Electric Power Steering Yaw Rate Deviation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric power steering devices exacerbate the steering-pull phenomenon when the yaw rate is around zero, leading to a risk of encouraging this issue due to increased steering assist torque in initial steering conditions.

Innovation Solution

An electric power steering device that includes an information obtaining unit for gathering data on steering torque, vehicle speed, turn angle, and actual yaw rate, and a control unit that adjusts the steering assist control based on the deviation from a norm yaw rate set according to the vehicle's traveling state, thereby maintaining excellent steering feel while suppressing the steering-pull phenomenon.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the steering assist torque is corrected to be increased in the initial state of steering-pull when the yaw rate is around zero, then the steering-pull phenomenon is suppressed, but the steering feel is degraded and the steering-pull phenomenon is rather encouraged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering-pull suppressionVSAvoidsteering feel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the steering assist control amount based on the deviation between actual and norm yaw rates. The control amount is modified according to the magnitude of yaw rate deviation, allowing the system to adapt the assist torque in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by preventing excessive assist torque in initial steering-pull states (when yaw rate deviation is small) while maintaining adequate assist torque when needed (when yaw rate deviation is large), thus suppressing steering-pull without degrading steering feel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the steering assist control amount is set based on yaw rate deviation, then the steering-pull phenomenon is suppressed while maintaining steering feel, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering-pull suppressionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual yaw rate, comparing it with the norm yaw rate, and adjusting the steering assist control amount based on the deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to changing steering conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms, thus suppressing steering-pull while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the steering assist torque is increased in the initial state of steering-pull, then the steering-pull phenomenon is suppressed, but the steering assist control amount becomes excessive and encourages the steering-pull phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering-pull suppressionVSAvoidsteering assist torque
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the steering assist control amount variable rather than fixed. The control amount dynamically changes based on the real-time deviation between actual and norm yaw rates. In the initial state of steering-pull when yaw rate deviation is small, the control amount is reduced to prevent excessive torque. As the steering-pull phenomenon develops and yaw rate deviation increases, the control amount is increased to suppress the phenomenon effectively. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by preventing both excessive torque and insufficient torque control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11834109B2Electric power steering device
Publication Date: 2023.12.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • US11834109B2 patent drawing
  • US11834109B2 patent drawing
  • US11834109B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electric power steering device includes: an information obtaining unit that obtains information on a steering torque acting on a steering wheel of a vehicle, speed of the vehicle, a turn angle of the steering wheel, and an actual yaw rate; a setting unit that sets a steering assist control amount relating to an assist motor based a deviation of the actual yaw rate from a norm yaw rate set based on a traveling state of the vehicle; and a steering assist control unit that performs steering assist control using the assist motor based on the information on the steering torque. The steering assist control unit performs the steering assist control based on the steering assist control amount set by the setting unit.