Steering Wheel Angle Error Correction via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active steering systems in motor vehicles often result in visible steering wheel offsets when the vehicle is traveling straight, due to production deviations, faulty settings, or wear, which can affect driver comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a steering wheel angle sensor, actuator angle sensor, and sensors like wheel speed and lateral acceleration sensors to calculate a correction angle, adjusting the steering wheel angle to align it with the vehicle's direction of motion, ensuring the wheel appears straight to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active steering systems are implemented to improve steering performance and driving comfort, then steering responsiveness and stability are improved, but visible steering wheel offsets occur when the vehicle travels straight ahead
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual steering wheel angle using a steering wheel angle sensor and compares it with the expected angle calculated from actuator position and vehicle speed. When a deviation is detected, the system generates a correction signal to adjust the steering wheel position, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that eliminates visible offsets while maintaining active steering performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment adjustment mechanisms with an electronic correction system. Instead of physically adjusting the steering wheel position through mechanical means, the system uses electronic actuators and control algorithms to calculate and apply correction angles, enabling dynamic and continuous alignment correction without mechanical intervention
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel angle is adjusted to correct visible offsets, then driver comfort is improved, but additional sensors and control systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes existing vehicle sensors serve multiple functions. The steering wheel angle sensor, actuator angle sensor, and speed sensor are used not only for their primary active steering control functions but also for calculating correction angles to eliminate visible offsets. This multi-functional use of existing sensors corrects alignment issues without requiring additional dedicated sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically calculates and applies correction angles using data from existing sensors without requiring manual intervention or additional alignment equipment. The system self-corrects the steering wheel position by continuously monitoring sensor data and adjusting the steering wheel angle through the actuator, making the alignment correction process autonomous and eliminating the need for external alignment tools
Data Source
AI summary
A system for correcting steering wheel angle errors of a motor vehicle of the present disclosure may include a steering wheel angle sensor, an actuator angle sensor, and at least one of a wheel speed sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The system may further include a controller configured to receive signals from the steering wheel angle sensor, actuator angle sensor, and at least one of the wheel speed sensor and lateral acceleration sensor. The controller may be configured to calculate a correction angle based on the signals, and adjust a steering wheel angle of a steering wheel, as observed by a driver of the motor vehicle, based on the correction angle.