Four-Wheel Independent Steering for Accurate Parallel Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In four-wheel independent steering vehicles, there is a challenge in accurately aligning the wheels for parallel movement due to the independent control of each wheel, leading to errors and the need for additional driver steering to correct wheel alignment.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes a steering angle sensor, motor controller, and processor to set a parallel movement mode, adjust wheel positions, and limit steering angles within a specified range, using a position controller to assist in wheel alignment and prevent excessive steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the four wheels are controlled independently with larger rotation angle ranges, then the vehicle can perform parallel movement and in-place rotation, but wheel alignment errors occur during parallel movement requiring additional driver steering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle maneuverabilityVSAvoidwheel alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual wheel angles through sensors and compares them with target angles calculated by the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the wheel angles in real-time to compensate for alignment errors and maintain precise parallel movement, resolving the contradiction between versatile maneuverability and alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the steering angles of the four wheels based on the selected movement mode (parallel movement, in-place rotation, or conventional driving). By adjusting the parameter ranges and target values of wheel angles according to different operational requirements, the system achieves both high adaptability and precise control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the steering angle is limited to a range, then accurate parallel movement is achieved, but the driver's steering operation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel movement accuracyVSAvoidsteering operation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steering angle limits are not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on the detected steering mode. In parallel movement mode, the system applies stricter angle limits to ensure accuracy, while in conventional driving modes, the full steering range is available to the driver, thus maintaining both precision and flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If collective wheel adjustment mode is set, then wheel positions are aligned, but distortion error occurs making accurate parallel movement impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic wheel adjustmentVSAvoidwheel position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adjusting all four wheels collectively, the system segments the control into individual wheel adjustments. Each wheel's angle is independently calculated and controlled based on its specific position and the desired movement trajectory, preventing the distortion errors that occur with collective adjustment while maintaining ease of operation through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4484256B1System and method for controlling four-wheel independent steering vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4484256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4484256B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4484256B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a system and method for controlling four-wheel independent steering vehicles. The system includes a steering angle sensor configured to detect a steering angle in relation to movement of a steering wheel, a motor controller configured to changes a position of a wheel in response to the steering angle, a parallel movement key configured to set a parallel movement mode, and a processor configured to primarily adjust the position of the wheel through the motor controller by setting the parallel movement mode in response to the input of the parallel movement key and to control the motor controller to secondarily adjust the position of the wheel in response to the steering angle by limiting the steering angle of the steering wheel to a range of a limit angle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the steering angle from changing significantly.