Steering System Automated Manual Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electromechanically assisted steering systems in motor vehicles face challenges in seamlessly transitioning from automated to manual driving modes, particularly at high speeds, where drivers struggle to operate the steering wheel during bends and need to quickly resume control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a steering wheel actuator unit, a front-axle actuator unit, and a control unit to determine driver intent through variables like gripping force, torque, and rotational angle, allowing seamless and rapid switching between automated and manual control without requiring button presses or wheel repositioning, using fuzzy logic to process data from sensors and other vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is moved into a predefined static position during automated driving, then the driver can operate input means on the steering wheel more easily, but the driver cannot quickly resume manual control when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel position is made dynamic rather than static. During automated driving, the steering wheel can be held in a comfortable position for the driver, but when the driver applies torque or gripping force indicating intent to take control, the system dynamically adjusts the steering wheel position to match the front wheel position, enabling immediate manual control without mechanical resistance or repositioning delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical steering connections with an electromechanical system. Sensors detect driver intent through torque and gripping force, and actuators electronically adjust the steering wheel position to match front wheel position. This substitution of mechanical coupling with electronic control allows seamless transition between automated and manual modes without mechanical friction or repositioning requirements
2Reliability
If the driver has to press push button keys or pull the steering wheel toward himself to switch from automated to manual driving, then system switching is explicit and controlled, but the switching process is delayed and requires additional driver actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects driver intent to take control through sensors measuring torque and gripping force on the steering wheel. When the driver applies force indicating intent to steer, the system self-activates manual mode without requiring separate button presses or explicit commands. The driver's natural steering input serves as both the detection signal and the control input, enabling immediate mode transition
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors steering wheel torque and gripping force as feedback signals. When these signals exceed predefined thresholds, the control unit interprets this as driver intent and automatically switches from automated to manual mode. This feedback mechanism enables reliable and rapid mode transition based on natural driver behavior
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a steering system includes the steps of: (1) acquiring a variable at least during the partially automated driving; (2) determining whether or not the driver wishes to control the vehicle manually using a variable; (3) ending the partially automated driving and converting steering movements applied by the driver into steering movements of the motor vehicle via a front-axle actuator unit irrespective of the current rotational angle of the steering wheel, if the driver wishes to control the vehicle manually. The variable acquired during partially automated driving may be any of the following: a driver gripping force applied to the steering wheel, a driver torque applied to the steering wheel, deflection of the steering wheel, a gradient of the driver gripping force to the steering wheel, a gradient of the driver torque applied to the steering wheel, and deflection gradient of the steering wheel.