Front-Rear Steering Angle Distribution for Automatic Path Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic steering technologies do not adequately address the need to improve vehicle traveling performance and reduce occupant discomfort by appropriately controlling the rear wheel steering, which is essential for vehicles that perform all steering operations automatically.
Innovation Solution
A steering control apparatus that distributes the total steering angle between the front and rear wheels, using sensors to detect environmental and vehicle conditions, and a controller to calculate and adjust the steering angles of both wheels to match a target path, thereby compensating for deviations and reducing discomfort through a steering feel similar to manual steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle automatically performs all steering operations without rear wheel steering control, then the automation level is high, but the traveling performance cannot be sufficiently improved and occupant discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total steering angle into front wheel steering angle and rear wheel steering angle components. The controller independently controls each wheel's steering angle, allowing the rear wheel to contribute to steering operations and improve traveling performance while maintaining high automation level. This segmentation enables both automation and improved reliability.
2Extent of automation
If the vehicle automatically performs all steering operations without rear wheel steering control, then the automation level is high, but occupant comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the steering control into front and rear wheel components with independent angle control, the system can distribute steering efforts to create a more natural driving feel for occupants, maintaining high automation while improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the steering angle parameters by calculating separate target angles for front and rear wheels based on vehicle speed, steering request, and other conditions. This parameter optimization ensures the steering behavior remains comfortable for occupants while achieving full automation.
3Device complexity
If the rear wheel steering is not controlled in automatic steering technology, then the system complexity is low, but the traveling performance cannot be sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The controller segments the steering control function into front wheel control and rear wheel control modules, each handling specific aspects of steering. This modular segmentation improves traveling performance through coordinated wheel steering while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and not excessively complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering control apparatus comprises an environment sensor for detecting a condition around a vehicle; and a controller for controlling turning of a front wheel and turning of a rear wheel, wherein the controller is configured to: calculate a total steering angle which is a steering angle required for causing the vehicle to travel along a target path, based on at least a detection result of the environment sensor; turn the front wheel based on a front wheel target steering angle; and turn the rear wheel based on a rear wheel target steering angle that is a subtraction value obtained by subtracting the front wheel target steering angle from the total steering angle.