Steer-by-Wire Torque Feedback via Low-Pass Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steer-by-wire steering systems lack a realistic steering feel due to the absence of direct mechanical feedback between the steering wheel and steered wheels, leading to a perceived synthetic or numb steering experience, and the division of software implementations between control units can cause synchronicity issues affecting the steering feel.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating a steer-by-wire steering system that involves detecting the current steering wheel angle and position to determine a target steering wheel torque, which is low-pass filtered and used to provide feedback to the steering wheel, enhancing the dynamic behavior and accounting for external forces, thereby creating a more realistic steering feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the steering torque is calculated and artificially applied via the steering wheel actuator in a steer-by-wire system, then the positioning of steered wheels is achieved, but the steering feel is perceived as synthetic or numb

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering feelVSAvoidauthenticity of steering feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual steering torque from the steering actuator is measured and fed back to the steering wheel actuator. This creates a closed-loop system that reproduces the tactile feedback normally provided by mechanical linkage, allowing the driver to feel road conditions and steering forces authentically rather than receiving artificial torque calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical feedback linkage with an electromechanical system. Sensors measure the actual steering torque, and this information is transmitted electronically to control the steering wheel actuator, substituting direct mechanical coupling with an electronic feedback loop that achieves the same tactile communication function.

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

2Device complexity

If the steering system uses separate control units for steering wheel actuator and steering actuator with data exchange via communication path, then functional decoupling is achieved, but synchronization problems occur leading to sluggish steering feel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol unit architectureVSAvoidsynchronization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of the steering wheel actuator and steering actuator into a unified control system. By integrating the control units, the system eliminates communication delays and synchronization issues between separate controllers, ensuring that steering torque calculations and actuator responses occur in tight coordination without lag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical linkage between steering wheel and steered wheels, then steering assistance precision is improved, but direct mechanical feedback is lost resulting in numb steering experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering position controlVSAvoidtactile feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from torque sensors to measure the actual forces applied to the steered wheels and feeds this information back to the steering wheel actuator. This allows the system to maintain precise electronic control while reproducing the tactile sensations of road conditions and steering resistance that would otherwise be lost without mechanical linkage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary feedback mechanism that mediates between the steering wheel actuator and steering actuator. The torque sensor and control system act as intermediaries to translate and transmit steering forces electronically, replacing the direct mechanical intermediary of the traditional linkage with an electronic feedback intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3727998B1Method for operating a steer-by-wire steering system for a motor vehicle, and steering system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3727998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3727998B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a steer-by-wire steering system (1) comprising a steering device (3) with a steering actuator (34) for setting a steering angle of steered wheels (32) and a steering wheel device (2) for applying a steering wheel torque to a steering wheel (21), having the following steps: - detecting a current steering wheel angle (LRW); - regulating a steering position depending on the current steering wheel angle (LRW) and depending on an actual steering position (IZP) in order to obtain a target steering control variable (SZK) as a control variable for actuating the steering actuator (34), and - determining a target steering wheel torque (SLRM) for actuating the steering wheel actuator (25) depending on the target steering control variable (SZK).