SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A BLOCKAGE OF A HANDWHEEL ACTUATOR AND / OR A STEERING COLUMN BY MEANS OF TORQUE SENSORSHIP

Abstract

A method for detecting a blockage of the handwheel actuator and / or steering column includes receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor linked to a vehicle handwheel in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column. The method also includes determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal exceeds a threshold value. Furthermore, the method includes initiating at least one countermeasure in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal exceeds the threshold value.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 580,062, filed September 1, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to steering systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods for detecting a blockage of the handwheel actuator and / or a steering column using torque detection. BACKGROUND

[0003] A vehicle, such as a car, truck, sport utility vehicle (SUV), crossover, minivan, watercraft, aircraft, off-road vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other suitable means of transportation, typically includes various systems such as a steering system, which may include an electronic power steering (EPS) system, a steer-by-wire (SbW) steering system, a hydraulic steering system, or other suitable steering system, and / or other suitable systems (such as a braking system, a drive system, and the like). Such systems of the vehicle typically control various aspects of the vehicle's steering (e.g., including providing steering assistance to a driver of the vehicle, controlling steerable wheels of the vehicle, and the like), vehicle propulsion, vehicle braking, and the like. SUMMARY

[0004] This disclosure relates generally to steering systems.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed embodiments includes a method for detecting the binding of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column. The method includes receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column. The method further includes determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiating at least one countermeasure.

[0006] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments includes a system for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column. The system includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, in response to a signal indicative of a change in the position of the power steering column, a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle; determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold; and, in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiate at least one countermeasure.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments includes a device for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column. The device includes a controller configured to: receive a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column of a steer-by-wire steering system; determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold, indicating that the power steering column has encountered an obstruction; and in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiate at least one countermeasure.

[0008] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claims, and the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, in accordance with common practice, the various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Fig. 1 generally illustrates a vehicle according to the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 generally illustrates a controller according to the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 generally illustrates a steering column and handwheel according to the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a flowchart generally illustrating a method for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a flowchart generally illustrating an alternative method for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or steering column in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following discussion relates to various embodiments of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the disclosed embodiments should not be interpreted or otherwise used as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of one embodiment is intended only as an example of that embodiment and does not imply that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0011] A vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a crossover, a minivan, a watercraft, an aircraft, an off-road vehicle, a recreational vehicle, or other suitable means of transportation, typically includes various systems such as a steering system, which may include an electronic power steering (EPS) system, a steer-by-wire (SbW) steering system, a hydraulic steering system, or other suitable steering system, and / or other suitable systems (such as a braking system, a drive system, and the like). Such systems of the vehicle typically control various aspects of the vehicle's steering (e.g., including providing steering assistance to a driver of the vehicle, controlling steerable wheels of the vehicle, and the like), vehicle propulsion, vehicle braking, and the like.

[0012] Such vehicles, as described, have a steering system including a handwheel and a steering column. Increasingly, such steering columns include power steering columns configured to be positioned in a driving position, a stowed position, and / or another suitable position. Additionally or alternatively, the handwheel and / or the power steering column may be selectively adjustable (e.g., including position) during use and / or in the stowed state.

[0013] Because such handwheels and power steering columns are positionable, there is a risk of them becoming jammed, blocked, etc. For example, during positioning, an obstacle, such as a hand, knee, or other suitable obstruction, may be in the path of the handwheel and / or power steering column and come into contact with the handwheel and / or power steering column.

[0014] Typically, jam detection systems are based on a feedback loop for monitoring the current of a handwheel actuator. When the monitored current level to the actuator increases, the data is interpreted and transmitted to a control module to stop the actuator (e.g., or its associated motor) or to stop and reverse the actuator's direction of movement (e.g., using the associated motor). However, such systems can experience relatively slow data transmission, which can delay the stopping of the actuator's movement (e.g., or its associated motor) and / or the actuator's direction (e.g., or its associated motor) before a harmful condition occurs. In addition, such systems can be sensitive to noise, such as grease, which causes a stick-slip condition in a relatively cold environment, which can trigger a false positive (e.g.,it is detected as a clamp or blockage condition when no clamp or blockage condition exists).

