Steering Control Device Torque Neutral Position Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steering systems cause a large steering load on drivers when correcting the vehicle's position within a lane due to the coincidence of steering angle and torque neutral positions, leading to inverted steering torque signs.

Innovation Solution

A steering control device that mechanically uncouples the steering unit from the turning unit, with a steering reaction force characteristic that increases with self-aligning torque, offsetting the steering torque neutral position to reduce the likelihood of steering torque sign inversion during corrective steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the steering angle neutral position and steering torque neutral position coincide with each other, then the steering system structure is simple, but the steering load on the driver increases during corrective steering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering system structureVSAvoidsteering load
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent offsets the steering torque neutral position relative to the steering angle neutral position by adjusting the steering reaction force characteristic coordinates. This parameter change allows the steering torque to maintain the same sign during corrective steering operations, preventing the driver from experiencing sudden force direction changes and reducing overall steering load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the steering reaction force characteristic is offset to increase absolute value closer to white line, then the steering torque neutral position is offset to reduce sign inversion, but the steering system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering torque sign inversion reductionVSAvoidsteering reaction force characteristic control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic offset of the steering reaction force characteristic based on real-time lateral position detection. The steering torque neutral position is dynamically adjusted relative to the steering angle neutral position according to the vehicle's lateral distance from the lane center, enabling adaptive reduction of steering torque sign inversion during corrective steering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses lateral position detection feedback to continuously adjust the steering reaction force characteristic offset. The controller monitors the vehicle's lateral position relative to the lane and dynamically modifies the steering torque neutral position to prevent sign inversion, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces steering load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3351457B1Steering control device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3351457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3351457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3351457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The turning amount of a turning unit (2) is controlled according to the steering amount of a steering unit (1) mechanically uncoupled from the turning unit (2). A steering reaction force characteristic in which the larger the self-aligning torque, the larger the steering reaction force is set on coordinates with the self-aligning torque and the steering reaction force as coordinate axes. When the steering reaction force corresponding to the self-aligning torque is applied to the steering unit (1) based on the steering reaction force characteristic, the steering reaction force characteristic is offset on the coordinates in such a direction that the closer the lateral position of an own vehicle to a white line, the larger the absolute value of the steering reaction force.