having a housing top and a housing body, wherein the housing body defines a resistor cavity, arranging the first lead wire and the second lead wire so as to be communicated with the plurality of conductive pads, arranging the trim resistor so as to be disposed within the resistor cavity, arranging the housing top relative to the housing body so as enclose the resistor cavity, connecting the housing top to the housing body and adjusting the resistive element so as to achieve a desired resistance.
Abstract:
A vehicle door (16) cinching apparatus (10) for assisting the final closing motion of a sliding vehicle door (16) includes an electromagnet (12), a ferrous metal plate (24), a cinch drive (26) and a controller (28). The electromagnet (12) mounts on either an outer periphery (14) of a vehicle sliding door (16) or an inner periphery (18) of a vehicle sliding door frame (22) that's shaped to receive the sliding door (16) as the door (16) moves along a final inward cinching portion (18) of a door path (20) to a final closed position within the door frame (22). The plate (24) is supported on the other of the outer periphery (14) of the door (16) and the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) in a position where the plate (24) can magnetically engage the electromagnet (12) when the door (16) is disposed along the final cinching portion (18) of the door path (20). Whichever of the plate (24) and electromagnet (12) is supported on the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) is also supported for lateral movement in a direction generally parallel to the cinching portion (18) of the door path (20). According to the method, the cinch drive (26) moves whichever of the electromagnet (12) and plate (24) is supported on the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) to drive the door (16) along the final cinching portion (18) of the door path (20) and into the final closed position. The controller (28) de-energizes the electromagnet (12) and releases the door (16) from the cinching apparatus (10) once the door (16) has reached its final closed position.
Abstract:
A vehicle door (16) cinching apparatus (10) for assisting the final closing motion of a sliding vehicle door (16) includes an electromagnet (12), a ferrous metal plate (24), a cinch drive (26) and a controller (28). The electromagnet (12) mounts on either an outer periphery (14) of a vehicle sliding door (16) or an inner periphery (18) of a vehicle sliding door frame (22) that's shaped to receive the sliding door (16) as the door (16) moves along a final inward cinching portion (18) of a door path (20) to a final closed position within the door frame (22). The plate (24) is supported on the other of the outer periphery (14) of the door (16) and the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) in a position where the plate (24) can magnetically engage the electromagnet (12) when the door (16) is disposed along the final cinching portion (18) of the door path (20). Whichever of the plate (24) and electromagnet (12) is supported on the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) is also supported for lateral movement in a direction generally parallel to the cinching portion (18) of the door path (20). According to the method, the cinch drive (26) moves whichever of the electromagnet (12) and plate (24) is supported on the inner periphery (18) of the door frame (22) to drive the door (16) along the final cinching portion (18) of the door path (20) and into the final closed position. The controller (28) de-energizes the electromagnet (12) and releases the door (16) from the cinching apparatus (10) once the door (16) has reached its final closed position.