Vehicle Steering Torque Control for Autonomous Driving Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle steering systems fail to provide fully autonomous driving while ensuring driver attention and safety, particularly in avoiding microsleep-induced dangerous situations, as they either require constant driver intervention or lack effective feedback mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a target trajectory adapted to the surrounding situation, with a basic steering torque calculated using a mathematical vehicle model, and a tolerance corridor, allowing for largely autonomous driving while enabling the driver to make adjustments, and superimposing a steering guidance torque to guide the vehicle back into the corridor if it leaves, providing increased resistance to recognize and correct deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a steering system provides fully autonomous driving without driver intervention, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but driver attention decreases and safety is compromised due to microsleep and lack of feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the driver receives tactile feedback through the steering wheel when the vehicle deviates from the target trajectory. The system calculates a steering torque based on the deviation and applies it to the steering wheel, providing the driver with sensory feedback about the vehicle's position and encouraging corrective steering input to maintain attention and safety while enabling autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The steering torque acts as an intermediary between the autonomous steering system and the driver. Instead of directly controlling the steering wheel without driver input, the system generates a torque that influences the driver's steering actions, mediating between full automation and driver control to maintain both productivity and safety
2Reliability
If the steering system requires constant driver intervention to maintain control, then driver attention is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates and driver fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates a target trajectory and determines the steering torque needed to follow it, then applies this calculated torque through the steering wheel to assist the driver. This copying of the ideal steering input reduces the actual effort needed while maintaining driver engagement, as the system handles the precise trajectory following while the driver provides supervisory control
3Manufacturing precision
If the steering system generates autonomous steering torque without tolerance, then manufacturing precision and control accuracy are improved, but ease of operation worsens due to lack of driver freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the steering torque based on the driver's input and the vehicle's deviation from the target trajectory. The torque is calculated as a function of the deviation and is applied in a dynamic feedback loop, allowing the system to maintain precise trajectory following while adapting to driver actions and environmental conditions like wind
Data Source
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AI summary
In the case of a method for adjusting a steering system in a vehicle (10), a desired trajectory (25) is produced, the desired trajectory being assigned a tolerance corridor (24), wherein a basic steering moment for guiding the vehicle (10) within the tolerance corridor is generated. In the event of the vehicle (10) leaving the tolerance corridor (24), a steering guidance moment which acts upon the vehicle (10) in the direction of the tolerance corridor (24) is superimposed on the basic steering moment.