Method for operating a vehicle and the vehicle
An electronic immobilizer system for steer-by-wire vehicles reduces installation space and cost by eliminating mechanical locks, enabling a compact and secure foldable steering design with improved anti-theft features.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing steer-by-wire vehicles with immobilizers face challenges in reducing installation space, weight, and cost due to mechanical components, and there is a need for improved anti-theft functionality.
Implementing an immobilizer function electronically through software technology to control steering information transmission and wheel control, eliminating mechanical locks and enabling a compact, foldable design for the feed-side steering member.
Achieves a more compact and cost-effective steering system with enhanced anti-theft capabilities by eliminating mechanical locks, allowing the steering member to be stored efficiently and securely.
Smart Images
Figure 2026521248000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle equipped with a steer-by-wire type steering device and an immobilizer. The present invention further relates to a vehicle operating in this way.
Background Art
[0002] For vehicle steering, a vehicle usually has a feed-side steering member (steering transmitter) that can be moved accordingly, particularly a steering wheel. In that case, at least one steerable wheel of the vehicle is moved in accordance with the steering movement of the feed-side steering member.
[0003] Related steering devices are increasingly designed as so-called steer-by-wire type steering devices that do not have a direct connection between the feed-side steering member and at least one wheel.
[0004] A vehicle usually has an immobilizer that can prevent the vehicle from being steered.
[0005] A corresponding vehicle is known from German Patent Application Publication No. 10046167. In this vehicle, the immobilizer is implemented by a mechanical lock of the steering device.
[0006] From German Patent Application Publication No. 10200969354, a vehicle equipped with a steer-by-wire type steering device and an immobilizer is known. For improving the anti-theft function, when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on and it is confirmed that the immobilizer is in the unlocked state, that is, the immobilizer is in the inactive state, the specified use of the vehicle is prevented.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a method for operating the type of vehicle described at the beginning and an improved or at least different embodiment of such a vehicle characterized in particular by a reduction in the required installation space, a reduction in weight, and a reduction in cost. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] This objective is achieved according to the subject matter of the independent claim. A favorable embodiment is the subject matter of the dependent claim.
[0009] Therefore, the present invention is based on the fundamental idea of implementing an immobilizer function by electronically influencing the transmission of steering information from the feed-side steering member to the steering actuator and / or the control of the wheels by the steering actuator through software technology. In this way, by eliminating the mechanical components required to implement the immobilizer, the steering system, including the feed-side steering member, and especially the feed-side steering member, can be designed more compactly and manufactured more cost-effectively. The more compact design of the feed-side steering member makes it possible to design the feed-side steering member to be displaceable, especially foldable, thereby allowing it to be stored in a small required installation space when necessary, especially when the vehicle is autonomously driving.
[0010] In accordance with the concept of the present invention, the vehicle comprises a steering shaft, at least one wheel associated with the steering shaft, and a data bus. The vehicle further comprises a steer-by-wire steering system, also hereinafter abbreviated as a steering device. The steering device comprises a feed steering member and a component connected to the feed steering member, for detecting the steering motion of the feed steering member, hereinafter also called a receiver steering component (Lenknehmer). Furthermore, the steering device comprises a steering actuator for controlling at least one wheel of the steering shaft. The vehicle's immobilizer is communicated to the data bus. The immobilizer can be switched between an active state and an inactive state, blocking the vehicle's steering in the active state and releasing it in the inactive state. When the immobilizer is deactivated, i.e., in the inactive state, the receiver steering component detects the steering motion of the feed steering member and transmits steering information corresponding to the steering motion to the data bus. The steering actuator receives steering information via a data bus and controls at least one wheel on the steering axis according to the steering information. When the immobilizer is activated, i.e., when it is in an active state, the transmission of steering information to the data bus is blocked by software technology in the receiving steering component, and / or the control of at least one wheel on the steering axis is blocked by software technology in the steering actuator.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the software implementation of blocking the transmission of steering information to the data bus is implemented together with a lock, hereafter referred to as a slave lock (Nehmersperre), which is integrated into the receiving steering component by software technology. That is, the slave lock is integrated into the receiving steering component by software technology. The immobilizer communicates with the slave lock via the data bus. In this case, the immobilizer activates the slave lock when it is active, i.e., activates it via the data bus, thereby blocking the transmission of steering information to the data bus.
