Steer-By-Wire Failure Control to Prevent Rack Free-Rolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-wire systems face challenges in safely controlling vehicle steering when both the Steering Feedback Actuator (SFA) and Road Wheel Actuator (RWA) fail, leading to instability and difficulty in moving the vehicle to a safe location.
Innovation Solution
A steering control apparatus and method that includes an information receiver, failure determinator, and controller to identify actuator failures and control switch elements in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to prevent free-rolling of the rack and ensure stable steering, even in dual failure scenarios, using redundant structures and three-phase connection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant structure with two systems is configured in steer-by-wire, then system reliability is improved to operate with 50% to 100% power, but the system becomes unstable and difficult to control when both systems fail
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies preliminary action by proactively determining failure states of the SFA and RWA before complete system collapse occurs. By continuously monitoring status information and detecting failure conditions early, the system can transition to safe operation modes and prevent unstable control situations from developing
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the failed actuator systems and the steering control function. It mediates the failure by detecting actuator status, determining failure states, and implementing alternative control strategies through the remaining functional components to maintain stable steering control
2Adaptability or versatility
If both SFA and RWA are in failure state, then system redundancy is exhausted, but the vehicle cannot be safely controlled to move to a safe location
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by adaptively changing its operational mode based on the detected failure state. When both SFA and RWA fail, the controller dynamically transitions to a safe operation mode that utilizes remaining functional components to maintain steering control and move the vehicle to a safe location
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs self-service by autonomously determining failure states and implementing corrective control actions without external intervention. It monitors its own system status, detects failures, and activates appropriate control strategies to maintain safety functionality
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling steering of a vehicle, and may provide an apparatus and method for receiving at least one of a steering angle of a steering wheel connected to a Steering Feedback Actuator (SFA), a torque, first position information of a first rack connected to a Road Wheel Actuator (RWA), or status information of an ECU connected to each of the SFA and the RWA, determining whether the SFA or the RWA is in a failure state based on at least one of the steering angle, the torque, or the first position information, and controlling a switch element of the ECU based on the status information of the ECU connected to the SFA or the RWA in the failure state if the SFA or the RWA is determined to be in the failure state.