[0015] Accordingly, systems and methods such as those described herein may be desirable that are configured to enable tilt and / or jam detection of the handwheel actuator using torque detection. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to utilize a sensor (which may include, for example, a motion sensor, a force sensor, a rotation sensor, a torque sensor, any other suitable sensor, or a combination thereof) and associated sensor data associated with the handwheel of a vehicle's steering system.

[0016] In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to detect, upon encountering an obstruction, movement (e.g., rotation or other suitable movement) of the steering column associated with the handwheel caused by contact between the handwheel and an obstruction or obstacle measured by the sensor associated with the handwheel. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to, in response to detecting movement of the steering column, trigger the steering column actuator to perform a unique countermeasure, which may include reversing direction, stopping movement, returning to a home position, issuing a warning, any other suitable countermeasure, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to detect an obstruction in the path of the handwheel and / or steering column during telescoping, tilting, tipping, etc., movement of the steering column based on the measured movement of the handwheel. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to detect movement of the handwheel caused by contact with an obstruction, causing the handwheel to jerk or move. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to reverse the direction of the motor associated with the steering column actuator in response to detecting the handwheel movement.

[0018] In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to enable detection of a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to receive a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicative of a change in the position of a power steering column. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold. The systems and methods described herein may be configured to initiate at least one countermeasure in response to determining that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold.The countermeasure may include reversing the direction of the power steering column, stopping the movement of the power steering column, returning the power steering column to an initial position, an indication, any other suitable countermeasure, or any combination thereof.

[0019] Fig. 1 generally illustrates a vehicle 10 according to the principles of the present disclosure. The vehicle 10 may include any suitable vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a minivan, a crossover, any other passenger vehicle, any suitable commercial vehicle, or any other suitable vehicle. While the vehicle 10 is illustrated as a wheeled passenger vehicle and for use on roads, the principles of the present disclosure may also be applied to other vehicles, such as aircraft, boats, trains, drones, or other suitable vehicles.

[0020] The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 and a hood 14. A passenger compartment 18 is at least partially defined by the vehicle body 12. Another portion of the vehicle body 12 defines an engine compartment 20. The hood 14 may be movably attached to a portion of the vehicle body 12 such that the hood 14 provides access to the engine compartment 20 when the hood 14 is in a first, or open, position and the hood 14 covers the engine compartment 20 when the hood 14 is in a second, or closed, position. In some embodiments, the engine compartment 20 may be located in the rear portion of the vehicle 10, as generally illustrated.

[0021] The passenger compartment 18 may be located behind the engine compartment 20, but may also be located forward of the engine compartment 20 in embodiments where the engine compartment 20 is located in the rear portion of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may include any suitable propulsion system, including an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors (e.g., an electric vehicle), one or more fuel cells, a hybrid propulsion system (e.g., a hybrid vehicle) comprising a combination of an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors, and / or another suitable propulsion system.

[0022] In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include a gasoline engine, such as a spark-ignition engine. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include a diesel engine, such as a compression-ignition engine. The engine compartment 20 houses and / or encloses at least some components of the propulsion system of the vehicle 10. Additionally or alternatively, propulsion controls such as an acceleration actuator (e.g., an accelerator pedal), a braking actuator (e.g., a brake pedal), a handwheel, and other such components are disposed within the passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 10. The propulsion controls may be actuated or controlled by an operator of the vehicle 10 and may be directly connected to corresponding components of the propulsion system, such as a throttle, a brake, a vehicle axle, a vehicle transmission, and the like.In some embodiments, the drive controls may transmit signals to a vehicle computer (e.g., drive-by-wire), which in turn may control the corresponding drive component of the drive system. Thus, in some embodiments, vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle.

[0023] In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 includes a transmission connected to a crankshaft via a flywheel, a clutch, or a fluid coupling. In some embodiments, the transmission includes a manual transmission. In some embodiments, the transmission includes an automatic transmission. The vehicle 10, in the case of an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle, may include one or more pistons that cooperate with the crankshaft to generate power that is transmitted through the transmission to one or more axles that rotate the wheels 22. If the vehicle 10 includes one or more electric motors, a vehicle battery and / or a fuel cell provides power to the electric motors to rotate the wheels 22.