[0012] When the immobilizer is inactive, it is purposeful for the slave lock to be deactivated (disabled).
[0013] A preferred embodiment is in which the software implementation of the control block for at least one wheel of the steering axis in the steering actuator is implemented together with a lock integrated into the steering actuator, also referred to hereafter as a master lock (Gebersperre). That is, the master lock is integrated into the steering actuator by software technology. The immobilizer communicates with the master lock via a data bus. In this case, the immobilizer activates the master lock when it is active, causing the master lock to block control of at least one wheel of the steering axis.
[0014] A preferred variant is one in which communication between the immobilizer and the slave lock and / or master lock is encrypted. This means that communication between the immobilizer and the slave lock and / or master lock is protected from tampering by encrypted data. This leads to improved security and enhanced anti-theft capabilities.
[0015] Encrypted communication can be implemented, for example, by a challenge-response method based on symmetric key cryptography, also known as "Symmetric Cipher," and / or by a "Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code," also known as "HMAC," and / or by a "Block Cipher-based Message Authentication Code," also known as "CMAC." In this case, it is advantageous that the cryptographic keys used are generated separately for the receiving steering component, particularly the slave lock, and the steering actuator, particularly the master lock. Preferably, the challenge is further generated by the receiving steering component, particularly the slave lock, and / or the steering actuator, particularly the master lock, using a cryptographic random number generator.
[0016] Alternatively or additionally, encrypted communications can be implemented by methods based on asymmetric signatures and / or digital certificates.
[0017] Alternatively or additionally, encrypted communication can be implemented using the one-time password method.
[0018] Preferably, the vehicle is provided with access and driving authorization devices. These devices, also hereafter referred to as access and driving authorization devices, are used in particular to switch the immobilizer between an active and inactive state. Similarly, access and driving authorization devices can be used to activate and deactivate the vehicle's door locks and / or to start the vehicle.
[0019] The access permission device may be, for example, a vehicle key, or may include a vehicle key. Alternatively or additionally, the access permission device may be, for example, an individually coded electronic device such as a smartphone, or may include such an electronic device. Alternatively or additionally, the access permission device may also be implemented by a wireless data connection, i.e., encrypted code transmitted to the vehicle, particularly online.
[0020] Advantageously, the immobilizer is active when the vehicle is stationary and / or can be switched to the active state.
[0021] Naturally, in addition to this method, vehicles operating in this manner are also included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the vehicle, in particular the receiving steering component and / or steering actuator, is designed accordingly.
[0022] The feed-side steering member can be designed virtually arbitrarily. In particular, the feed-side steering member can be a steering wheel.
[0023] Preferably, the feed-side steering member does not have a mechanical lock for mounting an immobilizer. This leads to a compact design and reduced manufacturing costs for the feed-side steering member, as mentioned above.
[0024] Preferably, the feed-side steering member is foldable. Particularly preferably, the feed-side steering member is foldable and has no mechanical lock. This allows the feed-side steering member to be compactly stored as needed, especially in the vehicle's autonomous driving mode, and requires little to no installation space in the vehicle, particularly in the passenger compartment.
[0025] Advantageously, there is no mechanical lock in the steering system and / or immobilizer as a whole.
[0026] Preferably, there is no mechanical lock between the feed-side steering member and the receiving-side steering component. As a result, the design becomes more compact and the manufacturing cost is further reduced.
[0027] Alternatively or additionally, preferably additionally, it is preferable that there is no mechanical lock between the steering actuator and at least one wheel of the steering shaft.
[0028] Other important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the description of the related figures based on the drawings.
