A method of controlling a steer-by-wire
steering system (1 ) of a vehicle is described. The angular position (swa) of the
steering wheel (2), the speed (vx) of the vehicle, and the current
yaw rate (Ψm) of the vehicle are sensed. A first position (δf) of the steering rack (7) of the
steering system (1) is calculated (20) based on the position of the
steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle. A first
yaw rate (Ψ0L,pass) of the vehicle is determined (231 ) based on the position of the
steering wheel, the speed of the vehicle, and a curve indicative of the understeer gradient in
stationary conditions. A second
yaw rate (Ψ0L,ref) of the vehicle is determined (232) based on the position of the steering wheel, the speed of the vehicle, and a curve indicative of the desired understeer gradient. The first yaw rate (ΨOL,pass) is subtracted from the second yaw rate (ΨOL,ref) to determine a first difference factor (ΔΨ). Based on the first difference factor (ΔΨ) and the speed of the vehicle, a first corrective value of displacement (Δδf,OL) required to the steering rack (7) is determined (233) to neutralize the first difference factor (ΔΨ). A third yaw rate (ΨCL,ref,dyn) of the vehicle is determined (234) based on the position of the steering wheel, the speed of the vehicle, and parameters indicative of the physical characteristics of the vehicle. The current yaw rate (ΔΨ) is subtracted from the third yaw rate (ΨCL,ref,dyn) to determine a second difference factor (ΨCL,ref)- The second difference factor (ΨCL,ref) is transmitted to a
PID controller (235) to determine a second corrective value of displacement (Δδf,CL) required to the steering rack (7). The actual position of the steering rack is controlled by an electrical
actuator (6) based on the sum of the first position (δf) of the steering rack, the first corrective value of displacement (Δδf,OL) and the second corrective value of displacement (Δδf,CL)