Steer-by-Brake Control for Low-Speed Commercial Vehicle Lane Keeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering control systems for commercial vehicles face challenges in autonomously maintaining lane position during low-speed operations, such as traffic jams, leading to increased brake lining wear and difficulty in autonomous steering, especially in stop-and-go situations.
Innovation Solution
A steering control system that uses a sensor unit and control module to detect braking requests and lateral offsets, generating steering signals to brake wheels asymmetrically and steer the vehicle, allowing for autonomous lane correction without active steering actuators, employing the Steer-by-Brake function as a regular operation mode during traffic jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional steering control systems are used during low-speed operations, then the vehicle can maintain basic steering control, but the brake lining wear increases due to frequent braking in stop-and-go situations
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its traditional stopping function and a steering function. The control module activates the braking system for lateral vehicle movement correction in addition to speed control, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for dedicated steering actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary that translates steering demands into asymmetric braking commands. It receives steering requests and converts them into differential braking forces on left and right wheels, mediating between the conventional braking system and the desired steering function
2Extent of automation
If active steering actuators are installed for autonomous steering, then autonomous lane following capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its traditional stopping function and a steering function. The control module activates the braking system for lateral vehicle movement correction in addition to speed control, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for dedicated steering actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional braking system is made to serve itself by enabling it to perform steering functions. Instead of adding separate steering actuators, the system uses the existing braking components to achieve both stopping and steering objectives, making the system self-sufficient for autonomous operation
3Speed
If asymmetric braking is applied for steering correction, then the steering response speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies braking in periodic, controlled pulses rather than continuous application. The control module activates asymmetric braking only when steering correction is needed and deactivates it when the vehicle aligns with the desired path, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining responsive steering correction
Solution Approach 2:
The control module dynamically adjusts the braking force parameters based on the steering demand and vehicle state. By modulating the brake pressure and duration, the system achieves effective steering correction with minimal energy input, optimizing the balance between response speed and energy consumption
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 reduces brake lining wear and enables autonomous lane maintenance without the need for active steering actuators, making it suitable for commercial vehicles, even in heavy ones, by using the braking system to correct vehicle orientation, thus minimizing additional costs and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a braking system (20) configured, based on a steering demand, to brake dissymmetrically side wheels (12) of the vehicle (10) to steer the vehicle (10) based on a resulting yaw moment
Data Source
AI summary
A steering control system for a commercial vehicle having a braking system to brake dissymmetrically wheels. The steering control system, including a sensor unit and a control module, is configured to detect a braking request or deceleration of the vehicle and/or to detect a lateral offset and to generate a brake indication signal and/or steering demand. The control module is configured to receive the brake indication signal and/or steering demand. If the steering demand is below a predetermined threshold value, the control module is configured to generate the steering signal only if the brake indication signal indicates a braking request. If the steering demand exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the control module is configured to generate the steering signal even if the brake indication signal indicates no braking request. The control module provides the steering signal to the braking system to brake the vehicle dissymmetrically to steer the vehicle.