Folding steering wheel integrated system based on intelligent drive-by-wire chassis and safety control method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automobile safety control, and provides a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent drive-by-wire chassis and a safety control method.The drive-by-wire chassis module comprises a dual-redundancy ECU, millisecond-level seamless switching is achieved, continuity of steering control, folding operation and a safety strategy is ensured, and the safety of the folding steering wheel integrated system is improved. The system failure risk caused by a single-point fault is obviously reduced; in the automatic driving mode, the steering wheel is folded and stored in the instrument panel, the cabin space is released, and the multi-scene interaction requirement is met. The Hall sensor monitors the folding position of the steering wheel in real time, the pressure sensor detects the in-position state of a driver, the torque sensor and the wheel angle feedback unit form closed-loop control, and steering input and execution consistency is ensured. The folding motor is provided with a current monitoring module for detecting abnormal current in real time and triggering reverse unfolding action. The upward ejection path of the airbag avoids a folding steering wheel structure, and the physical conflict problem of a traditional steering wheel airbag and a folding mechanism is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile safety control, and in particular to a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis and a safety control method. Background Art

[0002] Intelligent driving is currently an important development direction for automobiles. Traditional steering wheels are fixedly connected to the steering column and cannot be folded. In autonomous driving mode, they occupy cockpit space and affect the flexibility of the cabin layout. Insufficient safety redundancy: If the wire-controlled steering system relies solely on a single electronic control unit (ECU), there is a risk of failure, and the mechanical structure of the folding steering wheel may affect the deployment path of the airbag during a collision. Poor interactive compatibility: Existing folding steering wheels are mostly mechanically retracted and lack the ability to dynamically coordinate with the wire-controlled chassis. They cannot achieve adaptive adjustment of the steering ratio or rapid response in emergency situations. Therefore, a system that combines the coordinated control of the folding steering wheel, wire-controlled chassis and airbags is needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to propose a folding steering wheel integrated system and safety control method based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis, which solves the problems in the background technology.

[0004] Based on the above objectives, the present invention provides a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis, comprising: The drive-by-wire chassis module includes dual-redundant ECU units and a steering actuator motor. The dual-redundant ECU units provide ECU control redundancy. If the primary ECU fails, the backup ECU takes over control within 10ms, ensuring uninterrupted ECU functionality. The steering actuator motor performs actual steering operations. Folding steering wheel: Dual redundant ECU units control the folding and unfolding operations of the folding steering wheel; Driver's airbag module: The airbag is built into the instrument panel and its deployment is controlled by a dual-redundant ECU unit. When the steering wheel is folded, the airbag pop-up path is upward.

[0005] Preferably, the drive-by-wire chassis module further includes a torque sensor and a wheel angle feedback unit. The torque sensor detects the driver's steering input, and the wheel angle feedback unit provides information on actual wheel angles.

[0006] Preferably, the folding steering wheel is integrated with a Hall sensor, which monitors the folding state and position of the folding steering wheel in real time and transmits the information to the dual-redundant ECU unit.

[0007] Preferably, the folding steering wheel is integrated with a pressure sensor, which detects the presence or position of the driver and transmits it to the dual redundant ECU unit.

[0008] Preferably, the folding steering wheel includes a folding motor to perform folding and unfolding operations, and a dual redundant ECU unit controls the operation of the folding motor.

[0009] Preferably, the folding motor has a built-in current monitoring module, and the detected current data is transmitted to the dual-redundant ECU unit. When the current is abnormal or an obstacle appears, the dual-redundant ECU unit controls the folding motor to stop folding.

[0010] Preferably, a collision sensor is also included, which monitors the impact force, acceleration and collision direction of the vehicle in real time and transmits them to the dual-redundant ECU unit. The dual-redundant ECU unit controls the steering wheel to unfold to a safe angle and activates the dashboard airbag.

