Hydraulic Steer-by-Wire Control for Accurate Wheel Cylinder Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronically controlled steering systems in vehicles lack optimization and accuracy in determining target steering radii and piston positions, leading to suboptimal steering performance and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a hydraulic control system with steering knuckles and hydraulic wheel cylinders, controlled by a control circuit that receives steering parameters to determine target steering radii and piston positions, adjusting hydraulic pressures to deflect steering wheels accurately, with redundancy and feedback mechanisms to enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional mechanical linkage is used to connect steering wheel to steering wheels, then mechanical reliability is maintained, but steering system complexity and driver effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is divided into independent modular units: steering wheel input module, control unit, hydraulic control unit, and steering gear module. Each module can be independently controlled and monitored, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through modular redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical linkage between steering wheel and steering wheels with an electronically controlled hydraulic system. The control unit receives electrical signals from the steering wheel and actuates hydraulic wheel cylinders to achieve steering, eliminating complex mechanical transmission components.
2Measurement precision
If electronically controlled steering is implemented to reduce mechanical linkage, then steering precision improves, but system reliability decreases due to potential electronic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backup control unit that remains in standby mode and can take over immediately if the primary control unit fails. This redundancy is built into the system design beforehand to prevent steering failures, ensuring continuous reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors steering wheel position, hydraulic pressure, and actual steering wheel angles. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to maintain precise steering control and detect potential failures early.
3Speed
If hydraulic control system is used to achieve rapid steering response, then steering speed improves, but system complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control unit performs multiple functions: it provides rapid steering response, maintains steering position holding, and enables fail-safe operation. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite the sophisticated control requirements.
4Reliability
If redundant control circuits are implemented to prevent steering failures, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup control unit is designed with the same structure and functionality as the primary control unit, creating homogeneous redundant systems. This standardization simplifies the overall design and maintenance while ensuring reliable failover capability.
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
Enables smooth, rapid, and reliable steering with improved maneuverability, stability, and the ability to maintain desired steering even in the presence of failures, by accurately determining target steering parameters and employing redundant control circuits.
Implementation Method 1
controlling, based on the determined target piston positions, the hydraulic control system to change hydraulic pressures in the respective hydraulic wheel cylinders to change positions of the pistons thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controlled steering method and a steering system for a vehicle. The method includes: receiving steering parameters, including steering input torque, a steering input angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration of the vehicle and actual piston positions of pistons of respective hydraulic wheel cylinders; determining a target steering radius for the vehicle and target piston positions of the pistons of the respective hydraulic wheel cylinders based on the steering parameters; and controlling, based on the determined target piston positions, the hydraulic control system to change hydraulic pressures in the respective hydraulic wheel cylinders to change positions of the pistons thereof, so as to drive, through the piston rods, the steering knuckles connected therewith to deflect the corresponding steering vehicle wheels for steering.