Steering Actuator Electronics Water Ingress Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering systems are not robust enough to withstand water ingress, leading to short-circuits and mechanical malfunctions, which can cause the steering assistance to shut off, and existing redundancy measures only protect against electronic defects, not mechanical malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a first electronic system sealed by a protective coating and a second electronic system without protection, allowing the second system to detect water ingress and switch the first system to an emergency mode, enabling continued operation while alerting the driver to the need for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic system is sealed liquid-tight with a protective coating, then protection against water ingress is improved, but the ability to detect water ingress in time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against water ingressVSAvoiddetection time of water ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic system is divided into two separate systems: a first electronic system sealed with a protective coating for reliable operation, and a second electronic system without protective coating for early water detection. This segmentation allows each system to serve its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second electronic system acts as an intermediary detection system that monitors for water ingress before it affects the first electronic system. It serves as an early warning mechanism that triggers switching to emergency mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a redundant second electronic system is provided, then electronic defect coverage is improved, but robustness against mechanical malfunction of seals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic defect coverageVSAvoidmechanical malfunction of seals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the redundant system are given different properties: the first electronic system has the quality of being sealed and protected, while the second electronic system has the quality of being exposed and sensitive to water. This local differentiation in quality allows the system to detect seal failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If the first electronic system is switched to emergency mode upon water detection, then continued operation is enabled, but operating reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinued operation timeVSAvoidoperating reliability in emergency mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for potential water ingress by having a pre-configured emergency mode and switching mechanism ready in advance. When water is detected, the switch to emergency mode is immediate, cushioning the impact of water damage on the first electronic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10960920B2Device for operating a steering system, steering system and method

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING

AI summary

A device for operating a steering system having at least one electrically operable actuator includes at least one carrier substrate on which a first electronics system and a second electronics system, which is at least partially redundant thereto, is arranged for operating the actuator. The at least one carrier substrate is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, at least in regions, by a protective coating. The first electronics system is sealed at least substantially by the protective coating, and the second electronics system is at least partially free of the protective coating.