Electric Steering Load Detection Without a Separate Height Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric steering devices face challenges in physical implementation and increased cost due to the installation of a separate vehicle height sensor for load detection, which is not integrated within the steering device.
Innovation Solution
An electric steering device that utilizes a handwheel sensor, electric steering motor, and steering controller to detect vehicle load based on vehicle speed, handwheel torque, and motor current, eliminating the need for a separate sensor by integrating these components to control motor current through a driving signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate vehicle height sensor is installed for load detection, then steering performance and motor overheating protection are ensured, but the difficulty of physical implementation increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the load detection function into the existing steering device by utilizing the handwheel sensor and motor current detection capabilities that are already integrated in the steering system. This eliminates the need for a separate vehicle height sensor while maintaining the reliability of steering performance and motor protection through combined signal processing of handwheel torque and motor current data.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing handwheel sensor and motor control system are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both steering control and load detection functions. The handwheel sensor originally designed for steering angle detection is also utilized for load detection by analyzing torque signals in conjunction with motor current, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated separate sensing components.
2Reliability
If a separate vehicle height sensor is installed for load detection, then steering performance and motor overheating protection are ensured, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into existing components, specifically using the handwheel sensor and motor current detection systems to perform both steering control and load detection. This merging approach eliminates the need for additional expensive sensors while maintaining the reliability of steering performance and motor protection through integrated signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device utilizes its own existing sensors and control systems to perform load detection without requiring external dedicated components. The handwheel sensor and motor control unit serve dual purposes, making the system self-sufficient for load detection functionality and eliminating additional manufacturing costs associated with separate sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric steering device having a vehicle load detection function, which detects a vehicle load using a vehicle speed and a handwheel torque detected from a handwheel sensor included in an electric steering device and a motor current detected from an electric steering motor, and outputs a driving signal for controlling the motor current applied to the electric steering motor. Since the present invention does not use a separate vehicle load detection sensor device, it is possible to solve both a problem of having to secure a physically separate external space to install a conventional vehicle load detection sensor device when a vehicle steering device is implemented and a problem of causing a direct increase in the cost of the steering device due to the installation of the sensor device.