Power Steering Kickback Mitigation via Motor Acceleration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles experience sudden and unexpected jerks at the steering input due to obstacles causing movement in the ground engaging members, leading to kickback, which existing steering systems fail to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A power steering system with a motor control circuit that adjusts motor characteristics, such as current or angular velocity, to reduce unintended torque transmission to the operator steering input device, using sensors to monitor acceleration and angular velocity to counteract potential kickback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional steering systems are used, then the structure is simple, but kickback from ground engaging members is transmitted directly to the steering input
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the ground engaging members and the steering input device. The sensor detects acceleration signals from the ground engaging members and transmits this information to the motor control circuit, which then adjusts motor output to counteract detected kickback. This intermediary sensing and control mechanism blocks the direct transmission path of harmful kickback forces while maintaining the overall simplicity of the steering system structure.
2Ease of operation
If the motor continuously compensates for steering forces, then steering smoothness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates periodically rather than continuously by activating only when the sensor detects acceleration signals exceeding a predetermined threshold. The motor control circuit processes acceleration signals in real-time and commands motor activation only during kickback events, allowing the motor to remain idle during normal steering operations. This periodic activation maintains steering smoothness during needed moments while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Speed
If the motor responds immediately to all steering inputs, then response time is reduced, but false activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of acceleration signals before triggering motor activation. The motor control circuit compares detected acceleration signals against a predetermined threshold value and only activates the motor when the signal exceeds this threshold, indicating genuine kickback. This preliminary filtering action prevents false activation from normal steering variations while maintaining rapid response to actual kickback events, achieving both fast response time and high reliability.
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 system effectively reduces the transmission of unintended torque to the steering input, minimizing jerking and improving the steering experience by detecting and counteracting kickback earlier and more accurately than traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a power steering assembly including a motor, a gearset operatively coupled to the motor, and a motor control circuit operatively coupled to the motor; the motor control circuit adjusting a characteristic of the motor to reduce a transmission to the operator steering input device of an unintended torque steering input
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor to provide an indication of an acceleration of the motor of the power steering assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A power steering system reduces or prevents an unintended jerking of a steering input device due to an unintended torque being input into the power steering system from an output of the power steering system. The unintended torque may be determined based on an acceleration of a motor of the power steering system.