[0011] A safety control method for a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis includes the following steps: Step 1: During manual driving, the pressure sensor detects the driver's seat status in real time, triggers the steering wheel to unfold to the preset position, and synchronizes the steering zero position through the dual redundant ECU units; Step 2: When the driver manually switches to autonomous driving mode, the folding steering wheel is automatically folded into the instrument panel via the dual-redundant ECU unit, freeing up cabin space. Simultaneously, the redundant ECU is activated to monitor the decoupling status of the steering actuator motor to ensure complete separation of the folding steering wheel from the wheel steering. Step 3: When the current monitoring module of the folding motor of the folding steering wheel detects abnormal current, it is determined that there is an obstacle blocking the folding motor, and the folding motor is triggered to reverse and unfold the steering wheel to the state of manual driving; Step 4: When the collision sensor senses a collision, if it is a minor collision at low speed and small angle: only the steering wheel is deployed to a safe angle, and the driver's airbag is not triggered; If it is a severe collision caused by a high-speed, frontal impact: the ECU will simultaneously execute the forced deployment of the steering wheel to the preset safe position, activate the instrument panel airbag to pop up, and link the seat belt pretensioners to reduce the risk of secondary injury.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention include: The drive-by-wire chassis module includes dual redundant ECU units, enabling millisecond-level seamless switching, ensuring continuity of steering control, folding operation, and safety strategies, significantly reducing the risk of system failure caused by single-point failures. In autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel folds and stows into the instrument panel, freeing up cabin space and adapting to multi-scenario interaction needs. In low-speed collisions, only the steering wheel deploys to a safe angle, preventing accidental airbag deployment and reducing maintenance costs. In high-speed collisions, airbag deployment, steering wheel forced reset, and seatbelt pretensioning are simultaneously activated, reducing the risk of secondary injuries. A Hall sensor monitors the folding position of the steering wheel in real time, a pressure sensor detects the driver's seat status, and a torque sensor and wheel angle feedback unit form a closed-loop control loop to ensure consistent steering input and execution. The folding motor has a current monitoring module that detects abnormal current flow in real time, triggering reverse deployment and issuing an alarm to prevent mechanical damage or accidental personal injury. The airbag's upward ejection path avoids the folding steering wheel structure, resolving the physical conflict between the conventional steering wheel airbag and the folding mechanism. The dynamic safety strategy reduces airbag wear in low-speed collisions, and the redundant ECU design reduces overall system maintenance frequency, lowering overall operation and maintenance costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only for the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0014] Figure 1 It is a system architecture diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a flow chart of the control method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0016] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the present invention should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present invention belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. "Include" or "comprise" and similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis, including: Wire-controlled chassis module It includes dual redundant ECU units, steering actuator motor, torque sensor and wheel angle feedback unit.

[0018] Dual redundant ECU units provide ECU control redundancy. If the primary ECU fails, the backup ECU takes over control within 10ms, ensuring uninterrupted ECU functionality. The primary and backup ECUs achieve seamless millisecond-level switching to ensure the continuity of steering control, folding operations, and safety strategies. Simultaneously, they manage the steering actuator motor, folding motor, airbags, and sensor data fusion.

[0019] The steering actuator motor performs the actual steering operation; the torque sensor detects the driver's steering input; and the wheel angle feedback unit provides information on the actual wheel angle.

[0020] Folding steering wheel Dual redundant ECU units control the folding and unfolding operations of the folding steering wheel; The folding steering wheel is integrated with a Hall sensor, which monitors the folding status and position of the folding steering wheel in real time and transmits it to the dual-redundant ECU unit; The folding steering wheel integrates a pressure sensor that detects the driver's presence or position and transmits it to the dual-redundant ECU unit.

[0021] The folding steering wheel includes a folding motor that performs folding and unfolding operations, controlled by a dual-redundant ECU. A current monitoring module in the folding motor detects abnormal current flow in real time, triggering reverse unfolding and sounding an alarm to prevent mechanical damage or accidental injury.

[0022] The Hall sensor monitors the steering wheel folding position in real time, the pressure sensor detects the driver's seat status, and the torque sensor and wheel angle feedback unit form a closed-loop control to ensure consistency between steering input and execution.

[0023] Driver airbag module The airbag is integrated into the instrument panel and deployed by a dual-redundant ECU. When the steering wheel is folded, the airbag deploys upward. This upward ejection path avoids the folding steering wheel structure, eliminating the physical conflict between traditional steering wheel airbags and the folding mechanism.

