Steering Wheel Rotation Curbing with Dual Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering systems face challenges in efficiently managing power supply during ignition switch off states, leading to potential power consumption issues and angle differences between steering wheels and turning wheels.

Innovation Solution

A steering system with a dual power supply configuration, where a secondary power supply supports the rotation curbing unit during power-off periods, ensuring electric power is secured for the steering actuator when the ignition is turned on next, and utilizing an electronic control unit to determine the driver's state for optimized power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the steering lock device operates after the ignition switch is turned off to curb steering wheel rotation, then the angle difference between steering wheel and turning wheels is reduced, but the electric power consumption of the first power supply increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle difference between steering wheel and turning wheelsVSAvoidelectric power consumption of first power supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent power supplies: the first power supply for normal vehicle operation and the second power supply specifically for the rotation curbing unit during power-off periods. This segmentation allows the rotation curbing function to operate independently without consuming power from the first power supply, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining steering stability and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second power supply acts as an intermediary energy source that bridges the gap between the need for steering wheel stabilization during power-off periods and the need to conserve power in the first power supply. By introducing this intermediate power source, the system can maintain steering stability without depleting the first power supply's energy reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the first power supply continuously supplies power to the rotation curbing unit during power-off periods, then the steering wheel rotation is effectively curbed, but the available power for the steering actuator when ignition is turned on is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering wheel rotation control during power-offVSAvoidavailable power for steering actuator
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply responsibilities are segmented between two independent power sources. The second power supply is dedicated solely to providing power to the rotation curbing unit during power-off periods, while the first power supply preserves its energy for critical functions when the ignition is turned on. This segmentation ensures both reliable steering wheel control during power-off and sufficient power availability for the steering actuator during power-on.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second power supply serves the rotation curbing unit independently during power-off periods without requiring power from the first power supply. This self-service arrangement allows the rotation curbing function to operate autonomously during power-off periods, ensuring reliable steering wheel control while preserving the first power supply's capacity for when it is needed most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4163185B1Steering system
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 JTEKT CORP
  • EP4163185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4163185B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4163185B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A steering system is configured such that electric power is supplied to a steering actuator (12) and a turning actuator (31) from a first power supply when a power state of a vehicle is an on state and supply of the electric power from the first power supply is cut off when the power state is an off state. The steering system includes a rotation curbing unit configured to operate such that rotation of the steering wheel (3) is curbed in at least a part of a first power-off period from when the power state becomes an off state until when the power state becomes the on state next, as an operating period, and a second power supply configured to supply, to the rotation curbing unit, the electric power required for operation of the rotation curbing unit in the operating period, the second power supply being different from the first power supply.