Redundant Motor Position Detection for Steering Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering systems for vehicles lack redundancy in detecting the rotational position of the motor shaft, which can lead to design constraints such as increased complexity and cost, and may result in reduced reliability and accuracy in controlling the steering angle.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a redundant detection system using multiple magnets and sensors supported by separate circuit boards, allowing for the detection of the rotational position of the motor shaft, ensuring continued functionality even if one component fails, and balancing design constraints like cost and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sensor and circuit board are used to detect motor shaft position, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability is compromised due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensor-circuit board pairs, where each pair can independently detect the position of the motor shaft. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while keeping each individual sensor unit relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor-circuit board pair is designed with localized functionality to detect specific magnetic field positions. The circuit boards are positioned at different locations around the motor shaft, with each board detecting signals from magnets at specific angular positions, thereby distributing the detection function across multiple localized units rather than requiring a single complex centralized system.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and circuit boards are used for redundant detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circuit boards are designed with identical or similar functional capabilities, each capable of independently detecting motor shaft position. This universality allows the system to achieve redundancy without requiring complex differentiating logic for each sensor unit, as each unit performs the same basic function of position detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple simple sensor-circuit board detection units into a unified detection system. Rather than creating one complex detection mechanism, the system merges multiple identical or similar simple units, where the combined output provides redundant position information that enhances overall system reliability.
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 enhances the reliability and accuracy of steering angle control by providing redundant detection of the motor shaft's rotational position, ensuring continued operation even if one sensor or circuit board fails, thus improving the overall reliability and reducing design complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor may be positioned in the housing and configured to detect the magnet. The sensor may be configured to detect a rotational position of the motor based on the position of the magnet.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a motor having a shaft. The assembly includes a first gear operatively coupled to the shaft. The assembly includes a second gear operatively coupled to the shaft. The assembly includes a first magnet supported by the first gear. The assembly includes a second magnet supported by the second gear. The assembly includes a first sensor configured to detect the first magnet. The assembly includes a second sensor configured to detect the second magnet.