[0024] collision sensor The collision sensor monitors the impact force, acceleration and collision direction of the vehicle in real time and transmits them to the dual-redundant ECU unit. The dual-redundant ECU unit controls the steering wheel to expand to a safe angle and activates the dashboard airbag.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, a safety control method for a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis includes the following steps: During manual driving, the pressure sensor detects the driver's seat status in real time, triggering the steering wheel to expand to the preset position. The dual-redundant ECU units simultaneously calibrate the steering zero position. The steering actuator motor responds to torque input in real time, and the wheel angle feedback unit ensures steering accuracy. In S2, when the driver manually switches to autonomous driving mode, the folding steering wheel automatically folds into the instrument panel via the dual-redundant ECU unit, freeing up cabin space. Simultaneously, the redundant ECU is activated to monitor the decoupling status of the steering actuator motor, ensuring complete separation of the folding steering wheel from the wheel steering. In autonomous driving mode, the Hall effect sensor continuously monitors the folding position to prevent false triggering. The steering wheel folds and stows into the instrument panel, freeing up cabin space and adapting to multi-scenario interaction needs. S3: When the current monitoring module of the folding steering wheel's folding motor detects an abnormal current, it determines that there is an obstacle blocking the folding steering wheel and triggers the folding motor to reverse and unfold the steering wheel to the state for manual driving to prevent mechanical damage or accidental injury to personnel. S4: When the collision sensor senses a minor collision at low speed and small angle, the system only deploys the steering wheel to a safe angle without triggering the driver's airbag. This prevents the driver from striking folding parts, prevents false triggering of the airbag, and reduces repair costs. If it is a severe collision caused by a high-speed, frontal impact: the ECU will simultaneously execute the forced deployment of the steering wheel to the preset safe position, activate the instrument panel airbag to pop up, and link the seat belt pretensioners to reduce the risk of secondary injury.

[0026] Dynamic safety strategies reduce airbag wear in low-speed collisions, and redundant ECU design reduces overall system maintenance frequency and overall operation and maintenance costs.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these examples. Within the spirit and principles of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments may be combined, the steps may be implemented in any order, and many other variations exist in the various aspects of the present invention described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of clarity. Any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis, characterized in that: Includes: The drive-by-wire chassis module includes dual-redundant ECU units and a steering actuator motor. The dual-redundant ECU units provide ECU control redundancy. If the primary ECU fails, the backup ECU takes over control within 10ms, ensuring uninterrupted ECU functionality. The steering actuator motor performs actual steering operations. Folding steering wheel: Dual redundant ECU units control the folding and unfolding operations of the folding steering wheel; Driver's airbag module: The airbag is built into the instrument panel and its deployment is controlled by a dual-redundant ECU unit. When the steering wheel is folded, the airbag pop-up path is upward.

2. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The drive-by-wire chassis module further includes a torque sensor and a wheel angle feedback unit. The torque sensor detects the driver's steering input, and the wheel angle feedback unit provides information on the actual wheel angle.

3. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The folding steering wheel is integrated with a Hall sensor, which monitors the folding state and position of the folding steering wheel in real time and transmits the information to the dual-redundant ECU unit.

4. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The folding steering wheel is integrated with a pressure sensor, which detects the presence or position of the driver and transmits it to the dual-redundant ECU unit.

5. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The folding steering wheel includes a folding motor to perform folding and unfolding operations, and a dual redundant ECU unit controls the operation of the folding motor.

6. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The folding motor has a built-in current monitoring module, and the detected current data is transmitted to the dual-redundant ECU unit. When the current is abnormal, an obstacle appears, and the dual-redundant ECU unit controls the folding motor to stop folding.

7. The folding steering wheel integrated system based on the intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 6 is characterized in that: It also includes a collision sensor, which monitors the impact force, acceleration and collision direction of the vehicle in real time and transmits them to the dual-redundant ECU unit. The dual-redundant ECU unit controls the steering wheel to a safe angle and activates the dashboard airbag.

8. The safety control method for a folding steering wheel integrated system based on an intelligent wire-controlled chassis according to claim 7, characterized in that: The following steps are included: Step 1: During manual driving, the pressure sensor detects the driver's seat status in real time, triggers the steering wheel to unfold to the preset position, and synchronizes the steering zero position through the dual redundant ECU units; Step 2: When the driver manually switches to autonomous driving mode, the folding steering wheel is automatically folded into the instrument panel via the dual-redundant ECU unit, freeing up cabin space. Simultaneously, the redundant ECU is activated to monitor the decoupling status of the steering actuator motor to ensure complete separation of the folding steering wheel from the wheel steering. Step 3: When the current monitoring module of the folding motor of the folding steering wheel detects abnormal current, it is determined that there is an obstacle blocking the folding motor, and the folding motor is triggered to reverse and unfold the steering wheel to the state of manual driving; Step 4: When the collision sensor senses a collision, if it is a minor collision at low speed and small angle: only the steering wheel is deployed to a safe angle, and the driver's airbag is not triggered; If it is a severe collision caused by a high-speed, frontal impact: the ECU will simultaneously execute the forced deployment of the steering wheel to the preset safe position, activate the instrument panel airbag to pop up, and link the seat belt pretensioners to reduce the risk of secondary injury.

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