Steer-by-Wire Haptic Feedback via Wheel-Axis Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-wire steering systems face challenges in providing accurate and timely haptic feedback to drivers due to inadequate detection of road forces and accelerations by acceleration sensors, which can lead to suboptimal communication of road conditions and driving behavior.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an acceleration sensor within the wheel positioning device, where it is protected from environmental influences and can detect forces and accelerations with high quality and speed, allowing for improved haptic feedback at the steering handle through the control device processing acceleration data and generating appropriate torque and vibration patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an acceleration sensor is installed in the vehicle to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback can be provided at the steering handle, but the forces and accelerations acting on the wheel and chassis may not be detected with sufficient quality and speed due to the installation situation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves as an intermediary that receives acceleration data from the acceleration sensor and processes it to generate appropriate haptic feedback signals. This intermediary processing step allows the system to compensate for detection quality issues by filtering, integrating, and transforming the raw acceleration data into meaningful haptic feedback patterns that accurately represent road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling between the wheel positioning device and steering handle with an electrical signal transmission system. The acceleration sensor electronically detects forces and accelerations, and the control device transmits processed signals to the feedback actuator, eliminating the need for mechanical force transmission and allowing for more precise and flexible haptic feedback control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a steer-by-wire steering system is implemented without mechanical connection between steering device and wheel positioning device, then steering control is achieved exclusively electrically, but haptic feedback requiring force transmission becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it processes steering commands from the steering device, controls the wheel positioning device, processes acceleration sensor data, and generates haptic feedback signals. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated control unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining steering flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback actuator serves as an intermediary that converts electrical control signals into mechanical force/torque at the steering handle. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the electrical steer-by-wire system and the driver's tactile perception, enabling haptic feedback without requiring direct mechanical connection between the steering device and wheel positioning device.
3Productivity
If acceleration data is processed to provide haptic feedback with high quality and speed, then road conditions are communicated effectively to the driver, but the system requires sophisticated processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously processes acceleration sensor data in advance, maintaining a ready state for generating haptic feedback signals. By pre-processing the acceleration data and maintaining buffered information about road conditions, the system can provide immediate haptic feedback response without requiring complex real-time computation at the moment feedback is needed, thus achieving high response speed with manageable processing complexity.
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
Enhances the quality and speed of haptic feedback at the steering handle, effectively communicating road conditions and driving behavior to the driver, while maintaining a compact and economical system design by utilizing existing components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one acceleration sensor, the feedback actuator and the acceleration data acquired by the acceleration sensor being used to provide haptic feedback at the steering handle
Implementation Method 2
The haptic signaling may comprise a vibration and/or a brief application of force, for example a torque at the manual steering wheel handle
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle and with a steering device, the steering device having a manual steering handle, a steering sensor system and a feedback actuator, and with a wheel positioning device, the wheel positioning device having a positioning actuator for steering at least one wheel, and with at least one control device, the control device electrically connecting the steering device and the wheel positioning device to one another, and with at least one acceleration sensor, the feedback actuator and the acceleration data acquired by the acceleration sensor being used to provide haptic feedback at the steering handle.