Steer-by-Wire Tactile Feedback Assembly With Brake-Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile feedback devices (TFDs) are inadequate for providing active features like return-to-center, command following, and active force-feel in steer-by-wire systems, while motors lack end stop control and resistive torque, leading to a need for a combined solution that maximizes the strengths of both TFDs and motors for human-machine interface steering.
Innovation Solution
A combined brake and motor system, where the TFD provides end stop control and resistive torque, and the motor offers motion control, including return-to-center, command following, and active force-feel, integrated with a microcontroller and position sensor for electronic communication and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor is used to provide active control features (return-to-center, command following, active force-feel), then motion control capability is improved, but end stop control and resistive torque capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a motor and a tactile feedback device (TFD) brake into a single integrated assembly. The motor provides active motion control features while the TFD brake provides end stop control and resistive torque. Both components are mechanically coupled to the same steering shaft, allowing them to work together in a unified system that delivers both types of control capability simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a TFD brake is used to provide end stop control and resistive torque, then tactile feedback capability is improved, but active control features (return-to-center, command following, active force-feel) deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a motor and a tactile feedback device (TFD) brake into a single assembly where both components share a common steering shaft. The TFD brake provides tactile feedback, end stop control, and variable resistive torque, while the motor simultaneously provides active control features including return-to-center, command following, and active force-feel. This merging allows the system to deliver both tactile feedback and active control capabilities without requiring separate systems.
3Force
If a motor is sized to provide equivalent torque to a TFD brake for resistive torque, then torque capability is improved, but device size and current consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a motor and a TFD brake into a single integrated assembly. The TFD brake is sized to provide the necessary resistive torque and end stop control, while the motor is sized only to provide active control features. This eliminates the need to oversize the motor to match TFD torque levels, as the TFD handles the high torque requirements while the motor handles fine motion control.
4Ease of operation
If only a motor is used for steer-by-wire control, then active control features are improved, but tactile feedback and braking capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a motor and a tactile feedback device (TFD) brake into a single assembly that provides both active control and tactile feedback capabilities. The motor delivers active control features such as return-to-center, command following, and active force-feel, while the TFD brake simultaneously provides tactile feedback, end stop control, and variable resistive torque. This unified assembly eliminates the need for separate systems.
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
This hybrid system enables a steer-by-wire system capable of providing both tactile feedback and motion control, optimizing performance for human operators by overcoming the limitations of standalone TFDs and motors, allowing for efficient and effective steering responses.
Implementation Method 1
a coil to activate magnetically responsive (MR) medium such as magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) or magnetically responsive powder (MR powder) to produce brake torque
Implementation Method 2
a coil to activate magnetically responsive (MR) medium
Data Source
AI summary
A combined brake and motor providing tactile feedback control to a human-machine interface steering input device as part of a steer-by-wire system is provided. The brake is a tactile feedback device (TFD) brake and the motor is an electric motor coupled to the brake. The brake provides end stop control and resistive torque to the steer-by-wire system. The motor provides motion control to the steer-by-wire system, where motion control includes a return-to-center, a command following, an on-center control, an active force-feel, and/or a warning mode (e.g., similar to an aircraft stick shaker or a lane departure). The steer-by-wire system is an active system.