Steering Deadband Detection With Minimal-Motion Starting Drag Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining steering deadband and eliminating starting drag in vehicles are either inaccurate due to their manual nature or cause undue wear on tires when automated, making them unsuitable for regular use, especially in autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a steering control computer connected to steering actuators and sensors to automatically determine steering deadband and eliminate starting drag by carefully controlled movements of the steering actuator, minimizing tire wear and ensuring precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated methods are used to determine steering deadband, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but tire wear increases due to significant wheel movements required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the minimum necessary steering movements to detect deadband and eliminate starting drag. Instead of rotating wheels through large angles, the system uses small incremental movements (e.g., 0.1 to 5 degrees) that are sufficient to detect wheel movement and eliminate brake adhesion without causing excessive tire wear. This resolves the contradiction by achieving the measurement goal with minimized harmful effects.
2Loss of substance
If manual steering deadband testing is performed, then tire wear is minimized, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to driver negligence and inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting steering deadband and eliminating starting drag without requiring driver intervention. The control computer executes the detection algorithm autonomously, using sensors to monitor wheel position and actuator commands to perform minimal movements. This eliminates human error and negligence while maintaining low tire wear, resolving the contradiction between manual operation benefits and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from wheel position sensors and actuator commands to dynamically adjust the detection process. By continuously monitoring whether wheel movement is detected in response to actuator commands, the system can determine deadband boundaries with high precision. This feedback mechanism enables accurate automated detection while controlling movement magnitude to minimize tire wear.
3Reliability
If significant rotation of steered wheels is performed to eliminate starting drag, then starting drag is effectively eliminated, but tire wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using minimal steering movements (significantly less than traditional methods) to eliminate starting drag. The system rotates the steered wheels through small angles (e.g., 0.1 to 5 degrees) that are sufficient to break brake adhesion and eliminate starting drag, without causing excessive tire wear. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable starting drag elimination with minimized harmful effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method provides accurate and automated determination of steering deadband and effective elimination of starting drag, enhancing vehicle performance, reducing tire wear, and improving road safety for both manual and autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor (4) for detecting the movement of at least one steered wheel (5)
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuator (2) of a vehicle, wherein said at least one actuator (2) is mechanically connected via connecting components (3) to at least one steered wheel (5) of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
the movements of the wheels and frictional heating of brake parts result in the brakes finally snapping back to their normal disengaged position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining steering deadband and for eliminating starting drag in a vehicle having at least one steered wheel (5) mechanically connected to an actuator (2), comprising: a) from a first initial position (I1), wherein the actuator (2) is in a middle position (M) and is biased toward a second direction, the actuator is moved toward a first direction, said first direction being opposite to the second direction, until a movement of the steered wheel(5) is detected in a first deadband detection position (DB1) of the actuator (2); b) the actual position of the actuator (2) in the first deadband detection position (DB1) is stored (508) as a first deadband value ΘDB1; c) after reaching the first deadband detection position (DB1), the actuator (2) is moved further (509) in the first direction by a predetermined ΘESD1 first starting drag elimination angle to cause a predetermined movement of the at least one steering wheel (5) and further mechanical parts connected thereto, including at least one brake arranged for braking the at least one steering wheel (5), arriving to a first starting drag elimination position (ESD1). The present invention also relates to a system for performing the method according to the invention.