[0029] Of course, the features described above, and the features further described below, can be used not only in the combinations shown respectively, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0030] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the following description. Here, the same reference numerals refer to the same, similar, or functionally identical parts.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0031] [Figure 1] It is a very simplified schematic and general view of a vehicle.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0032] A vehicle 1, schematically shown in a highly simplified manner in Figure 1, comprises a steering shaft 2 and at least one wheel 3 associated with the steering shaft 2. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, vehicle 1 has two wheels 3 associated with the steering shaft 2, just as an example. Vehicle 1 has a data bus 4 for data transmission. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a steering device 5 designed as a steer-by-wire steering device 5 for steering vehicle 1. The steering device 5 has a feed steering member 6 that can be moved by the user, and such movement of the feed steering member 5 is hereafter referred to as steering motion. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the feed steering member 6 is designed as a steering wheel 7, just as an example. The steering device 5 has a component 8, also hereafter referred to as a receiver steering component 8, connected to the feed steering member 6 for detecting the steering motion of the feed steering member 6. The receiver steering component 8 can transmit steering information corresponding to the steering motion of the feed steering member 6 to the data bus 4. The steering device 5 further includes an actuator 9, also hereafter referred to as a steering actuator 9, for controlling at least one wheel 3 of the steering axis 2. That is, the steering actuator 9 can control at least one wheel 3 to steer the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 further includes an immobilizer 10. The immobilizer 10 can be activated and deactivated, that is, it can be switched between an active state and an inactive state.
[0033] When the immobilizer 10 is deactivated, i.e., in an inactive state, the receiving steering component 8 detects the steering movement of the sending steering member 6 and transmits steering information corresponding to the steering movement to the data bus 4. The steering actuator 9 receives the steering information via the data bus 4 and controls at least one wheel 3 of the steering shaft 2 according to the steering information.
[0034] When the immobilizer 10 is activated, i.e., in an active state, steering of the vehicle 1 is prevented and therefore blocked. For this purpose, the transmission of steering information to the data bus 4 in the receiving steering component 8 is blocked by software technology, and / or the control of at least one wheel 3 in the steering actuator 9 is blocked by software technology. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, when the immobilizer 10 is active, both the transmission of steering information to the data bus 4 in the receiving steering component 8 and the control of at least one wheel 3 in the steering actuator 9 are blocked by software technology.
[0035] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the implementation of the blocking function by each software technology is achieved by integrating the locks 11 and 12 by the respective software technologies with the electronic communication of the immobilizer 10 to the locks 11 and 12 by the respective software technologies via the data bus 4.
[0036] In this case, the receiving steering component 8 integrates a related lock 11, also referred to below as a slave lock 11, using software technology. The immobilizer 10 communicates with the slave lock 11 via the data bus 4. In this case, the immobilizer 10 activates the slave lock 11 when active, so that the slave lock 11 blocks the transmission of steering information to the data bus 4. When the immobilizer 10 is inactive, the slave lock 11 is deactivated, and the steering information is transmitted to the data bus 4.
[0037] The steering actuator 9 has an associated lock 12, also referred to below as the master lock 12, integrated into it by software technology. The immobilizer 10 communicates with the master lock 12 via the data bus 4. In this case, when the immobilizer 10 is active, it activates the master lock 12, which blocks the control of at least one wheel 3. Conversely, when the immobilizer 10 is inactive, the master lock 12 is deactivated, allowing the steering actuator 9 to control at least one wheel 3 according to the steering information.
[0038] Therefore, the immobilizer function is implemented without corresponding mechanical locks. Accordingly, as can be seen in Figure 1, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the steering device 5 has no mechanical locks between the feed steering member 6 and the receiving steering component 8, and between the steering actuator 9 and at least one wheel 3 of the steering shaft 2. Furthermore, the feed steering member 6 is designed to be compact and therefore has no mechanical locks.
[0039] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the feed-side steering member 6 is further foldable. Therefore, since the feed-side steering member 6 has no mechanical lock, it can be easily folded and stored in a space-saving manner, for example, when the vehicle 1 is autonomously driving.
