Steer-By-Wire Backup Control for Steering Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire vehicle steering systems face challenges in reliability due to potential electronic component failures, which can lead to steering control malfunctions and safety issues during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system with a primary control unit and secondary control units such as electronic stability program, rear-wheel steering, and torque vectoring systems that can activate to assist in steering control when the primary unit fails, providing redundancy and ensuring safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steer-by-wire system is used to eliminate mechanical connection and achieve modernization, then vehicle technology advancement is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to electronic component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backup control unit that remains in standby mode ready to take over control when the primary control unit fails. This pre-prepared redundancy cushioning against potential electronic failures, allowing the steer-by-wire system to maintain reliability while achieving modernization goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational state parameter of the control units by switching from primary to backup mode when failure is detected. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to failure conditions and maintain steering functionality despite electronic component issues.
2Reliability
If redundancy is added to the steering system to improve reliability, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup control unit is designed to perform the same steering control functions as the primary unit, making it a universal component. This multi-functionality approach allows redundancy to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the backup unit can directly replace the primary unit's functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the primary control unit's functionality in the backup control unit. This copying approach provides the necessary redundancy for safety while keeping the added complexity manageable by replicating only the essential steering control functions rather than the entire system.
3Ease of operation
If electronic components are used in steer-by-wire systems to achieve decoupling, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential failures during motion
Solution Approach 1:
The status detection unit continuously monitors the primary control unit's operational state and provides feedback to the control system. When failure is detected, this feedback triggers automatic switching to the backup control unit, maintaining ease of operation while compensating for electronic component failures through real-time monitoring and response.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering system includes (i) a first control unit configured to perform the steering function of the vehicle, (ii) a status detection unit configured to detect the operational state of the first control unit, and (iii) at least one second control unit configured to participate in the control of the steering function of the vehicle in the event that an abnormal operational state of the first control unit is detected. A method and a computer program product for controlling vehicle steering is also disclosed. Not only can redundancy for the steering system be provided to high-level autonomous driving systems and/or assisted driving system, especially achieving redundant design for steer-by-wire systems and ensuring safety when the vehicle is in motion, but it can also effectively enhance the stability and comfort of vehicle steering.