[0024] Vehicle 10 may include automatic vehicle propulsion systems, such as cruise control, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking control, other automatic vehicle propulsion systems, or a combination thereof. Vehicle 10 may be an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or another suitable vehicle type. Vehicle 10 may include additional or fewer features than those generally illustrated and / or disclosed herein.

[0025] In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include an Ethernet component 24, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 26, a Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) component 28, a FlexRay component 30 (e.g., a brake-by-wire system, etc.), and a Local Area Network (LIN) component 32. The vehicle 10 may use the CAN bus 26, the MOST 28, the FlexRay component 30, the LIN 32, other suitable networks or communication systems, or a combination thereof, to communicate various information from, for example, sensors inside or outside the vehicle to, for example, various processors or controllers inside or outside the vehicle. The vehicle 10 may include additional or fewer features than those generally illustrated and / or disclosed herein.

[0026] In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include a steering system, such as an EPS system, a steering-by-wire steering system (which may, for example, include or communicate with one or more controllers that control components of the steering system without the use of a mechanical connection between the handwheel and the wheels 22 of the vehicle 10), a hydraulic steering system (which may, for example, include a magnetic actuator incorporated into a valve assembly of the hydraulic steering system), or other suitable steering system.

[0027] The steering system may include an open-loop system or mechanism, a closed-loop system or mechanism, or a combination thereof. The steering system may be configured to receive various inputs, including, but not limited to, a handwheel position, an input torque, one or more wheel positions, other suitable inputs or information, or a combination thereof.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the inputs may include a handwheel torque, a handwheel angle, a motor speed, a vehicle speed, an estimated motor torque command, another suitable input, or a combination thereof. The steering system may be configured to provide a steering function and / or control of the vehicle 10. For example, the steering system may generate assist torque based on the various inputs. The steering system may be configured to selectively control a motor of the steering system using the assist torque to provide steering assistance to the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0029] In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include a control unit, hereinafter controller 100, as generally described in Fig. 2. The controller 100 may include any suitable controller, such as an electronic control unit or other suitable controller. The controller 100 may be configured to control, for example, the various functions of the steering system and / or various functions of the vehicle 10. The controller 100 may include a processor 102 and a memory 104. The processor 102 may include any suitable processor, such as those described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 100 may include any number of processors, in addition to or different from the processor 102. The memory 104 may comprise a single disk or a plurality of disks (e.g., hard drives) and includes a memory management module that manages one or more partitions within the memory 104.In some embodiments, memory 104 may include flash memory, solid-state memory, or the like. Memory 104 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. Memory 104 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 102, cause processor 102 to control at least various aspects of vehicle 10.

[0030] The controller 100 may receive one or more signals from various measuring devices or sensors 106 indicative of sensed or measured characteristics of the vehicle 10. The sensors 106 may include any suitable sensors, measuring devices, and / or other suitable mechanisms. For example, the sensors 106 may include one or more torque sensors or devices, one or more handwheel position sensors or devices, one or more motor position sensors or devices, one or more position sensors or devices, one or more radar sensors or devices, one or more lidar sensors or devices, one or more sonar sensors or devices, one or more imaging sensors or devices, other suitable sensors or devices, or a combination thereof.The one or more signals may indicate a handwheel torque, a handwheel angle, a motor speed, a vehicle speed, other suitable information, or a combination thereof.

[0031] In some embodiments, controller 100 may be configured to provide detection of a handwheel actuator and / or steering column jam. Controller 100 may receive a handwheel torque signal from a sensor 106 associated with the handwheel of vehicle 10 in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column. Controller 100 may determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold. Controller 100 may initiate at least one countermeasure in response to determining that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold.The countermeasure may include reversing the direction of the power steering column, stopping the movement of the power steering column, returning the power steering column to an initial position, an indication, any other suitable countermeasure, or any combination thereof.

