Steering Control Device Adjusting Angles for Failed Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steering devices with uncoupled left and right mechanisms face a significant reduction in turning ability when one mechanism fails, as the uncontrollable wheel can lead to impaired vehicle maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

A control device that determines and adjusts target steering angles for each mechanism independently, allowing the operational mechanism to compensate for the failed one by altering its steering angle to maintain vehicle control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If left and right steering mechanisms are not mechanically coupled to each other, then weight and cost are reduced, but turning ability significantly decreases when one mechanism fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of steering deviceVSAvoidturning ability when anomaly occurs

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device changes the steered angle parameter of the normal steering mechanism when an anomaly is detected. Specifically, it sets the steered angle of the normal mechanism to be different from the target steered angle, allowing the vehicle to maintain turning ability by adjusting the steering parameters dynamically based on the abnormal condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors the status of both steering mechanisms and provides feedback control. When an anomaly is detected in one mechanism, the control device adjusts the steered angle of the normal mechanism accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains vehicle steerability despite component failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a failsafe mechanism mechanically couples two shafts with pins, then reliability improves when anomaly occurs, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning ability when anomaly occursVSAvoidcomplexity of failsafe mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical failsafe coupling mechanism (shafts, pins, engagement portions) with an electronic control system. The control device uses sensors and control algorithms to monitor steering mechanism status and adjust the steered angle of the normal mechanism, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control while achieving the same reliability goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device serves multiple functions: it normally controls both steering mechanisms during regular operation and automatically switches to compensating for the failed mechanism when an anomaly occurs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated failsafe mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11584429B2Control device, steering device, control method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

A control device of a steering device, for a vehicle, which includes left and right steering mechanisms not mechanically coupled to each other, and which steers left and right steered wheels individually by driving force of steering actuators, includes: a steered angle determining unit that determines a target steered angle for each of the left and right steering mechanisms; and a steering command unit that generates drive signals corresponding to the target steered angles, and outputs the drive signals to each of the actuators. When an anomaly occurs in one of the left and right steering mechanisms, the steered angle determining unit sets the target steered angle for the steering mechanisms that is normal to be different from the target steered angle when both the left and right steering mechanisms are normal.