Hydraulic Power Steering Recovery During Engine Shutdown

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles equipped with hydraulic power steering systems, unintentional shutdown of the combustion engine leads to a loss of power steering assistance, posing a safety risk, especially when the vehicle is in motion.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device that activate the starter to crank the combustion engine, thereby driving the hydraulic pump and restoring power steering assistance, even in cases of unintentional shutdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the combustion engine is unintentionally shutdown, then fuel consumption is reduced, but power steering assistance is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidpower steering assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device activates the starter motor before the combustion engine is fully shutdown to crank the engine and maintain hydraulic pump operation, ensuring power steering assistance is restored in advance before steering operations are needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The starter motor serves as an intermediary component that is activated to crank the combustion engine, enabling the hydraulic pump to operate and provide power steering assistance during engine shutdown periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the starter is continuously activated to maintain power steering, then power steering assistance is maintained, but the starter may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower steering assistanceVSAvoidstarter durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The control device activates the starter motor only partially or intermittently based on detected steering operations, providing sufficient cranking action to restore power steering assistance without continuous activation that would damage the starter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device employs periodic activation of the starter motor based on detected steering operations, cranking the combustion engine at intervals when steering input is detected rather than continuously, thereby maintaining power steering assistance while limiting starter motor runtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the hydraulic pump is driven by the combustion engine, then power steering assistance is provided, but the system cannot operate when the engine is not rotating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower steering assistanceVSAvoidsystem operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed so the combustion engine serves multiple functions: normal vehicle propulsion and power steering assistance during shutdown. The starter motor adds the capability to crank the engine on demand, enabling the hydraulic pump to provide power steering assistance regardless of engine rotation state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically activates the starter motor based on detected steering operations during engine shutdown, allowing the combustion engine to transition from a non-rotating state to a rotating state to drive the hydraulic pump when power steering assistance is needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 safe steering and operation of the vehicle by maintaining power steering assistance during unintentional combustion engine shutdowns, reducing the risk of accidents and minimizing starter load to prevent damage.

Implementation Method 1

activating the starter to crank the combustion engine so that the combustion engine drives the hydraulic pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12240539B2Control device, method, computer program and computer readable medium for enabling power steering of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SCANIA CV AB

AI summary

A control device and a method for enabling power steering of a vehicle in case of unintentional shutdown of a combustion engine of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle comprises, in addition to the combustion engine, a starter configured to crank the combustion engine and a hydraulic power steering system comprising a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the combustion engine. The method comprises a step of, in response to an indication of need of power steering, activating the starter to crank the combustion engine so that the combustion engine drives the hydraulic pump. A computer program, a computer-readable medium and a vehicle are also provided.