Electric Steering Support Current Regulation During Vehicle Stop Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric steering support systems with start-stop systems in vehicles face challenges in maintaining steering comfort during stop phases while minimizing CO2 emissions, as they either lead to short stop phases with unsatisfactory support or sudden loss of support, causing discomfort and reduced CO2 savings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor and regulate the electric motor's accumulated current consumption during stop phases, estimating future needs to provide continuous support by adjusting the electric motor's power supply with a factor ranging from 0.0 to 1.0, ensuring a smooth transition between stop and start phases, thus maintaining consistent steering feel and reducing CO2 emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the EPS system remains active during the stop phase, then steering support is provided continuously, but the battery is loaded by the electric motor consumption and stop phases become short
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the support factor between 0.0 and 1.0 based on real-time battery state of charge and current consumption monitoring. During stop phases, the control unit modulates the electric motor's support level adaptively, transitioning from full support (factor 1.0) when battery charge is high to reduced support (factor approaching 0.0) when battery charge decreases, thereby optimizing the trade-off between steering comfort and energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the electric motor by introducing a variable support factor that scales the motor's output torque. This parameter modulation allows the system to provide variable levels of steering assistance during stop phases, adjusting the motor current and torque output according to battery status, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining steering support and conserving battery energy
2Loss of energy
If the EPS system is shifted into a rest state during the stop phase, then battery consumption is reduced and CO2 savings increase, but steering support is lost causing discomfort and kickback
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely switching off the EPS system during stop phases, the invention applies partial action by maintaining a reduced level of electric motor support. The control unit provides minimal but continuous steering assistance (support factor > 0.0) during stop phases, which is sufficient to prevent the sudden kickback effect while consuming significantly less energy than full support mode, thus achieving a compromise between energy savings and comfort
3Ease of operation
If the internal combustion engine is restarted by steering movement, then steering support is restored, but stop phases become short and CO2 savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of current consumption and battery state of charge during the stop phase before the driver's steering input is processed. The control unit predicts future current needs based on monitored consumption patterns and proactively adjusts the support factor in advance, ensuring that sufficient battery energy is reserved to complete the intended stop phase without premature engine restart, thereby maximizing CO2 savings while maintaining steering support
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
The solution enhances steering comfort during stop phases by providing continuous support without sudden power interruptions, while reducing CO2 emissions by optimizing electric motor power usage, allowing for longer stop phases without starting the internal combustion engine unnecessarily.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (6) of the steering support is operated with electric current
Data Source
AI summary
A system or method for steering support for a vehicle with a start-stop system is configured to temporarily switch off a running internal combustion engine at the beginning of a stop phase and to restart the internal combustion engine at the end of the stop phase. An electric motor of the steering support is operated with accumulated electric current during the stop phase. Consumption of the accumulated current is monitored from the beginning of the stop phase with future consumption of current by the electric motor estimated based on consumption during previous stop phases. The steering support is configured so that supply of the accumulated current to the electric motor during the stop phase can be regulated as required on the basis of the estimated future consumption of accumulated current by the electric motor.