Vehicle Tire Steering Control for Route Reentry via Common Center

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles that deviate from preset travel routes face challenges in efficiently returning to the route without performing unnecessary operations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a processing device that sets different steering angles for its tires to orient them towards a common central point, allowing efficient return to the travel route by calculating target positions and adjusting steering angles based on current and target tire positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate control units are used for different vehicle functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions (steering, braking, acceleration) into a single control unit that processes all sensor inputs and generates all control outputs. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate control units and their interconnections, reducing device complexity while maintaining full functional versatility through integrated control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed as a universal controller that can handle multiple vehicle control functions simultaneously. It receives inputs from various sensors (steering angle, brake pressure, accelerator position) and generates multiple control outputs (steering motor control, brake actuator control, acceleration control), making it a multi-functional device that replaces several specialized control units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple sensors are integrated into a single housing, then space efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested sensor housing structure where multiple sensors are housed within concentric or nested compartments. The first sensor housing contains the first sensor, while the second sensor housing contains the second sensor, with both housings integrated into a compact arrangement. This nesting approach maximizes space efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is divided into separate modular housing units (first sensor housing and second sensor housing) that can be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly. This segmentation allows each housing to be optimized for its specific sensor requirements, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving compact integration through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If sensor housings are positioned close together, then vehicle space is optimized, but electromagnetic interference between sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle spaceVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electromagnetic shielding as an intermediary element between the first sensor and the second sensor. The shielding structure is integrated into the sensor housing design, creating electromagnetic barriers that prevent interference between closely positioned sensors while allowing the housings to remain compact and space-efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housings create protected electromagnetic environments for each sensor, isolating them from external electromagnetic interference and from each other. This inert electromagnetic environment allows sensors to operate accurately in close proximity without mutual interference, optimizing vehicle space while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Data Source

PatentEP4227752B1vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP4227752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle: finds a common central point at which a difference between a distance from a current position of a first tire and a distance from a target position of the first tire is within a predetermined range and a difference between a distance from a current position of a second tire and a distance from a target position of the second tire is within a predetermined range; and sets a steering angle of each of a plurality of tires so that the tire will be oriented in a direction of a tangent to a clearance circle whose center is the common central point or oriented in a direction whose angle difference from the direction of the tangent is within a predetermined range.