Steer-by-Brake Capability Estimation for Degraded Steering Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-brake systems in vehicles may fail to adequately communicate their performance capabilities, leading to insufficient vehicle response and unexpected steering efforts during system failures or degradations, particularly in connected EPS and SbW steering systems.
Innovation Solution
A physics-based mathematical model is employed to estimate the instantaneous steer-by-brake (SbB) capability, allowing for the calculation of target and instantaneous metrics, and providing capability status indications to drivers and other vehicle systems, enabling adaptive adjustments to enhance vehicle controllability and communication of performance limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steer-by-brake systems are used to provide steering control during system failures, then vehicle steering control is maintained, but the system fails to adequately communicate performance capabilities leading to insufficient vehicle response and unexpected steering efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by providing capability status indications to the driver and vehicle systems. The controller communicates the current performance capabilities of the steer-by-brake system through intuitive feedback signals, allowing the driver and other vehicle systems to understand the actual steering performance available. This resolves the information loss by creating a closed-loop communication system where capability status is continuously reported back to users and controlling systems.
2Device complexity
If steer-by-brake systems operate without capability estimation, then system complexity is reduced, but vehicle response becomes insufficient and steering efforts become unexpected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by estimating the capability status of the steer-by-brake system in advance before actual steering maneuvers are executed. The controller continuously calculates capability status indications based on current system state, so that when steering commands are issued, the driver and vehicle systems already understand the performance boundaries. This prevents unexpected steering efforts by preparing capability information proactively rather than reactively.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for vehicle steering control includes estimating a target steering metric using at least one vehicle signal associated with a vehicle, the target steering metric being associated with a requested steering maneuver. The method also includes estimating an instantaneous steer-by-brake metric using the at least one vehicle signal, and determining whether a steer-by-brake function of a steering system of the vehicle can achieve the target steering metric based on the target steering metric and the instantaneous steer-by-brake metric. The method also includes calculating a steer-by-brake capability status of the steer-by-brake function, and, in response to a determination that the steer-by-brake function can achieve the target steering metric generating a first steer-by-brake capability indication, and providing the first steer-by-brake capability indication.