Steering Actuator Jerk Monitoring for Detachment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting belt jumps and force-closure detachments in steering systems, particularly in autonomously driven vehicles or steer-by-wire systems, are influenced by system stiffness and prone to falsification, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
Monitoring the steering system by determining and evaluating a jerk signal from the operating signal of the steering actuator, using signal peaks or threshold exceedance to detect force-closure and torque detachments, and employing a computing unit to analyze these signals for robust detection and evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual torque and manual angle are used to detect belt jump in conventional steering systems, then detection can be achieved, but the detection is falsified by system stiffness and cannot be applied to autonomously driven vehicles or steer-by-wire systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from manual torque/angle (which are affected by system stiffness and unavailable in autonomous systems) to actuator operating signals (current, voltage, position, speed, acceleration). This parameter substitution enables universal application across conventional, autonomous, and steer-by-wire systems while maintaining reliable detection of force-closure detachments and belt jumps.
2Reliability
If force-closure detachment detection is implemented in steering systems, then operational reliability can be improved, but the complexity of signal processing and evaluation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with electronic signal processing of actuator operating signals. By using standard sensors already present in the actuator (current, position, speed sensors) and processing their signals through a control unit, the system achieves reliable force-closure detachment detection without adding mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing actuator and its control unit serve multiple functions: not only controlling the steering actuator but also detecting force-closure detachments and belt jumps by evaluating the same operating signals (current, position, speed) already being measured for control purposes. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection hardware.
3Productivity
If detection sensitivity is increased to detect all force-closure detachments, then detection efficiency improves, but false detections increase due to system stiffness and normal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based detection by continuously monitoring actuator operating signals and comparing them against expected values or thresholds. The control unit evaluates changes in operating signals (current, position, speed, acceleration) that indicate force-closure detachments, enabling sensitive detection while filtering out normal variations through adaptive thresholding and pattern recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple operating signals (current, position, speed, acceleration) simultaneously for detection, rather than relying on a single parameter. This multi-parameter approach provides redundant information that improves detection sensitivity while allowing cross-validation to reduce false detections caused by normal system variations or stiffness effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for monitoring a steering system during operation in a vehicle. The steering system includes at least one steering actuator. In order to determine a force-closure detachment and/or torque detachment in the steering system, at least one operating signal of the at least one steering actuator is determined and evaluated, and a jerk signal is determined from the at least one operating signal and is monitored for changes.