Redundant Steering Control with Dual Power Path Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering systems for vehicles lack redundancy and reliability, particularly in scenarios where a steering controller malfunctions, leading to potential loss of steering performance and increased risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A dual-steering controller system with redundant components, including power supplies, torque sensors, and angle sensors, connected through internal and external communication networks, allowing for seamless control transfer between primary and secondary controllers in case of abnormal operation, ensuring continuous vehicle stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single steering controller is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and redundancy of the steering system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control function is segmented into two independent controllers: a first steering controller and a second steering controller. Each controller can independently control the steering motor, providing redundancy and failover capability. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability even if one controller fails, while keeping each individual controller relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the controllers based on their health status. When the first steering controller is normal, it operates with full power from the first output power source. When it becomes abnormal, the system transitions to using the second steering controller with power from the second output power source. This parameter change approach maintains system reliability without requiring permanent complex configurations.
2Reliability
If redundant power supply sources are implemented, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of multiple power supply paths and controllers before any failure occurs. The first output power source is pre-configured to supply the first steering controller, and the second output power source is pre-configured to supply the second steering controller. This preliminary setup ensures that when a failure occurs, the system can immediately switch to the redundant configuration without complex real-time decision-making, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity.
3Reliability
If a single power supply path is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the redundancy and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: a first power supply path from the first output power source to the first steering controller, and a second power supply path from the second output power source to the second steering controller. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one power supply path does not affect the other, providing redundancy while keeping each individual path relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple power supply paths. It monitors the operation states of both controllers and automatically selects the appropriate power supply path based on system health, thereby providing redundancy without exposing the external system to the complexity of dual power paths.
4Reliability
If real-time monitoring of controller operation states is implemented, then the reliability improves through faster fault detection, but the device complexity and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback monitoring where each steering controller continuously reports its operation state to the power supply and the other controller. This feedback mechanism enables real-time fault detection and automatic failover, improving reliability. The monitoring is designed to be energy-efficient by only activating full monitoring when needed and using simple state checks during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. A steering apparatus for a vehicle includes: a first steering controller and a second steering controller that control a steering motor; and a power supply that forms a first output power source and a second output power source based on at least one of a first input power source or a second input power source through control of a power supply path, wherein, in a case in which operation states of the first steering controller and the second steering controller are normal, the power supply forms a first output power source using the first input power source through control of the power supply path, and the first steering controller controls the steering motor based on the first output power source.