Temporary Steering Power Boost During System Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steering systems in vehicles, particularly in autonomous and steer-by-wire systems, face issues with fault tolerance and power insufficiency during degradation, leading to inadequate performance in critical driving situations.

Innovation Solution

A method to control steering systems by determining performance degradation, assessing vehicle situations, and modifying the degradation level temporarily to ensure sufficient power for emergency maneuvers, using vehicle signals like speed, acceleration, and actuator feedback to enhance system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the steering system operates in a degraded state to reduce power consumption or avoid damage, then energy efficiency and system protection are improved, but steering performance and reliability in emergency situations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsteering performance in emergency situations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time situation assessment. The controller monitors vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and other parameters to determine when emergency maneuvers are required, temporarily switching from degraded to full-performance mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain energy efficiency during normal operation while ensuring reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (power output, actuator activation) based on the determined vehicle situation. When an emergency situation is detected through parameters like high lateral acceleration or rapid yaw rate changes, the controller modifies the degradation level to provide sufficient steering power, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and emergency performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the steering system maintains full performance continuously, then steering reliability and emergency handling capability are improved, but energy consumption and system stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic assessment of vehicle situations and adjusts performance levels accordingly. Rather than maintaining full power continuously, the controller periodically evaluates whether emergency conditions exist and temporarily activates full performance only when necessary, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The steering system autonomously manages its own power consumption by monitoring its operational state and environmental conditions. The controller automatically determines when degraded mode is sufficient and when full performance is required, eliminating the need for external intervention and optimizing the balance between reliability and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If degradation level is decreased temporarily for emergency maneuvers, then steering performance is improved, but system wear and potential damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering powerVSAvoidsystem damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of vehicle situations before emergency maneuvers are required. By continuously monitoring parameters such as lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and steering angle, the controller prepares to activate full performance mode in advance when emergency conditions are detected, ensuring sufficient power is available while minimizing the duration of high-stress operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system rushes through the transition to full performance mode only for the brief duration necessary to complete the emergency maneuver. The controller quickly activates full power when needed and immediately returns to degraded mode afterward, minimizing the time the system operates under high stress and thereby reducing cumulative wear and potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

4Reliability

If the steering system uses redundant architecture with multiple actuators, then fault tolerance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial redundancy by having multiple actuators but not requiring all of them to operate simultaneously at full capacity. During normal operation, the system can function with reduced actuator engagement (degraded mode), while the redundant actuators remain available to be activated temporarily when emergency conditions arise, providing fault tolerance without requiring full complex operation continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12441394B2Power boost during degradation of a steering system

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG

AI summary

A method of controlling a steering system for a vehicle includes determining a state of performance degradation of the steering system, determining a vehicle situation, determining if a performance of the steering system in the determined state of performance degradation is sufficient for the determined vehicle situation, and, if the performance of the steering system is not sufficient, modifying the state of performance degradation by decreasing a degradation level for a period of time.