Autonomous Steering Zero-Position Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle electronic steering systems require manual alignment for setting a zero-position, which is impractical without a steering wheel, and there is a need for automated methods to identify and store straight-ahead wheel positions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that use a computing device to obtain a steering calibration command, determine maximum steering angles, identify a zero-position center, and store these values for future use, broadcasting them via a CAN bus, allowing for automated calibration of the steering mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment is used to set the zero-position, then the steering system can be calibrated, but the process becomes impractical when a steering wheel is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system performs self-calibration by automatically determining the zero-position center and maximum steering angles through software algorithms that analyze steering motor position data, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations and making the system adaptable to vehicles without steering wheels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual alignment process with an electronic/software-based calibration system that uses the steering motor's position feedback to automatically identify the zero-position center and maximum steering angles, enabling calibration in steering-wheelless autonomous vehicles
2Extent of automation
If automated calibration is implemented, then the vehicle can determine straight-ahead position without manual intervention, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steering motor and position sensor infrastructure is made multi-functional by adding calibration capabilities that reuse the same hardware components for both normal steering operations and zero-position determination, avoiding the need for separate dedicated calibration hardware and minimizing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software intermediary layer that processes steering motor position data to determine the zero-position center and maximum steering angles, acting as a mediator between the existing hardware and the calibration function without requiring additional physical components
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing operations onboard a vehicle is provided. The method obtains a steering calibration command, by a computing device communicatively coupled to a steering mechanism for the vehicle; initiates execution of the steering calibration command, by the computing device via the steering mechanism; determines at least one maximum steering angle of the vehicle, based on execution of the steering calibration command, the at least one maximum steering angle being associated with a maximum potential position of the steering mechanism; identifies a zero-position center of the steering mechanism, based on the at least one maximum steering angle of the vehicle; stores the zero-position center and the at least one maximum steering angle, by the computing device, for future use; and broadcasts the zero-position center and the at least one maximum steering angle, via a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of the vehicle, by the communication device.