Methods of retrofitting electric power steering systems for vehicles

Abstract

A method for retrofitting an electric power steering system for a vehicle, the electric power steering system comprising a torsion bar and a controller configured to facilitate steering control based at least in part on a deflection or a strain of the torsion bar, is provided. The method includes the steps of obtaining the electric power steering system, and reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to at least facilitate adjusting a stiffness of the torsion bar based at least in part on a parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle.

1 . A method of retrofitting an electric power steering system for a vehicle, the electric power steering system comprising a torsion bar and a controller configured to facilitate steering control based at least in part on a deflection or a strain of the torsion bar, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining the electric power steering system; and   reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to at least facilitate adjusting a stiffness of the torsion bar based at least in part on a parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to obtain the parameter.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter comprises a velocity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter comprises an acceleration of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a steering wheel, and the parameter comprises a displacement of the steering wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller to incorporate the parameter into a steering assist signal for steering control.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller to incorporate a second parameter into a steering assist signal for steering control.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to directly adjust the stiffness of the torsion bar using the parameter.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to generate a torsion bar adjustment signal based at least in part on the parameter.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 introducing a torsion bar adjuster coupled between the controller and the torsion bar and configured to receive the torsion bar adjustment signal and adjust the stiffness of the torsion bar in accordance therewith.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of introducing the torsion bar adjuster further comprises the step of:
 introducing the torsion bar adjuster as part of a steering column of the electric power steering system.   
     
     
         12 . A method of retrofitting an electric power steering system for a vehicle, the electric power steering system comprising a torsion bar, the method comprising the steps of:
 reconfiguring a controller so as to be configured to generate a torsion bar adjustment signal using a parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle; and   introducing a torsion bar adjuster to be coupled between the controller and the torsion bar and configured to receive the torsion bar adjustment signal and adjust a stiffness of the torsion bar in accordance therewith.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to obtain the parameter.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameter comprises a velocity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameter comprises an acceleration of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vehicle includes a steering wheel, and the parameter comprises a displacement of the steering wheel. 
     
     
         17 . A method of retrofitting an electric power steering system for a vehicle, the electric power steering system comprising a torsion bar and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to obtain a parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle; and   reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to at least facilitate adjusting a stiffness of the torsion bar using the parameter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to directly adjust the stiffness of the torsion bar using the parameter.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 reconfiguring the controller so as to be further configured to generate a torsion bar adjustment signal based at least in part on the parameter.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of:
 introducing a torsion bar adjuster coupled between the controller and the torsion bar and configured to receive the torsion bar adjustment signal and adjust the stiffness of the torsion bar in accordance therewith.