Steering Assistance Device Angular Range Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering systems face instability due to steering play segments where the steering force does not change the wheel direction, leading to inaccurate steering and unstable driving, especially when drivers are unaware of the segment's range.

Innovation Solution

A steering assistance device and method that adjust steering force based on detected steering angles, increasing assistance within the steering play segment and reducing it outside, using a control unit to manage a motor and pump unit to provide enhanced steering feedback and guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If steering force is transmitted to the wheel in the steering play segment, then the steering play segment disappears and steering accuracy improves, but the vehicle becomes unstable due to vibration and steering corrections become necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoiddriving stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit applies different steering assistance characteristics to different steering angle ranges. Within the steering play segment (first angular range), the system provides enhanced steering force transmission to improve accuracy, while outside this segment (second angular range), the system reduces assistance to maintain stability. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing precise control where needed without compromising overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If there is a steering play segment, then steering stability is maintained, but the driver cannot grasp the range of the steering play segment and steering accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving stabilityVSAvoidsteering accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the steering angle and provides differentiated steering assistance based on whether the angle falls within the pre-defined first angular range (steering play segment) or the second angular range. This feedback mechanism allows the driver to感知 the boundaries of the steering play segment through varying assistance levels, thereby improving steering accuracy while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If steering assistance is provided continuously, then lane keeping capability improves, but the driver cannot distinguish the steering play segment range and steering control becomes imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane keeping capabilityVSAvoidsteering control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The steering assistance system dynamically adjusts its assistance level based on the detected steering angle. When the steering angle is within the first angular range (steering play segment), the system provides one level of assistance, and when outside this range, it provides a different level of assistance. This dynamic adjustment enables the driver to感知 the steering play segment boundaries while maintaining effective lane keeping assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3495243B1Steering assistance device and steering assistance method
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 ISUZU MOTORS LTD
  • EP3495243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495243B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A steering assistance device (1) includes: a steering angle sensor (30) for detecting a steering angle of a vehicle (V); a motor (20) for performing steering assistance of the vehicle (V) by applying torque to a steering shaft (12); and a control unit (70) for increasing increases the amount of steering assistance by the motor (20) in case where the detected steering angle is included in an angular range (rθ) corresponding to a steering play segment in which steering will not alter the direction of wheels of the vehicle (V) as compared with a case where the detected steering angle is not included in an angular range (rθ).