Steering Motor Vibration Control for Tactile Driver Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driver assistance systems rely on auditory and visual warnings, which can distract drivers and discomfort passengers, and do not effectively address irregular driving behaviors without additional vibration mechanisms on the steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
An assisted steering system with a speed-adjustable steering device and electronic control unit that generates a vibration driving current to combine with the steering driving current, producing a motor control current to vibrate the steering wheel, providing a tactile warning without additional vibration devices on the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alarm tone or warning light is used for driver assistance, then driver can detect irregular driving behavior, but driver may be distracted and passengers become nervous and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic and optical warning systems with a mechanical vibration system. The motor generates vibrational current that causes the steering wheel to vibrate, providing tactile feedback to the driver. This mechanical substitution eliminates the distracting effects of alarm tones and warning lights while maintaining effective driver alertness through tactile sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the steering wheel as an intermediary medium for warning delivery. Instead of directly presenting auditory or visual warnings that affect all occupants, the vibration is transmitted through the steering wheel to the driver's hands, creating a localized tactile warning that does not disturb passengers.
2Reliability
If vibration device is directly mounted on steering wheel, then driver receives tactile warning, but additional device increases system complexity and requires direct mounting on wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the motor in the speed-adjustable steering device perform multiple functions: it provides both speed control for power steering and vibration generation for warnings. By controlling the motor's operating parameters, the system can switch between producing rotational motion for steering assistance and producing vibrational motion for tactile warnings, eliminating the need for a separate vibration device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the vibration generation function with the existing motor in the speed-adjustable steering device. The motor serves dual purposes: power steering assistance and vibration warning generation. This consolidation reduces system complexity by eliminating redundant components and integrating multiple functions into a single actuator.
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
Effectively warns drivers of irregular driving through steering wheel vibrations, enhancing safety without disturbing passengers and eliminating the need for direct vibration devices on the wheel.
Implementation Method 1
When the motor receives the vibration driving current, the windings of the motor are excited by the vibration driving current to generate a vibrational effect
Data Source
AI summary
An assisted steering system with vibrational function for vehicles is applied to a steering system of a vehicle. The steering system has a first steering column and a second steering column, and the assisted steering system includes a speed-adjustable steering device and an electronic control unit. The speed-adjustable steering device is connected between the first steering column and the second steering column and has a motor. The electronic control unit is electrically connected to the motor, generates a vibration driving current when receiving a warning command, combines a steering driving current with the vibration driving current to generate a motor control current, and outputs the motor control current to the motor of the speed-adjustable steering device to excite windings of the motor with the vibration driving current in generation of a vibrational effect.