Steering Control Apparatus Play Compensation Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering control systems face issues with excessively large changes in the correction amount of the target steering angle when the steering direction is changed, leading to reduced stability and responsiveness due to the play compensation amount being changed stepwise.

Innovation Solution

A steering control apparatus that includes a processing unit to gradually change the play compensation amount based on the changing speed of the target steering angle, ensuring a positive correlation between the changing speed of the play compensation amount and the target steering angle, thereby enhancing responsiveness and controlling the turning angle effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the play compensation amount is changed stepwise according to steering direction, then the responsiveness of turning angle to steering is enhanced, but the correction amount of target steering angle changes excessively large magnitude causing reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness of turning angleVSAvoidstability of target steering angle
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the play compensation amount changeable over time rather than fixed. The magnitude of change is dynamically adjusted based on the current play compensation amount and steering direction, allowing the system to transition smoothly from one compensation level to another, thus resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of play compensation amount gradually rather than abruptly. By controlling the magnitude of change based on current values and steering direction, the system achieves parameter transitions that maintain stability while still improving responsiveness, directly addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the play compensation amount is changed rapidly to follow target steering angle changes, then the responsiveness is improved, but the correction amount changes too much causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapidness of turning angle changeVSAvoidstability of steering control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the play compensation amount based on current steering conditions rather than using fixed stepwise changes. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond rapidly to steering inputs while controlling the magnitude of correction changes, thereby maintaining reliability during rapid steering maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements controlled parameter changes by adjusting the play compensation amount based on its current value and the steering direction. This ensures that parameter transitions occur at appropriate rates, achieving rapid responsiveness while preventing excessive correction magnitude that would compromise control stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the play compensation amount is increased to correct for play in the steering system, then the accuracy of turning angle control is improved, but the sudden change in correction amount reduces overall system stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of turning angleVSAvoidstability of steering system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the play compensation amount adjustable based on actual steering conditions rather than fixed. The magnitude of change is controlled according to the current compensation amount and steering direction, allowing the system to achieve accurate turning angle control while maintaining stability through gradual adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements controlled parameter changes by adjusting the play compensation amount based on its current value and steering direction. This approach achieves accurate turning angle control by applying appropriate compensation while preventing sudden large changes that would destabilize the steering system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4375164A1Steering control apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 JTEKT CORP
  • EP4375164A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375164A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4375164A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing unit (62) corrects a target angle by a right play compensation amount when a steering direction which is a changing direction of the target angle set by a higher-level ECU changes to a right steering direction. Then, the processing unit (62) performs control with a steering angle being as a control amount and with the corrected target angle being as a target value of the control amount. In the case of change to the right steering direction from a left steering direction, the processing unit (62) gradually increases the amount of correction of the target angle to the right play compensation amount.