Steering System Impedance Control for Pinch Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face interference and pinch events during the stowing or retracting of steering wheels and columns, which can cause injury and impair functionality, as existing methods fail to effectively prevent overload and pinch conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing impedance control through sensors and actuators in the steering system, using elastic materials at pinch points to expand contact areas and generate control signals to manage the movement of steering wheel and column assemblies, ensuring a soft contact and preventing pinching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering wheel column is moved to a stowed position to provide more space in the vehicle cabin, then the space utilization is improved, but pinch events and interference with the retracting operation occur causing injury risk and functionality impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of external forces on the steering column and steering wheel before completing the stowing operation. Sensors monitor force characteristics during the retracting process, and the control system anticipates potential pinch events by detecting abnormal force patterns, allowing the system to pause or reverse the stowing action before injury occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors force characteristics on the steering column and steering wheel during stowing operations using sensors. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to detect external forces applied by occupants and adjust the stowing speed or pause the operation to prevent pinch events, while still completing the space-saving stowing function
2Reliability
If sensors and actuators are added to implement impedance control, then pinch event prevention capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single steering control unit: it manages normal steering operations, monitors force characteristics during stowing, detects pinch events, and controls actuator movements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining comprehensive pinch prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the impedance parameters of the steering system dynamically during stowing operations. By adjusting the relationship between force and displacement through controlled actuator movement, the system creates a softer interaction during stowing to prevent pinching, while maintaining normal steering characteristics during regular operation
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
The impedance control system effectively prevents pinch events by managing the movement of steering components, reducing the risk of injury and maintaining system functionality during stowing and retracting operations.
Implementation Method 1
use of an elastic material at potential pinch points expands the contact area and reduces the possibility of injury to the operator
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a moveable steering wheel assembly, a first actuator and a second actuator, the first and second actuators configured to move vehicle steering system from a first position to a second position, providing a plurality of sensors, the sensors configured to measure a force characteristic, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensors and the vehicle steering system, monitoring first sensor data received from the first sensor and second sensor data received from the second sensor, generating a reference model based on a desired output displacement and the first and second sensor data, calculating, a revised output displacement based on the reference model, and automatically generating a first control signal to control the first actuator and a second control signal to control the second actuator.