Steering Reaction Force Decoupling for Lane Deviation Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-lane drive assist devices fail to maintain consistent vehicle behavior due to variations in steering retention force from drivers, leading to unintended vehicle behavior when attempting to correct lane deviations.

Innovation Solution

The system controls the turning amount of a mechanically detached turning unit based on the steering amount when no lane deviation is present and generates a yaw moment to return the vehicle into the lane, while controlling the steering reaction force without reflecting the drive assist turning amount, thereby isolating it from the steering retention force when a deviation occurs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the assisting force is increased to return the vehicle into the lane, then the lane deviation correction is improved, but the turning angle fluctuates due to steering retention force resulting in unintended vehicle behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane deviation correction reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle behavior stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the steering system into a steering unit (steering wheel) and a turning unit (front wheels), mechanically detaching them. This allows independent control of the turning unit based on lane deviation detection, while the steering unit responds only to driver input, eliminating the interference of steering retention force on automated correction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that receives lane deviation information from a lane recognition system and independently determines turning commands for the turning unit. This intermediary decouples the automated lane correction function from the driver's steering retention force, ensuring reliable and stable vehicle behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the turning unit is mechanically detached from the steering unit, then the turning angle control accuracy is improved, but the steering reaction force does not reflect the drive assist turning amount causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturning angle control precisionVSAvoiddriver discomfort from unnatural steering reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that generates two separate control signals: one for the turning unit (based on lane deviation) and one for the steering reaction force (based on drive assist turning amount). This allows the system to maintain both high turning precision and natural steering feedback for driver comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different control qualities to different parts of the steering system: the turning unit receives precise, automated control signals for accurate lane keeping, while the steering unit receives reaction forces that simulate natural steering characteristics, providing locally optimized performance for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach ensures the intended vehicle behavior is achieved regardless of the driver's steering retention force, reducing driver discomfort and maintaining stable vehicle alignment by decoupling the steering reaction force from the drive assist turning amount during lane correction.

Implementation Method 1

a reaction force motor 8 that generates a steering reaction force torque to apply steering reaction force to the steering wheel 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a turning motor 13 that generates a turning torque to turn the front wheels 5L, 5R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a backup clutch 3 that mechanically connects the steering unit 1 and the turning unit 2 when a failure occurs in the SBW system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2944547B1In-lane drive assist device
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2944547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2944547B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2944547B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Upon controlling the turning angle of the front wheels 5L, 5R which are mechanically detached from the steering wheel 6, the turning angle of the front wheels 5L, 5R is controlled based on the SBW command turning angle corresponding to the steering angle of the steering wheel 6 when a lane deviation is determined to be absent, and the turning angle is controlled based on an LDP command turning angle for generating a yaw moment in a direction to return the vehicle into the lane while controlling the steering reaction force based on the steering angle without reflecting the LDP command turning angle on the steering reaction force that is applied to the steering wheel 6, when a lane deviation is determined to be present.