[0032] In some embodiments, controller 100 may perform the methods described herein. However, the methods described herein as performed by controller 100 are not intended to be limiting, and any type of software executing on a controller or processor may perform the methods described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, a controller, such as a processor, executing software within a computing device may perform the methods described herein.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a flowchart generally illustrating a management method 200 for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or steering column according to the principles of the present disclosure. At 202, the method 200 receives an indication that the user desires to reposition and / or stow the power steering column. For example, the controller 100 may receive the indication that the user desires to reposition and / or stow the power steering column.

[0034] At 204, method 200 causes movement of the power steering column. For example, controller 100 or another suitable control of vehicle 10 may cause movement of the power steering column.

[0035] At 206, method 200 determines whether a handwheel associated with the power steering column encounters an obstruction. For example, controller 100 determines whether the handwheel encounters an obstruction. If controller 100 determines that the handwheel encountered an obstruction, method 200 continues at 210. Alternatively, if controller 100 determines that the handwheel did not encounter an obstruction, method 200 continues at 208.

[0036] At 208, method 200 enables the power steering column and / or handwheel to reach the desired location. For example, controller 100 may control actuation of the power steering column and / or handwheel to enable the power steering column and / or handwheel to reach the desired position.

[0037] At 210, the method 200 receives sensor data from a sensor associated with the handwheel, indicating at least one of the movement, force, rotation, and / or torque of the handwheel in response to contact of the handwheel with an obstacle. For example, the controller 100 may receive the sensor data from sensor 106 associated with the handwheel.

[0038] At 212, method 200 determines whether the sensor data indicates that a value of the sensor data (e.g., indicating motion, force, rotation, and / or torque) is greater than a threshold. For example, controller 100 may determine whether the value is greater than the threshold. If controller 100 determines that the value is greater than the threshold, method 200 continues at 216. Alternatively, if controller 100 determines that the value is not greater than the threshold, method 200 continues at 214.

[0039] At 214, method 200 allows the power steering column and / or handwheel to continue moving. Method 200 continues at 206.

[0040] At 216, method 200 performs a countermeasure on the power steering column and / or handwheel, including at least one of reversing direction, stopping movement, returning to an initial position, issuing a warning, any other suitable countermeasure, and / or a combination thereof. For example, controller 100 may perform the countermeasure.

[0041] Fig.5 is a flowchart generally illustrating an alternative management method 300 for a handwheel actuator and / or steering column jam detection method according to the principles of the present disclosure. At 302, the method 300 receives a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicative of a change in the position of the power steering column. For example, the controller 100 may receive a handwheel torque signal from the sensor 106 associated with the handwheel of the vehicle 10 in response to the signal indicative of the change in the position of the power steering column.

[0042] At 304, method 300 determines whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold. For example, controller 100 may determine whether the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold.

[0043] At 306, method 300 initiates at least one countermeasure in response to determining that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold. For example, controller 100 initiates at least one countermeasure in response to determining that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold.

[0044] In some embodiments, a method for detecting a handwheel actuator and / or steering column jam includes receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column. The method further includes determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiating at least one countermeasure.

[0045] In some embodiments, the handwheel is linked to a steering system of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the steering system includes an electronic power steering system. In some embodiments, the steering system includes a steer-by-wire steering system. In some embodiments, the steering system includes a hydraulic steering system. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes reversing the direction of the power steering column. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes stopping movement of the power steering column. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes returning the power steering column to a home position. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes providing an indicator.

[0046] In some embodiments, a system for detecting a jam of the handwheel actuator and / or a steering column includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column, a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle; determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold; and, in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiate at least one countermeasure.

[0047] In some embodiments, the handwheel is linked to a steering system of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the steering system includes an electronic power steering system. In some embodiments, the steering system includes a steer-by-wire steering system. In some embodiments, the steering system includes a hydraulic steering system. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes reversing the direction of the power steering column. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes stopping movement of the power steering column. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes returning the power steering column to a home position. In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes providing an indication.

[0048] In some embodiments, a device for detecting a jam of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column includes a controller configured to: receive a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column of a steer-by-wire steering system; determine whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold, indicating that the power steering column has encountered an obstruction; and in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiate at least one countermeasure.

