Steering Column Software End Stops for Gear Wear Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering systems with actuators on the steering column experience wear and tear due to mechanical engagement, leading to difficulty in optical monitoring and reduced availability, necessitating premature replacement.
Innovation Solution
A steering system that shifts the software end stop to a less stressed pair of teeth on the gear or pinion when load thresholds are exceeded, allowing continued operation without replacing the actuator or steering column, with options for adjusting the transmission ratio and neutral position to maintain functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator and steering column with meshing gears are used to generate counter-torque and software end stop, then the steering system can provide haptic feedback and prevent steering into mechanical end stop, but the mechanical components are subject to wear and optical monitoring is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of software end stop position dynamically. When wear is detected in the meshing gears, the control unit shifts the software end stop to a new position, effectively changing the operational parameters to bypass worn components and extend system lifespan without replacing mechanical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The software end stop is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit can adjust and shift the software end stop position based on wear detection, allowing the system to adapt to changing mechanical conditions and maintain reliability throughout the component lifecycle.
2Ease of operation
If the software end stop position is fixed, then the steering system provides consistent haptic feedback, but the heavily loaded pair of teeth on the gear or pinion will eventually wear out requiring actuator replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The software end stop position is made dynamically adjustable. The control unit monitors wear and shifts the software end stop to new positions, allowing the system to maintain consistent haptic feedback quality while extending actuator lifespan by distributing wear across multiple tooth pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary wear detection and proactively shifts the software end stop before catastrophic failure occurs. The control unit monitors the position and wear indicators, and preemptively relocates the software end stop to prevent actuator failure and maintain continuous operation.
3Reliability
If the actuator is replaced as a precaution after a predetermined number of steering maneuvers, then component wear is prevented, but system availability is reduced due to premature replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment through wear detection and automatic software end stop shifting. The control unit monitors component wear and autonomously relocates the software end stop, eliminating the need for premature actuator replacement and maintaining continuous system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through wear detection mechanisms that provide information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the software end stop position, creating a closed-loop system that extends component life without requiring premature replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering system (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering handle (2), a steering column (3), at least one actuator (5) arranged on the steering column (3), at least one rotation angle sensor (4), and a control unit (6), wherein the at least one actuator (5) is configured to generate a counter-torque on the steering column (3) against a hand torque from the steering handle (2) and to generate a software end stop (ϕE, -ϕE), wherein the steering handle (2) has a neutral position in which no steering angle (ϕL) is generated at the vehicle wheels, wherein the steering system (1) is configured such that a load count is performed for at least one software end stop (ϕE, -ϕE) and/or the neutral position, wherein if a threshold value for the load is exceeded, the software end stop (ϕE, -ϕE) and/or the neutral position is shifted, and a method for operating a steering system (1).