Removable Steering Angle Sensor for Rough Road Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor-driven power steering apparatuses for vehicles require complex structures and dedicated sensors, leading to increased cost and weight, and face challenges in maintenance and power supply efficiency, particularly in detecting open battery conditions.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a steering angle sensor arrangement that can be easily installed, removed, and replaced on the steering shaft, with a power supply diagnostics device that detects voltage fluctuations and shuts down power to prevent excessive consumption during open battery conditions, and a compact design that reduces vibration and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the potentiometer is integrated into the gear case, then the steering angle detection function is achieved, but the maintenance complexity increases and repair time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The potentiometer is separated from the gear case into an independent removable module. This segmentation allows the potentiometer to be replaced without disassembling the entire gear case, reducing maintenance complexity and repair time while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The potentiometer is extracted as a separate component that can be independently removed and replaced. This extraction enables straightforward maintenance operations where only the potentiometer needs to be accessed and replaced, not the entire integrated assembly.
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated steering angle sensor is used, then the steering angle detection precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steering shaft and gear case structure are made to serve dual purposes: mechanical steering transmission and electrical angle sensing. The potentiometer utilizes the existing rotational movement of the steering shaft, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering angle sensing function is merged with the existing mechanical steering components. The potentiometer is mounted on the gear case which is already part of the steering mechanism, combining structural and sensing functions into a unified system.
3Device complexity
If the battery voltage is not monitored, then the power supply simplicity is maintained, but the power consumption efficiency deteriorates during open battery conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A voltage detection circuit provides feedback about the battery's electrical state to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the ECU to identify open battery conditions and adjust power delivery accordingly, preventing excessive power consumption while maintaining simple hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and responds to battery conditions without requiring manual intervention. The ECU monitors voltage fluctuations and self-adjusts power supply to the motor-driven power steering apparatus, enabling the system to serve itself in managing power consumption efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator unit, is disposed in a middle portion of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle is disposed on one end of the steering shaft, or more specifically, on a lower end portion of an output shaft, or a leading end portion of an output shaft. During maintenance, this arrangement provides for easy removal and installation of the steering angle sensor.