Commercial Vehicle Steering Control for Low-Speed Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic steering units in commercial vehicles consume unnecessary energy and wear out quickly due to constant operation in response to noise and interference, leading to potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A method and control unit that transfers the regulator unit to an inactive mode when the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speed and activates it only when a steering requirement is detected or the vehicle exceeds a predefined threshold, using a PID controller with delayed or weighted output signals to smooth actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the regulator unit operates constantly to compensate for sensor signal fluctuations, then steering precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases and component wear accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator unit dynamically switches between active and inactive operating modes based on real-time assessment of steering requirements and vehicle velocity. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain steering precision when needed while conserving energy during stationary or low-speed conditions without steering input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of the regulator unit based on multiple input parameters including sensor signal quality, vehicle velocity, and detected steering requirements. By monitoring these parameters and adjusting the regulator's operational mode accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between steering precision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the regulator unit operates constantly to compensate for sensor signal fluctuations, then steering precision is maintained, but component wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering precisionVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator unit dynamically switches between active and inactive operating modes based on real-time assessment of steering requirements and vehicle velocity. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain steering precision when needed while reducing component wear during stationary or low-speed conditions without steering input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the hydraulic pump operates constantly to convey hydraulic oil, then steering responsiveness is maintained, but hydraulic oil temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering responsivenessVSAvoidhydraulic oil temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic pump dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time assessment of steering requirements and vehicle velocity. The pump operates actively when steering input is detected or vehicle velocity exceeds the threshold, and remains inactive during stationary or low-speed conditions without steering input, thereby maintaining steering responsiveness when needed while preventing excessive hydraulic oil temperature increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If the regulator unit is activated immediately in response to sensor signals, then steering responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary activation occurs due to noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering responsivenessVSAvoidfalse activation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary assessment of sensor signals by evaluating multiple parameters including signal magnitude, vehicle velocity, and steering requirement detection before activating the regulator unit. This preliminary action filters out noise-induced false activations while maintaining rapid response to genuine steering requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor signals, vehicle velocity, and regulator unit operation status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust activation decisions. The feedback mechanism distinguishes between genuine steering requirements and noise by analyzing patterns across multiple parameters, thereby reducing false activations while maintaining steering responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12559170B2Method and control unit for operating a steering unit for a commercial vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

AI summary

A method for operating a steering unit for a commercial vehicle includes a step of transfer or operation of a regulator unit of the steering unit of the commercial vehicle in an inactive operating mode if it is recognized that a driver is not giving a steering requirement and if a vehicle velocity of the commercial vehicle is lower than a predefined threshold value. The method further includes a step of activation of the regulator unit of the steering unit in an active operating mode if it is recognized that the driver is giving a steering requirement or if a vehicle velocity of the commercial vehicle exceeds the predefined threshold value.