Steering Wheel Rim Integrated Electric Machine Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel arrangements with integrated electric machines require significant space and are difficult to retrofit into conventional vehicles, as the machines need to produce high torques or forces, making them bulky and unsuitable for vehicles not originally designed with such systems.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the electric machine into the steering wheel rim, which provides a large torque arm, allowing the machine to operate with low forces and produce high torque, thus minimizing the required mounting space and enabling easy conversion of mechanical vehicles to GPS-steered vehicles by replacing the conventional steering wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric machine is integrated directly into the steering column to produce high torques, then the steering function can be enhanced, but the machine becomes bulky and requires significant mounting space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the electric machine from the steering column (central axis) to the steering wheel rim (peripheral dimension), utilizing the radial distance from the rotation axis to create a large torque arm. This dimensional shift allows the machine to produce high torque with reduced size and mounting space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the reaction torque generated by the electric machine during operation to provide force feedback to the driver. The stator is connected to the steering column housing, and the rotor to the rim, creating a counterbalancing effect that enhances steering control while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional steering wheel arrangement is used without integration, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but retrofitting electric steering becomes difficult and requires major constructional changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electric steering system into a self-contained module integrated into the steering wheel rim, separate from the steering column. This modular approach allows the electric machine to be added to conventional vehicles without major structural modifications, as it interfaces only with the existing steering wheel and column through standardized connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine integrated in the rim serves multiple functions: providing power steering assistance, generating force feedback, and enabling GPS-steered vehicle operation. This multi-functionality allows a single integration solution to work across different vehicle types and steering configurations, enhancing adaptability.
3Force
If the electric machine is made bulky to produce sufficiently high torques, then the steering performance is adequate, but the mounting space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the electric machine in the steering wheel rim at a large radial distance from the rotation axis, the patent creates a long torque arm that amplifies the effective torque output. This allows the machine to generate sufficient steering torque with much smaller physical dimensions compared to a centrally-mounted machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric distribution of magnetic poles in the electric machine, with a specific arrangement of permanent magnets in the rotor and corresponding coils in the stator. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the magnetic field distribution to maximize torque density within the constrained rim space.
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 solution allows for a compact and cost-effective integration of electric machine technology into existing vehicles, enabling easy conversion to autonomous steering systems without major structural changes, while providing high torque and functional redundancy for angle detection and force feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor comprises a magnet arrangement and the stator comprises a coil arrangement. When the coils are excited in a controlled way, a force acting between the coil and the magnet arrangement is produced which in turn produces the torque on the rim
Implementation Method 2
The machine comprises a plurality of pole pairs. The machine cannot only be used as a motor, but also as an angle sensor. The larger the number of pole pairs is, the better is the resolution of the angle sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel arrangement 1 is described comprising a steering wheel (2) having a rim (3) and a steering column 4 rotatably supported in the housing (5) and connected to the rim (3), wherein an electric machine (9, 13, 14) is operatively connected to the steering wheel (2). Such a steering wheel arrangement should be able to produce a force feedback to a traditional steering wheel in a reliable low-cost solution with a high functional safety rating. To this end electric machine (9, 13, 14) is integrated in the rim (3).