Vehicle Steering Arrangement with Virtual Feedback Model
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle steering systems, particularly those using Electrical Power Assist Systems (EPAS) and steer-by-wire systems, face challenges in providing adequate road feedback to drivers, compromising safety and increasing manufacturing costs due to complexity and the need for redundant elements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering arrangement that includes a rack, position sensor, torque sensor, electronic control unit with a virtual steering model, and a rack-mounted electromechanical actuator, which senses and controls the rack position to provide desired feedback while maintaining road disturbance attenuation, eliminating the need for redundant elements and enhancing steering control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If Electrical Power Assist Systems (EPAS) are used to reduce weight and manufacturing costs, then weight and manufacturing costs are reduced, but road feedback to the driver is isolated and feedback level is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where road contact information is captured by sensors on the steered wheels and transmitted to the driver through the steering wheel. The system measures wheel position, steering angle, and road contact forces, then provides compensated feedback to maintain natural road feel while using the lighter EPAS system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and actuators that mediate between the road contact points and the driver's steering wheel. This intermediary captures road information at the wheel level and transmits it through the steering column, bridging the gap between EPAS isolation and driver feedback needs.
2Volume of moving object
If steer-by-wire systems are used to eliminate mechanical linkages, then space and weight are saved, but redundant safety elements are required and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages between the steering wheel and steered wheels with an electromechanical system. Sensors detect steering wheel position and wheel position, and an actuator provides assist force, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tie rods and linkages while maintaining safety through redundant sensing and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the same sensors and actuators serve both steering assistance and safety monitoring functions. The system simultaneously provides power assist, road feedback, and safety redundancy without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
3Volume of moving object
If steer-by-wire systems are used to eliminate mechanical linkages, then space is saved, but manufacturing costs increase due to complexity and redundant elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the same sensors and actuators serve both steering assistance and safety monitoring functions. The system simultaneously provides power assist, road feedback, and safety redundancy without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The control unit combines steering assist control, road feedback processing, and safety monitoring algorithms. The actuator integrates force application and position sensing capabilities, reducing overall system component count and manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering arrangement for a vehicle comprises a rack a position sensor, a steering column, a steering wheel, a torque sensor arranged to sense a torque applied onto the steering wheel and arranged to provide a torque signal representative thereof, an electronic control unit provided with a virtual steering model, a rack-mounted electromechanical actuator, and a force obtaining arrangement configured to obtain forces of steered wheels acting on the rack. The electronic control unit is configured to provide a virtual rack position based on the virtual steering model and at least a combination of the obtained forces and the torque signal, and is arranged to control the rack-mounted electromechanical actuator such that the current position of the rack is controlled towards the virtual rack position. The present disclosure also relates to an autonomous vehicle steering arrangement, a vehicle and a method of steering a vehicle.