Steering Control System for Two-Wheeled Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering control systems for two-wheeled vehicles struggle to apply appropriate torque to the steering shaft without detecting operation pressure on the handle, especially when the vehicle is loaded or turning.
Innovation Solution
A steering control system that includes an actuator to apply torque to the steering shaft, a sensor to detect roll angular velocity, and a control device that calculates assistive torque based on the detected roll angular velocity and applies it to the steering shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handle operation pressure detection is used to apply torque to the steering shaft, then the force required to operate the handle can be kept constant, but the system cannot distinguish between brake operation and steering operation, causing torque to be applied incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces roll angular velocity detection as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect steering operation. Instead of directly detecting handle pressure, the system uses the roll angular velocity of the vehicle body (caused by steering) as a mediator to determine when torque should be applied to the steering shaft, thereby distinguishing steering operations from brake operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure detection method with a sensor-based roll angular velocity detection system. By substituting the direct mechanical pressure sensing approach with inertial measurement (roll angular velocity sensing), the system achieves more reliable discrimination between steering and braking operations while maintaining ease of handle operation.
2Ease of operation
If torque is applied to the steering shaft to assist steering, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roll angular velocity sensor serve multiple functions: it detects both steering operations (for torque application) and vehicle dynamics (for stability control). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors and control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved ease of steering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from handle pressure to roll angular velocity, which simplifies the overall system architecture. By measuring a different physical parameter that correlates with steering operation, the system achieves torque assistance with fewer and more versatile sensors, thus improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If assistive torque is applied based on roll angular velocity, then steering assistance is provided during turns, but torque may be incorrectly applied during brake operations when handle pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses roll angular velocity as an intermediary to indirectly detect steering operations. Since brake operations do not generate significant roll angular velocity (unlike steering operations), this intermediary parameter enables the system to provide steering assistance during turns while avoiding incorrect torque application during braking, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of misplaced torque.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting handle pressure directly (which increases during both steering and braking), the patent inverts the approach by detecting the vehicle body's roll angular velocity. This inverted detection method allows the system to distinguish steering operations from braking operations, providing torque assistance only when appropriate and avoiding the harmful effect of incorrect torque application.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device calculates assistive torque that is directed in a direction corresponding to a roll angular velocity detected by a sensor and has a magnitude corresponding to the roll angular velocity, and controls an actuator that applies the torque to a steering shaft based on the assistive torque. This allows appropriate torque to be applied to the steering shaft of a two-wheeled vehicle while avoiding problems specific to a torque sensor.