Steering Feel Brake Arm Mechanism for Power-Off Wheel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire (SBW) systems lack effective means to provide steering feel feedback to drivers, leading to safety concerns due to potential vehicle instability and increased costs from redundant systems and additional devices to prevent steering wheel rotation during power-off.
Innovation Solution
A steering feel assisting apparatus with a disk, cam, and brake arm that selectively friction-contacts to provide a predetermined frictional force, controlled by a controller to restrict or allow steering wheel rotation based on steering angle and torque, ensuring safe and stable operation without additional electric voltage during start-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fail operation system is added by adding redundancy to a steering feel motor (dual winding motor), then steering feel reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fail operation function from the steering feel motor itself and relocates it to the brake arm mechanism. By removing the need for redundant motor windings and implementing the safety function through a separate mechanical braking system, the invention achieves reliability without the high manufacturing costs of dual winding motors
Solution Approach 2:
The brake arm serves as an intermediary mechanism that provides fail operation capability. Instead of making the steering feel motor itself redundant, the brake arm acts as a mediator that can independently apply braking force to the disk, ensuring steering feel reliability through a separate, simpler mechanical system
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stopper device is added to prevent rotation of steering wheel during power-off, then steering wheel stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power-off prevention function with the existing brake arm mechanism. The brake arm serves dual purposes: providing fail operation braking during normal operation and preventing steering wheel rotation during power-off. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate stopper devices and reduces overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The brake arm is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both fail operation braking and power-off prevention. By making the brake arm universal, the invention eliminates the need for additional dedicated stopper devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining steering wheel stability during power-off
3Stability of the object's composition
If a stopper device is added to prevent rotation of steering wheel during power-off, then steering wheel stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power-off prevention function with the existing brake arm mechanism. The brake arm serves dual purposes: providing fail operation braking during normal operation and preventing steering wheel rotation during power-off. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate stopper devices and reduces overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The brake arm is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both fail operation braking and power-off prevention. By making the brake arm universal, the invention eliminates the need for additional dedicated stopper devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining steering wheel stability during power-off
4Loss of energy
If mechanical connection structure is removed in SBW system, then fuel efficiency is improved and layout freedom is improved, but steering feel feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a brake arm as an intermediary mechanical element that provides steering feel feedback without requiring a complete mechanical connection between steering wheel and driving wheels. The brake arm, through friction contact with the disk, generates tactile feedback for the driver while maintaining the electronic decoupling benefits of the SBW system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical connection system with an electronic control system supplemented by a simplified mechanical feedback mechanism. Instead of a direct mechanical linkage, the system uses electronic sensors and actuators combined with a brake arm friction mechanism to provide steering feel, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining feedback capability
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
Provides additional steering feel and prevents reverse lock phenomenon by selectively applying frictional force, enhancing driver safety and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional configurations or electric voltage during start-off.
Implementation Method 1
a brake arm configured to selectively friction-contact with an external peripheral surface of the disk to provide a predetermined frictional force in a forward rotation direction of the disk
Data Source
AI summary
A steering feel assisting apparatus of a steer-by-wire (SBW) system, may include a disk configured to rotate together with a steering shaft; a cam engaged to an actuator and configured to receive a rotational force of the actuator to be eccentrically rotated; and a brake arm configured to selectively friction-contact with an external peripheral surface of the disk to provide a predetermined frictional force in a forward rotation direction of the disk as the brake arm rotates in conjunction with rotation of the cam.