Compact Steering and Lean Control for Stable Small Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small mobility vehicles face challenges with driving stability due to their lightweight bodies and high center of gravity, requiring a compact steering system that enhances the driver's sense of steering while providing dynamic driving capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact steering system comprising a steering input device with a steering shaft and angle sensor, a steering actuator with a motor connected via a reducer, a lean actuator with a motor connected via a reducer, and an electric controller that receives steering angle information to control the motors, enhancing steering feedback and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering system is made compact to suit small mobility vehicles, then the vehicle size and weight are reduced, but the driver's sense of steering may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is divided into separate functional modules: a steering actuator for wheel steering control and a lean actuator for body tilting control. Each actuator has its own motor and reducer, allowing independent optimization of each component's size and performance characteristics to maintain steering feedback while keeping the overall system compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by implementing a lean function that tilts the vehicle body in the vertical plane during turning. This additional degree of freedom compensates for the reduced steering feedback from the compact steering mechanism, providing drivers with enhanced dynamic driving sensation and stability control.
2Weight of moving object
If the vehicle is designed with lightweight body and high center of gravity for urban mobility, then the vehicle agility and ease of maneuvering are improved, but the driving stability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic stability control through the lean function, which actively tilts the vehicle body in response to steering input and road conditions. The lean actuator adjusts the center of gravity position dynamically during operation, compensating for the high center of gravity design and providing enhanced driving stability without requiring increased vehicle weight.
3Volume of moving object
If the steering system components are integrated closely to achieve compact structure, then the vehicle space utilization is improved, but the complexity of control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric controller is designed as a universal control unit that manages both the steering actuator and lean actuator through integrated control algorithms. This multi-functional controller receives steering angle information and coordinates both motors, reducing the need for separate control systems and simplifying the overall control architecture despite the dual-actuator configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
According to the present embodiments, there may be provided a steering system comprising a steering input device including a steering shaft and a steering angle sensor sensing a rotational angle of the steering shaft, a steering actuator including a first output shaft connected with a knuckle arm and a steering motor connected with the first output shaft by a first reducer, a lean actuator including a second output shaft coupled with a lean bar and a lean motor connected with the second output shaft by a second reducer, and an electric controller receiving steering angle information from the steering angle sensor to control the steering motor and the lean motor.