Power Steering Degradation Detection Across Dynamic Hydraulic Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting degradation in power steering systems, particularly in heavy commercial vehicles, are inadequate for dynamically operating hydraulic systems, failing to provide early detection of servo effect loss or steering ability loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor and detect degradation by comparing actual response parameters with nominal parameters, using sensors and a controller to determine deviations and thresholds, and provide warnings or emergency stops when deviations exceed predefined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic pump speed changes in wide range to meet dynamic steering demands, then steering adaptability is improved, but degradation detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-point degradation detection to multi-dimensional surface curve comparison. Instead of comparing scalar values at discrete operating points, the invention creates three-dimensional performance surfaces by plotting pump power against multiple operating parameters (speed, pressure, temperature, steering angle) and compares these surfaces over time. This dimensional expansion enables accurate degradation detection across the entire dynamic operating range, resolving the contradiction between steering adaptability and degradation detection difficulty.
2Measurement precision
If multi-dimensional surface curve comparison is used for degradation detection, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the hydraulic pump operation, collects operating parameters from various sensors, calculates performance parameters, generates surface curves, compares them for degradation detection, and triggers warnings. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated controller, achieving high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operating data and existing controller resources to perform self-diagnosis and degradation detection. Instead of requiring external monitoring equipment or additional specialized sensors, the system leverages its inherent operational parameters and computational capabilities to detect its own degradation, thereby improving measurement precision without adding significant external complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for detection a degradation of a power steering system (100), the method comprising determining at least one actual response parameter of the system depending on steering input parameters and comparing the at least one actual response parameter of the system to at least one nominal response parameter of the system. Further, the present invention refers to a steering system.