Parking Assistance Device Steering Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing parking assistance devices face issues with overheating of the steering device due to increased load during automatic control operations, which can lead to a decrease in durability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a parking assistance device that includes a path calculating section, a steered angle calculating section, and a control section to manage the operation of steerable wheels by stopping automatic control when the target steered angle is closer to the neutral angle, utilizing steering reaction forces to reduce the load on the steering device and prevent overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the steering device performs automatic control of steerable wheels continuously, then the vehicle can automatically enter or exit parking spaces, but the load on the steering device increases and temperature rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic control of steerable wheelsVSAvoidtemperature of steering device

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control section periodically stops and resumes automatic control based on the steered angle. When the steered angle is within a predetermined range of the neutral angle, automatic control is stopped, allowing the steering device to rest and cool. When the steered angle exceeds this range, automatic control is resumed to maintain parking assistance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the steering reaction force generated by the driver's natural steering actions to return the steerable wheels to the neutral angle position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous active control from the steering device, reducing load and temperature while maintaining the vehicle's steering stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the steering device continuously operates to change steered angle, then the vehicle can follow the moving path, but the load on the steering device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle movement along moving pathVSAvoidload on steering device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The driver's natural steering actions generate steering reaction forces that automatically return the steerable wheels to the neutral angle. The control section leverages this self-service mechanism to reduce active steering device operation, thereby lowering power consumption and load while maintaining the vehicle's ability to follow the calculated moving path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic control is activated only when necessary (when the steered angle is outside the predetermined range of the neutral angle) and deactivated when the steerable wheels are within this range. This periodic operation reduces the cumulative load on the steering device while ensuring the vehicle remains on the desired path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If automatic control stops when target steered angle is closer to neutral angle, then the load on steering device is reduced, but the vehicle may deviate from the moving path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload on steering deviceVSAvoidaccuracy of vehicle position on moving path

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control section continuously monitors the actual steered angle and compares it with the target steered angle. When the steered angle is within a predetermined range of the neutral angle, the system trusts the steering reaction force to maintain the correct position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the vehicle remains on the moving path while allowing reduced steering device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of maintaining continuous active control, the system applies partial control only when necessary. By allowing the steering reaction force to handle minor adjustments within a predetermined angle range, the system reduces overall steering device load while maintaining sufficient positioning accuracy for successful parking assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach effectively reduces the load on the steering device, suppresses temperature rise, and ensures efficient vehicle entry and exit into parking spaces while maintaining durability.

Implementation Method 1

a force (steering reaction force) acting in a direction in which the steered angle is returned to the neutral angle is generated in the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteering reaction force: Force

Data Source

PatentUS9676414B2Parking assistance device

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A parking assistance device assists the operation of steerable wheels for the entry of a vehicle into a parking space by the automatic control of a steering device. Upon execution of the automatic control, an entry path for moving the vehicle to the parking position is calculated, and also, a target steered angle for moving the vehicle along the entry path is calculated, and the actual steered angle is detected. If the target steered angle is an angle closer to the neutral angle than the actual steered angle, then the operation of the steering wheel through the automatic control is stopped. If the target steered angle is not at an angle closer to the neutral angle than the actual steered angle, then the operation of the steering wheel through the automatic control is executed.