Steering Module Redundant Actuator Restoring Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-wire systems lack reliability, leading to safety concerns due to the absence of a restoring force or road feel for the driver, which can result in unsafe and undefined vehicle behavior.
Innovation Solution
A redundantly designed steering module with a servomechanism comprising two actuators and a sensor device with multiple sensors ensures the generation of a restoring force or torque at the steering input element, providing a realistic road feel and enhanced safety through fail-safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single actuator is used in the servomechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because no restoring force is generated in the event of actuator failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies redundancy design by providing a second actuator as a backup for the first actuator. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the first actuator fails, the second actuator can take over and continue to generate the restoring force, thus maintaining system reliability without requiring complex fail-safe mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameter of the servomechanism from a single actuator to two actuators. This parameter change increases the system's fault tolerance and ensures continuous operation, directly addressing the reliability concern while managing complexity through a straightforward redundant architecture.
2Ease of operation
If steer-by-wire system is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved by eliminating mechanical connection, but the reliability deteriorates due to loss of road feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the position of the steering input element and the servomechanism generates a restoring force based on this information. This feedback loop recreates the road feel that would normally be provided by mechanical connection, allowing steer-by-wire operation to maintain both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection between steering wheel and steering gear with an electro-mechanical system consisting of sensors, control units, and actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for a rigid steering column while maintaining functional equivalence through electronic control and artificial road feel generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering module for a vehicle has a steering input element and a sensor device, which includes at least one sensor, for registering the position of the steering input element, and has a servomechanism which includes a first actuator and acts on the steering input element. The servomechanism is redundantly designed and comprises a second actuator.