Steering Control Device Axial Force Allocation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing steering control devices for Steer By Wire systems face challenges in applying an appropriate steering reaction force, particularly when the accuracy of the control amount based on the steering angle degrades, leading to inappropriate steering reaction forces.

Innovation Solution

A steering control device that allocates feedforward and feedback axial forces at specific ratios based on the axial force difference, vehicle velocity, steering angle, and steering angular velocity to blend these forces appropriately, ensuring a more accurate application of the steering reaction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reaction force motor is driven based on the control amount of the steering reaction force calculated from the steering angle and the control amount calculated by multiplying the electric current of the steering motor by a setting gain, then the steering reaction force reflects external forces on steered wheels, but the steering reaction force becomes inappropriate when the accuracy of the control amount based on steering angle degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering reaction force accuracyVSAvoidcontrol amount accuracy based on steering angle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters used for calculating steering reaction force from relying on steering angle to using steering wheel operating angular velocity and axial force. By detecting the operating angular velocity of the steering wheel and calculating axial force based on this velocity and detected axial force, the system maintains accurate steering reaction force control even when steering angle measurement accuracy degrades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed allocation ratio is used for blending feedforward and feedback axial forces, then the control system is simple, but the steering reaction force cannot be optimized for different driving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering reaction force adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the allocation ratio dynamic by determining it based on the absolute value of the axial force difference between feedforward and feedback axial forces. When the axial force difference is large, a first allocation ratio is used; when the difference is small, a second allocation ratio is used. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different driving conditions without requiring complex multi-parameter control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2944545B1Steering control device
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2944545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2944545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2944545B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control computing unit (11) blends a feedforward axial force (TFF) and a feedback axial force (TFB) at an allocation ratio (GF1, GF2, GF3, and GF4), based on an axial force difference, a lateral acceleration (Gy), a vehicle velocity (V), a steering angle (δ), and a steering angular velocity (dδ/dt) so as to set a final axial force. Then, the control computing unit (11) applies a steering reaction force based on the final axial force that has been set.