Steer-by-Wire Synchronization via Electronic Control Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steer-by-wire systems face challenges in maintaining vehicle stability during handover of control between different input devices, as there is no mechanical linkage, leading to abrupt changes in vehicle behavior and loss of control.

Innovation Solution

A steer-by-wire system with an electronic control unit that synchronizes the positions of multiple input devices within 0.1 seconds, using position measuring devices and actuators to ensure seamless transition and maintain stability, allowing for human and automated driving system interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If steer-by-wire systems use multiple independent control input devices without mechanical linkage, then automation and flexibility are improved, but control stability and synchronization during handover deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures the position of each control input device using position measuring devices and feeds this information back to the electronic control unit. The ECU calculates output signals that actively adjust the actuators to maintain synchronization between input devices, preventing abrupt changes during handover and ensuring control stability throughout the transition process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control unit acts as an intermediary between the independent control input devices and the driving actuator. It receives input signals from multiple position measuring devices, processes them to determine the desired control output, and generates appropriate control signals for the actuators, thereby coordinating the otherwise independent devices to work together seamlessly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mechanical linkage is used between dual control input devices, then synchronization and control stability are improved, but device complexity and mechanical connection requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical linkages and hydraulic connections with an electronic control system. Position measuring devices electronically sense the position of each input device, and the electronic control unit processes these signals to generate appropriate control outputs, eliminating the need for physical mechanical connections between control devices while maintaining synchronization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control unit serves multiple functions: it receives input signals from multiple position measuring devices, determines the active control device based on handover signals, calculates appropriate output signals for synchronization, and controls multiple actuators. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanical systems into a single electronic control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4353567A1Steer-by-wire-system or similar system
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ARNOLD NEXTG GMBH
  • EP4353567A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4353567A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4353567A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A Steer-by-wire system or similar system comprising: A first steering input device (08) having a mechanical steering element (10) that is connected to a shaft (11) of a first actuator (12) and provided with a first position measuring device (13) measuring the position of the element (10); a second steering input device (07); a driving actuator (02) for an element (06) to be controlled by the steer-by-wire system having a second position measuring device (04) measuring the position of the element (06); an electronic control unit (01) receiving input signals from the first and second position measuring devices (13, 04) and simultaneously from the first and second input devices (08, 07) and providing control signals for the first actuator (12) and the driving actuator (02), and handover signals from external systems wherein the electronic control unit (01) calculates an output signal for the first actuator (12) that causes the steering element (10) to take a position that is determined by the input signal of the second input device (07) within less than 0.1 sec.