Vehicle Steering Ramp Rate Control for Jerk Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle steering systems lack optimal control over steering responsiveness and operator comfort, particularly in construction and agricultural vehicles, as they often result in jerking or jarring motions due to inadequate adjustment of steering ramp rates based on vehicle speed.

Innovation Solution

A steering system that incorporates a controller to determine a steering ramp rate based on vehicle speed, adjusting the rate at which steering inputs are achieved, using a lookup table or algorithm to generate a steering control signal that optimizes the articulation of steerable components, thereby enhancing responsiveness and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the steering ramp rate is increased to improve steering responsiveness, then steering responsiveness is improved, but jerking and jarring motions occur reducing operator comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering responsivenessVSAvoidjerking and jarring motions

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steering ramp rate is made dynamic by adjusting it based on vehicle speed. The controller receives vehicle speed information and selectively applies different ramp rates - higher ramp rates at higher speeds for responsiveness, and lower ramp rates at lower speeds to prevent jerking and jarring motions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the steering ramp rate parameter based on operating conditions (vehicle speed). By monitoring vehicle speed and adjusting the ramp rate parameter accordingly, the system optimizes steering responsiveness while minimizing harmful jerking and jarring motions at different speed ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the steering ramp rate is decreased to reduce jerking and jarring motions, then operator comfort is improved, but steering responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator comfortVSAvoidsteering responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The steering ramp rate is made dynamic by adjusting it based on vehicle speed. The controller receives vehicle speed information and selectively applies different ramp rates - higher ramp rates at higher speeds for responsiveness, and lower ramp rates at lower speeds to prevent jerking and jarring motions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the steering ramp rate parameter based on operating conditions (vehicle speed). By monitoring vehicle speed and adjusting the ramp rate parameter accordingly, the system optimizes steering responsiveness while minimizing harmful jerking and jarring motions at different speed ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed steering ramp rate is used, then system complexity is reduced, but optimal control over steering responsiveness and operator comfort cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering control systemVSAvoidsteering control adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system incorporates feedback by monitoring vehicle speed and using this information to adjust the steering ramp rate. The controller receives speed feedback and selectively applies appropriate ramp rates, enabling the system to adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining reasonable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11639193B2Systems and methods for vehicle travel speed dependent steering ramp rates

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 DEERE & CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for steering a vehicle that adjust how quickly a selected steering input is achieved based on a speed at which the vehicle is traveling are disclosed. The systems and methods include receiving a steering input, detecting a vehicle speed, and selecting a steering ramp rate that defines how quickly a steering amount corresponding to the steering input is achieved by one or more steerable components of the vehicle. In some implementations, the steering ramp rate may be affected as a result of whether the steering input is greater than or less than a previous steering input.