[0049] In some embodiments, the at least one countermeasure includes stopping movement of the power steering column.

[0050] The above is intended to illustrate the principles and various embodiments of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully understood. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

[0051] The word "example" is used herein to serve as an example, case, or illustration. Any aspect or interpretation described herein as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or interpretations. Rather, the use of the word "example" is intended to illustrate concepts in a concrete manner. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, "X includes A or B" is intended to mean one of the naturally inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then "X includes A or B" is satisfied in each of the foregoing cases.Furthermore, as used in this application and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," and "an" should generally be interpreted to mean "one or more," unless otherwise indicated or the context clearly indicates a singular form. Furthermore, the use of the term "implementation" or "an implementation" does not imply that they are the same embodiment or implementation unless described as such.

[0052] Implementations of the systems, algorithms, methods, instructions, etc. described herein may be realized in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. The hardware may include, for example, computers, intellectual property (IP) cores, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, optical processors, programmable logic controllers, microcode, microcontrollers, servers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, or any other suitable circuitry. In the claims, the term "processor" is to be understood to include any of the foregoing hardware, either individually or in combination. The terms "signal" and "data" are used interchangeably.

[0053] As used herein, the term module can include a packaged functional hardware unit designed for use with other components, a set of instructions executable by a controller (e.g., a processor executing software or firmware), processing circuitry configured to perform a specific function, and a self-contained hardware or software component that interfaces with a larger system. For example, a module can include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a circuit, a digital logic circuit, an analog circuit, a combination of discrete circuits, gates, and other types of hardware, or a combination thereof.In other embodiments, a module may include memory that stores instructions that can be executed by a controller to implement a feature of the module.

[0054] Furthermore, the systems described herein may be implemented, for example, using a general-purpose computer or a general-purpose processor having a computer program that, when executed, performs any of the methods, algorithms, and / or instructions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, a special-purpose computer / processor including other hardware for executing the methods, algorithms, or instructions described herein may be used.

[0055] Furthermore, all or part of the implementations of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product, accessible, for example, from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any device that can, for example, tangibly contain, store, communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with any processor. The medium may be, for example, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or a semiconductor device. Other suitable media are also available.

[0056] The above-described embodiments, implementations, and aspects have been described to facilitate a simple understanding of the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure. Rather, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be interpreted as broadly as possible to include all such modifications and equivalent structures as are permitted by law. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 63 / 580,062

[0001]

Claims

[1] A method for detecting a blockage of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column, the method comprising: Receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column; Determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold; and in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiating at least one countermeasure. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the handwheel is linked to a steering system of a vehicle. [3] The method of claim 2, wherein the steering system includes an electronic power steering system. [4] The method of claim 2, wherein the steering system includes a steer-by-wire steering system. [5] The method of claim 2, wherein the steering system includes a hydraulic steering system. [6] The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes reversing the direction of the power steering column. [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes stopping the movement of the power steering column. [8] The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes returning the power steering column to an initial position. [9] The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes providing an indication. [10] A system for detecting a blockage of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: Receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicating a change in the position of the power steering column; Determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold; and in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiating at least one countermeasure. [11] The system of claim 10, wherein the handwheel is linked to a steering system of a vehicle. [12] The system of claim 11, wherein the steering system includes an electronic power steering system. [13] The system of claim 11, wherein the steering system includes a steer-by-wire steering system. [14] The system of claim 11, wherein the steering system includes a hydraulic steering system. [15] The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes reversing the direction of the power steering column. [16] The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes stopping movement of the power steering column. [17] The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes returning the power steering column to an initial position. [18] The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes providing an indication. [19] Device for detecting a blockage of a handwheel actuator and / or a steering column, the device comprising: a controller configured to: Receiving a handwheel torque signal from a sensor associated with a handwheel of a vehicle in response to a signal indicative of a change in the position of the power steering column of a steer-by-wire steering system; Determining whether a torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than a threshold, indicating that the power steering column has encountered an obstruction; and in response to a determination that the torque value associated with the handwheel torque signal is greater than the threshold, initiating at least one countermeasure. [20] The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one countermeasure includes stopping the movement of the power steering column.

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