Steer-by-Wire Tactile Feedback via Self-Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire systems lack the immediate feedback from the road wheels to the driver, leading to a loss of sense of wheel behavior, particularly in situations like slippery surfaces or obstacles, and existing solutions fail to accurately replicate this feedback and prevent excessive steering wheel movement.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system with a user-operated movable input device and a controlled movable device, utilizing a self-locking mechanism that detects and responds to the actual motion of the controlled device, providing tactile feedback by moving the input device accordingly, thus mimicking the conventional mechanical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical connection between steering wheel and road wheels is omitted to enable steer-by-wire system, then configuration flexibility and safety are improved, but immediate feedback from road wheels to driver is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the position and motion of the road wheels are continuously sensed and transmitted back to the steering wheel. Sensors detect the actual position of the road wheels and this information is fed back to move the steering wheel accordingly, restoring the feedback loop that was removed by the mechanical disconnect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical connection with an electronic control system. Instead of mechanical linkages transmitting force and position directly, the system uses sensors, controllers, and actuators to replicate the steering function and feedback mechanism, allowing the mechanical connection to be omitted while maintaining functional equivalence.
2Loss of information
If reaction force is introduced to steering wheel to simulate road wheel behavior, then tactile feedback is improved, but the system complexity increases and the reaction force may create new steering inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from sensors that detect the actual position and motion of the road wheels to control the reaction force applied to the steering wheel. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the reaction force accurately reflects the real-world conditions without introducing spurious steering inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the reaction force based on real-time sensor data without requiring additional manual intervention. The control system self-regulates the force application to match the actual road wheel behavior, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If steering column is maintained for failure events, then safety is improved, but the steer-by-wire advantage of simplified configuration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a backup mechanical steering connection that can be activated in the event of system failure. This pre-configured backup mechanism provides a safety net that activates only when needed, cushioning against the risks of the electronic system failing while maintaining the simplified configuration during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control system comprising a user operated movable input device (1) and a controlled movable device (9) to be controlled in accordance with an input provided via said movable input device. The remote control system has means for providing tactile feed-back to said user via said user operated movable input device. The means for providing tactile feedback comprises a self locking means (5) for effecting motion of said movable input device, so as to move said movable input device in response to actual motion of said controlled movable device.