Steering Reaction Force Control for Straight Driving and Lane Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control devices do not effectively manage the steering reaction force during situations like straight driving and lane changes, where different forms of steering reaction force adjustments are required.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with a reaction force generator and a controller that adjusts the steering reaction force based on the driver's steering operation, increasing the force when a lane change is unlikely and reducing it when a lane change is possible, with a higher increase rate during the lane change process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering reaction force is increased to help the driver maintain the steering wheel operation within the appropriate range during curved road travel, then the driver's steering control is improved, but the device cannot provide appropriate assistance during straight driving or lane changing situations
Solution Approach 1:
The steering reaction force control is made dynamic by detecting the vehicle's travel state (straight, curved, lane changing) and adjusting the reaction force characteristics accordingly. The control device transitions between different control modes (curved road control, straight driving control, lane changing control) based on real-time vehicle state, allowing the system to adapt its assistance characteristics to match the current driving situation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the steering reaction force based on driving situation: during curved road travel, the reaction force increases within an appropriate range to guide the driver; during straight driving, the reaction force is increased to maintain straight travel; during lane changing, the reaction force is reduced to allow larger steering operations. These parameter changes enable the same control device to provide situation-appropriate assistance
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steering reaction force is set to be greater than the standard reaction force when lane change is unlikely, then straight driving stability is improved, but the driver's ability to perform lane changing maneuvers is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the steering reaction force based on the detected driving situation. When straight driving is detected, the reaction force is set greater than standard to provide stability assistance. When lane changing is detected, the system transitions to a different control mode where the reaction force is set smaller than standard, allowing the driver to perform larger steering operations needed for lane changing
Solution Approach 2:
The control device preemptively adjusts the steering reaction force based on predicted driver intent. By detecting patterns indicative of upcoming lane changes (such as gradual steering input), the system reduces the reaction force in advance to prevent it from opposing the driver's intended maneuver, while maintaining high reaction force during confirmed straight driving to prevent drift
3Ease of operation
If the steering reaction force is set to be smaller than the standard reaction force when lane change is possible, then lane changing ease is improved, but the driver's steering control precision during straight driving is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between control modes based on detected driving situation. During lane changing maneuvers, the reaction force is set smaller than standard to facilitate larger steering operations. During straight driving, the system transitions to a mode where reaction force increases with steering operation to provide precision control and prevent drift, thereby maintaining high steering control precision
4Speed
If the increase rate of steering reaction force is set to be higher during the period from predetermined point in time after lane change possibility detection to before maximum steering operation, then the driver's steering response is enhanced, but the overall control stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies different reaction force characteristics during different periods of the lane changing maneuver. During the initial period (from predetermined time after detection to before maximum steering), a higher increase rate is applied to enhance steering response. During other periods (before detection and after maximum steering), a lower increase rate is applied to maintain control stability. This periodic variation in control characteristics optimizes both response speed and stability
Data Source
AI summary
When it is determined that there is no possibility of a driver performing a predetermined steering operation for moving a host vehicle in a lateral direction without involving a change in a final travel direction, a vehicle control device sets a steering reaction force to be greater than a standard reaction force. When it is determined that there is a possibility thereof, the vehicle control device sets the steering reaction force to be smaller than the standard reaction force, and sets an increase rate of the steering reaction force relative to an increase in the amount of steering operation from a predetermined point in time after it is determined that there is a possibility of the driver performing the predetermined steering operation and before the amount of steering operation in the predetermined steering operation becomes largest to be higher than an increase rate before the predetermined point in time.