Vehicle Steering and Suspension Torque Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems fail to effectively enhance ride comfort by synchronizing steering and suspension controls, leading to discomfort for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that integrates a first control section to manage assist or reaction torque for the steering system and a second control section to regulate suspension damping force, with both sections communicating and adjusting their operations based on steering torque and predicted vehicle states to optimize ride comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If steering and suspension controls are operated independently, then each system can be controlled separately, but ride comfort is not effectively enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steering control system and suspension control system into an integrated control framework. The steering ECU and suspension ECU communicate with each other, allowing the steering control to reference suspension state information and the suspension control to reference steering torque information. This combination enables coordinated control that enhances ride comfort while maintaining operational effectiveness.
2Speed
If steering control adjusts assist torque based on steering torque, then steering response is improved, but ride comfort remains insufficient without suspension coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the steering control ECU references suspension state information (such as damping force settings) when determining assist torque, and the suspension control ECU references steering torque when adjusting damping force. This mutual feedback ensures that steering response improvements do not compromise ride comfort, as both systems adapt based on real-time state information from the other system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If suspension damping force is controlled based on steering torque, then vehicle stability is improved, but steering comfort deteriorates without coordinated control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the suspension control system proactively adjust damping force based on detected steering torque before steering discomfort can occur. Similarly, the steering control system proactively adjusts assist torque based on suspension state information. This preliminary coordination prevents the deterioration of steering comfort while maintaining vehicle stability during steering maneuvers.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention provides higher ride comfort to a driver in control of steering and suspension. An ECU (600) includes: a steering control section (610) which controls a magnitude of an assist torque or a reaction torque; and a suspension control section (650) which controls a damping force of a suspension. The steering control section (610) refers to a state of a vehicle which state is predicted by the suspension control section (650), and the suspension control section (650) refers to a steering torque.