Electronic Steering Control for Three-Wheeled Vehicle Leaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-wheeled vehicle systems require a high amount of force to initiate leaning during turns, placing a heavy load on lean actuators and potentially leading to traction loss and instability, especially at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A three-wheeled vehicle with an electronic steering control system that counter-steers the front wheel using a drive-by-wire system, reducing the torque required for leaning and incorporating traction control to maintain rear wheel contact, which includes sensors and actuators for precise control and stability management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional mechanical leaning is used to initiate turns, then the vehicle can turn, but a very large amount of force is needed to initiate leaning, placing a high load on lean actuators
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mechanically engaging counter-steering after the cabin leans, the system inverts the sequence by using electronic counter-steering of the front wheel to initiate the leaning motion. The electronic steering control unit receives signals from the steering input device and actively counter-steers the front wheel, which generates the rotational force needed to tilt the cabin, thereby reducing the force requirement on lean actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical leaning system with an electronic steering control system. The electronic steering control unit processes steering inputs and controls the front wheel steering mechanism electronically, substituting direct mechanical force application on the cabin with an electronic control system that manages steering and initiating lean through controlled wheel counter-steering.
2Speed
If high force is applied to initiate leaning, then the vehicle can start turning, but traction loss and instability may occur, especially at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic steering control system performs preliminary action by actively controlling the front wheel counter-steering before the cabin begins to lean. This preliminary electronic intervention prepares the steering mechanism in advance, ensuring smooth initiation of the turn and preventing sudden force applications that could cause traction loss or instability at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the electronic steering control unit continuously monitors steering input and vehicle response, adjusting the counter-steering action in real-time. This feedback control ensures stable and controlled leaning initiation, preventing excessive force application that could lead to traction loss or instability during turning maneuvers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A three-wheeled vehicle that includes: a single front wheel; two rear wheels; a passenger cabin; an electronic steering control unit; and a steering input device configured to send an electronic signal to the electronic steering control unit corresponding to an input received at the steering input device associated with turning the three-wheeled vehicle; wherein the electronic steering control unit is configured to counter-steer the front wheel in response to receiving the electronic signal, wherein the counter-steering of the front wheel initiates a leaning of the passenger cabin a direction of turning of the three-wheeled vehicle.