Redundant Hydraulic Steering Unit for Backup Autonomous Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic steering systems for vehicles lack redundancy and fail to provide a backup mechanism for autonomous steering, particularly when electrically actuated valves malfunction, and often require multiple valve units, increasing size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic steering system with a single hydraulic steering unit incorporating two redundant hydraulic components and control devices that operate independently, allowing one to take over if the other fails, ensuring continuous functionality and reducing system size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple valve units are used to provide redundancy for autonomous steering, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve units into a single integrated hydraulic steering unit. The control electronics are configured to control both the first and second hydraulic components through a unified valve unit, eliminating the need for separate valve units while maintaining redundant steering capability. This merging approach reduces device complexity and cost while preserving reliability through the redundant hydraulic components within the single unit.
2Device complexity
If a single hydraulic steering unit with redundant components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic steering unit is segmented into functionally independent first and second hydraulic components that can be manufactured and tested separately before integration. The control electronics are programmed to independently control each hydraulic component, allowing for modular assembly and reduced integration precision requirements. This segmentation enables standard manufacturing tolerances while achieving the desired redundant functionality.
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
The system provides redundancy and backup control, maintaining steering functionality even if one component fails, while being compact and cost-effective, suitable for both on-road and off-road vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Each hydraulic component is configured to change a hydraulic flow of a hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
The steering motor, which may be a steering mechanics, that can be actuated by hydraulic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic steering system (100) for steering a vehicle with a steering mechanics (112). The hydraulic steering system (100) includes a hydraulic steering unit (101). A single hydraulic steering unit (101) includes two outlet ports (111) configured to allow hydraulic fluid to be discharged from the hydraulic steering unit (101) to the steering mechanics (112) of the vehicle, at least two redundant hydraulic components (108, 109) configured to change a hydraulic flow of the hydraulic fluid and to be fluidically connected to the outlet ports (111), a first steering control device (102) for controlling a first hydraulic component (108) of the at least two hydraulic components (108, 109) and configured to change the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit (101) and a second hydraulic component (109) configured to change the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit (101). In order to provide an improved hydraulic steering system, the single hydraulic steering unit (101) further includes a second steering control device (105) for controlling the second hydraulic component (109) of the at least two hydraulic components (108, 109).