Brake-Based Wheel Steering Control With Oscillation Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle braking and steering systems face challenges in effectively controlling steering angles, particularly in situations where primary steering systems fail, leading to undesirable steering moments and oscillations, which can compromise vehicle stability and safety.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a braking system that applies a net brake-steering force to steered wheels, combined with a damping mechanism, to control steering angles and resist movement back to zero, utilizing a control module for coordinated brake pressure application and modulation, including differential braking to enhance steering control and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary steering system is used, then steering control is achieved under normal conditions, but the system becomes unreliable when steering failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system serves as an intermediary mechanism to provide steering control when the primary steering system fails. By applying differential brake forces to the wheels, the system can generate steering moments to control the vehicle's direction, effectively using the braking system as a backup steering mechanism without requiring a completely separate redundant steering system.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system is designed to perform multiple functions: its primary function is vehicle deceleration and stopping, but it also serves as a backup steering control mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware components to provide both braking and steering capabilities, improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If brake forces are applied to control steering angles, then steering control is improved, but oscillations and reversals occur that compromise stability
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual steering angle and compares it with the desired steering angle. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the brake forces applied to each wheel to minimize the error. This closed-loop control prevents oscillations and reversals by making real-time corrections to maintain vehicle stability while achieving the desired steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies brake forces in a periodic or pulsed manner rather than continuously, allowing the steering angle to be adjusted in controlled increments. This periodic application of brake forces helps prevent excessive oscillations and maintains stability while still achieving effective steering control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides improved redundancy in steering, reduces oscillations and reversals, and maintains desired steering angles, enhancing vehicle stability and safety by effectively utilizing brake forces to control steering, even in failure scenarios, and is advantageous for autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
applying a net brake-steering force to a steered wheel sufficient to affect a steering moment upon the steered wheel
Implementation Method 2
resisting movement of the steered wheel back toward the zero steering angle
Data Source
AI summary
Steering a vehicle may include applying a net brake-steering force to a steered wheel sufficient to affect a steering moment upon the steered wheel sufficient to move the steered wheel away from a zero steering angle, and resisting movement of the steered wheel back toward the zero steering angle.