Steer-by-Wire Redundant Sensor Power Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire steering systems lack fail-safety due to the absence of a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the toothed rack, requiring a reliable and redundant electronic solution to ensure accurate and reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A steer-by-wire steering system with redundant sensors and processing paths, where a primary sensor is powered directly by the actuator unit, reducing complexity and ensuring continuous operation even if one sensor fails, with independent power supplies and communication between components to maintain reliable signal processing and wheel angle setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical connection between steering wheel and toothed rack is omitted to enable steer-by-wire steering, then modernization and automation are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss of direct mechanical feedback and increased dependency on electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a fallback sensor that is pre-configured and ready to activate if the primary sensor fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures that steering functionality is maintained even when the primary sensing system fails, directly addressing the reliability concern while preserving the automated steer-by-wire capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different components: the primary sensor receives full power for optimal performance, while the fallback sensor is powered only when needed through the actuator unit. This local quality differentiation optimizes reliability where critical while reducing overall system complexity and power requirements.
2Reliability
If a fallback sensor is added to the steer-by-wire system to improve reliability, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and power management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fallback sensor's power supply with the actuator unit's power system. Instead of requiring a separate power management system for the fallback sensor, it utilizes the existing actuator power interface, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of having a fallback sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic failover: when the primary sensor fails, the control unit automatically activates the fallback sensor without requiring manual intervention or complex power management. The actuator unit automatically provides power to the fallback sensor when needed, reducing the burden on the overall power management system.
3Device complexity
If the primary sensor is powered directly from the actuator unit instead of the vehicle electrical system, then device complexity is reduced by eliminating separate power conversion, but reliability may worsen due to dependency on actuator power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator unit is given a dual function: it both actuates the steering mechanism and supplies power to the primary sensor. This universality eliminates the need for separate power conversion equipment, reducing device complexity. The reliability concern is mitigated by the fact that the actuator is already a critical powered component in the system, so its power supply infrastructure is inherently robust.
Data Source
AI summary
A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle is disclosed. The steering system has a steering wheel, a first sensor for capturing a steering angle of the steering wheel, a processing logic unit for determining a wheel setting angle requirement on the basis of the captured steering angle, and an actuator unit for setting a wheel setting angle at wheels of the vehicle according to the wheel setting angle requirement determined by the processing logic unit. The sensor is electrically connected to the actuator unit and is supplied with electrical energy via the actuator unit. There is at least one further sensor for capturing a steering angle of the steering wheel, which further sensor is used as a fallback solution if the first sensor fails, wherein the processing logic unit is configured to process primarily a signal from the first sensor and to process the signal from the further sensor only if the first sensor fails.