[0040] Communication between the immobilizer 10 and the slave lock 11 and master lock 12 via the data bus 4 is encrypted, for example, by the challenge-response method and / or the asymmetric signature method and / or a method based on a digital certificate and / or the one-time password method.
[0041] Activation and deactivation of the immobilizer 10, i.e., switching between the active and inactive states of the immobilizer 10, are performed in the illustrated exemplary embodiment via a device 13 for granting access to the vehicle 1, which is also referred to below as the access permission device 13. The access permission device 13 may include, for example, a vehicle key (not shown). In this case, the immobilizer 10 is either active or can be switched to the active state when the vehicle 1 is stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0042] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10046167 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 10200969354
Claims
1. A method for operating a vehicle (1), - The vehicle (1) comprises a steering shaft (2) and at least one wheel (3) associated with the steering shaft (2), - The vehicle (3) is equipped with a data bus (4), - The vehicle (1) is equipped with a steer-by-wire steering device (5), and the steering device (5) is ●The steering member on the feed side (6), in particular the steering wheel (7), ● A receiving steering component (8) connected to the feed-side steering member (6) for detecting the steering movement of the feed-side steering member (6), ●The steering shaft (2) has a steering actuator (9) for controlling at least one wheel (3), - The vehicle (1) is equipped with an immobilizer (10) connected to the data bus (4), - In the inactive state of the immobilizer (10), ● The receiving steering component (8) detects the steering movement of the sending steering member (6) and transmits steering information corresponding to the steering movement to the data bus (4). ● The steering actuator (9) receives the steering information via the data bus (4) and controls at least one wheel (3) of the steering shaft (2) according to the steering information. - In the active state of the immobilizer (10), ●In the receiving steering component (8), the transmission of the steering information to the data bus (4) is blocked by software technology, and / or ●In the steering actuator (9), the control of at least one wheel (3) of the steering shaft (2) is blocked by software technology. method.
2. A slave lock (11) is integrated into the receiving steering component (8) by software technology, the immobilizer (10) communicates with the slave lock (11) via the data bus (4), and the immobilizer (10) activates the slave lock (11) in the active state, thereby blocking the transmission of the steering information to the data bus (4). The method according to claim 1, characterized in that
3. A master lock (12) is integrated into the steering actuator (9) by software technology, the immobilizer (10) communicates with the master lock (12) via the data bus (4), and the immobilizer (10) activates the master lock (12) in the active state, causing the master lock (10) to block the control of at least one wheel (3) of the steering shaft (2). The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
4. The immobilizer (10) communicates with the slave lock (11) and / or the master lock (12) by encrypted communication. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the features described herein.
5. The immobilizer (10) is switched between the inactive state and the active state by the access permission device (13) of the vehicle (1). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
6. When the vehicle (1) is stopped, the immobilizer (10) is switched to the active state. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that
7. Vehicle (1), - The vehicle (1) comprises a steering shaft (2) and at least one wheel (3) associated with the steering shaft (2), - The vehicle (3) is equipped with a data bus (4), - The vehicle (1) is equipped with a steer-by-wire steering device (5), and the steering device (5) is ●The steering member on the feed side (6), in particular the steering wheel (7), ● A receiving steering component (8) connected to the feed-side steering member (6) for detecting the steering movement of the feed-side steering member (6), ●The steering shaft (2) has a steering actuator (9) for controlling at least one wheel (3), - The vehicle (1) is equipped with an immobilizer (10) connected to the data bus (4), - The vehicle (1) is designed to operate according to the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The aforementioned steering member (6) on the feed side is free from mechanical locks and is foldable. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it is a vehicle.
9. The steering device (5) has no mechanical lock between the feeder steering member (6) and the receiver steering component (8). A vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it is a vehicle according to claim 7 or 8.
10. The steering device (5) is configured such that there is no mechanical lock between the steering actuator (9) and the steering shaft (2) and at least one wheel (3). A vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it is a vehicle.