Adaptive Steering Control for Vehicle Toe Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Ackermann steering geometry-based systems do not account for additional forces acting on steerable wheels during turning, leading to issues like tire slippage and wear, and suboptimal cornering performance.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive steering control apparatus with a steer-by-wire steering wheel assembly, front wheel steering mechanism, load detection device, and controller that independently adjusts the toe angle of each steerable wheel based on measured loads, allowing for real-time adjustments during steering and turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional Ackermann steering geometry is used, then the steering system is simple and mechanically linked, but tire slippage and wear increase during turning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is divided into independent left and right wheel steering portions, each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows each wheel to be controlled separately based on its specific load conditions, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise control without requiring a completely complex new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system transitions from static Ackermann geometry to dynamic adaptive control where toe angles are continuously adjusted based on real-time load detection. This dynamic adjustment optimizes cornering performance while maintaining reasonable system complexity through electronic control
2Ease of operation
If mechanically linked steerable wheels are used, then the steering mechanism is straightforward, but additional forces during turning are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
Load detection devices provide real-time feedback on forces acting on each wheel, which the controller uses to calculate and adjust optimal toe angles. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical linkage with an electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving adaptability to different loading conditions during steering operations
3Device complexity
If fixed toe angle is maintained, then the steering system is simple, but tire wear and slippage increase under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the toe angle parameter based on detected load conditions rather than maintaining a fixed value. This parameter adjustment reduces tire wear and slippage by optimizing contact characteristics, achieving the benefit without requiring fundamentally complex control logic
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle adaptive steering control apparatus includes a front wheel steering mechanism having a right wheel steering portion and a left wheel steering portion that are independently operable relative to one another. A load detection device measures a condition indicative of vehicle loads at one of the following: the left and right suspension structures and the front wheel steering mechanism. A controller in electronic communication with a steer-by-wire steering wheel assembly, the front wheel steering mechanism and the load detection device, calculates toe angle adjustments for each of the right wheel steering portion and the left wheel steering portion in response to determining a load on each of a left front wheel and a right front wheel based on signals from the load detection device. The controller further makes the toe angle adjustments via changes in turning and steering movements effected by the front wheel steering mechanism.