Power Steering Redundant Sensor Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power steering devices face challenges in preserving the steering assist function when abnormalities occur in sensor output signals, leading to potential disruptions in steering control.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of redundant steering torque, angle, and motor position sensor units, along with a control unit that monitors and switches to alternative signals in case of abnormalities, ensuring continuous steering assist functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant sensor units and monitoring systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering sensor system is divided into multiple independent sensor units (first steering sensor unit and second steering sensor unit), each capable of providing steering torque detection signals. This segmentation allows the system to isolate and switch away from faulty sensors while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously compares signals from multiple sensor units in advance before failures occur. By performing preliminary monitoring and comparison, the system can detect abnormalities early and switch to alternative signals before the steering assist function is compromised.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring and signal switching mechanisms are implemented, then reliability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors steering torque detection signals from multiple sensor units and compares them in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection of signal abnormalities and triggers switching to alternative signals when deviations are detected, maintaining reliable operation without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates alternative steering torque detection signals by using data from other functional sensor units when one unit fails. Instead of requiring complex replacement or repair, the control unit generates substitute signals based on available redundant sensors, simplifying the fault response mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If multiple redundant sensor units are used, then measurement precision is maintained during failures, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple relatively simple sensor units that can be easily replaced or switched when one fails. Rather than relying on a single complex, expensive sensor, the design employs multiple simpler units where one can take over if another fails, reducing overall system cost while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a power steering device having at least two redundant steering torque sensor units, at least two redundant steering angel sensor units, at least two redundant motor position sensor units and a control unit configured to: in a normal state, perform steering assist control based on a steering torque detection signal of one of the steering torque sensor units, a steering angle detection signal of one of the steering angle sensor units and a motor position detection signal of one of the motor position sensor units; perform redundant monitoring on the steering torque sensor units, the steering angel sensor units and the motor position sensor units; and, upon detection of an abnormality in any sensor output signal by the redundant monitoring, switch the abnormal signal to an alternative signal.