Steering Hand Wheel Position Detection Using Dual Gear Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand wheel position detection systems lack the necessary precision, particularly with a five-degree diagnostic limit, which is insufficient for certain safety features and algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A steering system that includes an input shaft connected to a hand wheel, a main gear, a puck gear meshingly engaged with the main gear, and a control module that calculates the hand wheel position using the angular positions of both gears, with a diagnostic module to determine errors and adjust for alignment and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single gear detection system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of hand wheel position is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function into two separate gear detection channels: main gear position detection and puck gear position detection. Each gear is detected independently by its own sensor, and the control module processes both signals separately before combining them to calculate the final hand wheel position. This segmentation allows higher precision measurement while keeping each detection channel relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck gear acts as an intermediary element between the main gear and the detection system. By detecting the position of both the main gear and the puck gear (which are mechanically linked but rotate at different speeds), the system creates multiple measurement references that can be combined to achieve higher precision hand wheel position detection than a single gear could provide.
2Measurement precision
If dual gear detection is implemented, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the main gear and puck gear serve dual purposes: they are part of the steering mechanism's power transmission system and simultaneously function as position detection references. The same mechanical components that transmit steering force also provide the positional information needed for precise hand wheel detection, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system's existing mechanical components (main gear and puck gear) automatically provide the detection function without requiring additional dedicated detection mechanisms. The normal operational movements of these gears during steering already generate the positional data needed, making the detection system self-servicing through the existing mechanical architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering system for detecting a hand wheel position is provided and includes an input shaft connected to a hand wheel, a main gear disposed around the input shaft, a puck gear meshingly engaged with the main gear, and a control module. The control module receives an angular main position of the main gear and an angular puck position of the puck gear. The control module includes a rotational calculation module for calculating the hand wheel position based on at least the angular main position and the angular puck position.