Drive-By-Wire Tactile Feedback for Actuator Degradation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drive-by-wire systems of motor vehicles, such as steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and electronic power control systems, aging and wear of the actuator units can lead to a loss of quality that is not perceptible to the vehicle user due to mechanical decoupling, affecting the control of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where sensors detect control commands specified via control elements and pass them to electromechanical actuators, with a feedback actuator providing tactile feedback to the control element if deviations from target behavior are detected, allowing users to perceive changes in actuator performance through altered resistance or feedback patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical decoupling is implemented between control element and actuator unit, then reliability of control signal transmission is improved, but vehicle user's ability to perceive actuator quality degradation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the actual actuator behavior and compare it with expected behavior. When deviations are detected (indicating quality degradation), the system generates tactile feedback through the control element to alert the vehicle user. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining mechanical decoupling for reliable control signal transmission while adding an information feedback loop to preserve user awareness of actuator condition.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If tactile feedback is applied to control element, then vehicle user's perception of actuator behavior is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element serves multiple functions: it is both the interface for vehicle user input and the feedback transmission path. The same control element structure that receives user input also delivers tactile feedback, eliminating the need for separate feedback mechanisms. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity while maintaining improved user perception of actuator behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element acts as an intermediary between the electronic control system and the vehicle user. Instead of directly coupling mechanical components, the system uses the control element as a mediator to transmit both control inputs and tactile feedback signals. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to direct mechanical coupling with additional feedback components.
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 method enables vehicle users to perceive deviations in actuator performance, improving the perceivability of quality drops due to wear or aging, ensuring safer and more reliable vehicle control by adapting tactile feedback intensity based on the degree of deviation from target behavior.
Implementation Method 1
a correspondingly controlled feedback actuator applies the tactile feedback to the control element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a control system (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) of a motor vehicle, in which a control command (M1) for controlling the motor vehicle is specified via a control element (5.1, 3.2, 3.3), the control command (M1) specified via the control element (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) is sensorily detected and is passed on by an electronic control unit (4) to an electromechanical actuator unit (5.1, 5.2, 5.5) as a control signal, wherein the actuator unit (5.1, 5.2, 5.5) implements the control command (M1) according to the control signal. The operating system (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) is monitored for any deviation from the target behavior of the actuator unit (5.1, 5.2, 5.5), and tactile feedback is applied to the control element (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) when a deviation is detected. Furthermore, the invention relates to an operating system (1.1, 1.2, 1.3).3) a motor vehicle that is designed to be operated according to one of the aforementioned procedures.