Electronic Steering Torque Feedback Redundancy for Fault Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic steering systems lack sufficient redundancy in torque feedback to the driver, leading to uncomfortable and potentially incorrect feedback during unexpected operating conditions, which can limit the functionality and comfort of the system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundant electronic steering system with at least three independent feedback channels and steering channels, each with its own control device, to independently detect and provide torque feedback and steering control, ensuring continuous functionality even in unexpected operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single feedback channel is used in electronic steering systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of torque feedback deteriorates during unexpected operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system is segmented into multiple independent feedback channels (first feedback channel, second feedback channel, third feedback channel), each with its own feedback control device. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable torque feedback through at least one functional channel even when others fail, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by distributing functionality across independent segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements redundant feedback channels as a preventive measure against unexpected operating conditions. By having multiple independent feedback paths established beforehand, the system cushions against potential failures, ensuring that torque feedback reliability is maintained even when some channels become non-functional.
2Reliability
If multiple independent feedback channels are implemented, then the reliability and availability of steering control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system is divided into multiple independent feedback channels with separate control devices, each capable of independently detecting road wheel position/movement and controlling feedback torque application. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high availability by switching to functional channels when others fail, accepting increased complexity as a necessary trade-off for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each feedback channel is designed with independent local quality characteristics, having its own control device and detection capabilities. This allows individual channels to be optimized and managed separately, with the system as a whole achieving high availability through the combination of independent local units.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed examples include a first feedback control device to control application of first feedback torque to a steering wheel via a first feedback channel; a second feedback control device independent of the first feedback control device, the second feedback control device to control application of second feedback torque to the steering wheel via a second feedback channel, the second feedback channel independent of the first feedback channel; and a third feedback control device independent of the first and second feedback control devices, the third feedback control device to control application of third feedback torque to the steering wheel via a third feedback channel, the third feedback channel independent of the first and second feedback channels, wherein ones of the first, second, and third feedback control devices are to control the application of corresponding ones of the first, second, and third feedback torques to the steering wheel.