Steering Load Monitoring for External Impact Stress Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring steering systems do not adequately account for external loads such as road unevenness and potholes, which significantly impact component stress and state, leading to incomplete stress analysis and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method for monitoring steering systems that includes determining and evaluating load characteristics caused by both external and internal forces, using sensors and a computing unit to assess mechanical and electrical stress, and employing algorithms like rainflow and min/max counting methods to predict component life and detect damage mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only internal and system-specific loads are monitored, then the monitoring system remains simple, but the stress analysis is incomplete and operational reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring approaches by integrating sensors for both internal loads (torque, temperature) and external loads (acceleration, inertia measurements) into a unified monitoring system. This merging of monitoring functions enables comprehensive stress analysis that accounts for all significant load types, thereby improving operational reliability while managing system complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse monitoring tasks. The control device evaluates multiple load characteristics (internal loads, external loads, ambient conditions) using a unified evaluation framework that applies different analysis methods (rainflow counting, Wöhler diagrams) appropriate to each load type, making the system universally applicable to various stress conditions.
2Measurement precision
If external loads are included in the load characteristic, then stress analysis becomes more comprehensive, but measurement and evaluation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the load monitoring into distinct components: internal loads (torque, temperature) and external loads (acceleration, inertia). Each segment is measured by dedicated sensors and evaluated using appropriate methods. This segmentation allows precise stress analysis by treating different load types separately while maintaining overall system coherence through the control device's comprehensive evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensor types (torque sensors, temperature sensors, acceleration sensors) and processes them through a unified evaluation framework. This intermediary function simplifies the complexity by centralizing the evaluation logic and applying appropriate analysis methods (rainflow counting for cyclic loads, Wöhler diagrams for fatigue) to each load type.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If comprehensive load monitoring is implemented, then remaining working life prediction improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and evaluation of load characteristics continuously during operation. By accumulating and analyzing load data in advance using rainflow counting and Wöhler diagrams, the system predicts remaining working life before actual failure occurs. This preliminary action enables proactive maintenance planning and extends the effective service life of steering components.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system implements feedback by continuously evaluating load characteristics and comparing them against fatigue limits and historical data. The control device uses this feedback to update remaining working life predictions and can trigger maintenance alerts when thresholds are approached. This closed-loop feedback mechanism improves working life prediction accuracy while managing system complexity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring a steering system, in particular during an operation in a vehicle, in which method a load characteristic of at least one steering component of the steering system is determined and is evaluated in order to determine a stress and/or a state of the steering component. According to the disclosure, the load characteristic comprises at least one load on the steering component caused by an external application of force.