Vehicle Steering Assist With Adaptive Guide Torque Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering assist devices cannot adjust the steering guide torque based on the vehicle's driving environment and the driver's state, requiring manual adjustment by the driver, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering assist device that automatically adjusts the steering guide torque based on acquired information about the driving environment and the driver's state, using a control unit to calculate and correct the torque according to index values indicating the necessity of steering assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering guide torque is uniquely determined by the difference between actual and target steering angles, then the steering assist function is simple to implement, but the magnitude of steering guide torque cannot be adjusted according to driving environment and driver state
Solution Approach 1:
The steering guide torque is made dynamic by introducing a gain K that can change over time based on driving environment and driver state. The control unit continuously adjusts the gain K according to detected conditions (road curvature, vehicle speed, driver fatigue level) to optimize the steering assist performance, transforming the static torque calculation into a dynamic adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting driving environment parameters (road curvature from navigation, vehicle speed from speed sensor) and driver state (fatigue level from operation duration) to adjust the gain K. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the steering guide torque to automatically adapt to changing conditions without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If a manual adjusting device is provided for driver to change steering guide torque magnitude, then the torque can be adapted to individual needs, but the driver must operate the adjustment device one by one which bothers the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting the steering guide torque magnitude based on detected driving environment and driver state. The control unit monitors operation duration, road curvature, and vehicle speed to autonomously determine the appropriate gain K, eliminating the need for driver intervention and making the system self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment mechanism is replaced with an automated electronic control system. Instead of requiring the driver to physically operate an adjustment device, the system uses sensors and a control unit to electronically modulate the steering guide torque magnitude based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering assist device includes a steering assist ECU. The steering assist ECU calculates a target steering angle for driving the vehicle along the road, and a target steering guide torque that guides the driver's steering so that the actual steering angle becomes the target steering angle. The steering assist ECU controls the torque applying device so that the steering guide torque becomes the target steering guide torque. The steering assist ECU acquires at least one of information on the driving environment of the vehicle and information on the state of the driver, and calculates an index value indicating the necessity of the steering guide torque based on at least one of the pieces of information. The steering assist ECU corrects the target steering guide torque based on the index value so that the higher the need for the steering guide torque, the larger the target steering guide torque.