Steering Wheel Tactile Feedback for Brake-to-Steer Fallback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire systems in vehicles may experience failures leading to reduced lateral performance and delayed yaw response, causing a mismatch between driver expectations and vehicle capabilities during brake-to-steer operations.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically modifies steering wheel effort and end-of-travel limits based on vehicle feedback, using electronic control units to emulate the feel of a degraded steering system through torque overlays and angle adjustments, accompanied by visual and auditory alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brake-to-steer system is implemented after steering system failure, then vehicle can still be steered, but lateral performance is reduced and driver awareness of reduced capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements tactile feedback through the steering wheel by dynamically modifying steering wheel effort and end-of-travel limits based on vehicle feedback. This provides the driver with sensory information about the vehicle's reduced lateral performance and brake-to-steer operation, resolving the information loss while maintaining steering reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensory feedback (analogous to color changes in visual systems) by emulating the feel of a degraded steering system through torque overlays and angle adjustments. This communicates the degraded state to the driver through tactile sensations rather than visual displays
2Reliability
If brake-to-steer system is implemented, then vehicle can still be steered, but there is a mismatch between driver expectations and vehicle capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous tactile feedback through the steering wheel that communicates vehicle capabilities and responses to driver inputs. This alignment of feedback with actual vehicle performance reduces the mismatch between driver expectations and actual vehicle behavior during brake-to-steer operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts steering wheel effort parameters and end-of-travel limits based on vehicle operating conditions and capabilities. These parameter changes ensure the steering feel matches the actual vehicle response, improving driver-vehicle communication during degraded operation
3Loss of information
If tactile feedback is provided through steering wheel, then driver awareness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steering wheel is made multi-functional by enabling it to provide both steering control and tactile feedback communication. The same steering wheel infrastructure is used to convey information about vehicle capabilities, avoiding the need for separate feedback devices and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of modifying steering wheel effort and end of travel limits dynamically during electronic power steering failure, steer-by-wire failure, or brake-to-steer implementation within a vehicle where steering systems have degraded or failed to provide a driver with a normal or near-normal steering driving experience while brake-to-steer systems are in use.