Wheel Torque Steering Control During Single-Wheel Drive Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control systems fail to maintain effective steering and longitudinal movement when one of the individual wheel drives on a steerable axle malfunctions, leading to reduced driving safety.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes individual wheel drives on steerable and non-steerable axles to generate drive torques and braking torques, allowing the vehicle to steer and move longitudinally even with a malfunctioning wheel drive, by distributing torque between wheels on the steerable axle and using a controllable braking device to fix the steering angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional wheel drive system is used with individual wheel drives on steerable axles, then normal steering and longitudinal movement are achieved, but the system fails to maintain steering functionality when one of the individual wheel drives malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wheel drives multi-functional by enabling them to perform both steering and longitudinal movement functions. When a wheel drive on a steerable axle malfunctions, other functional wheel drives (including those on non-steerable axles) can compensate by generating torques to maintain steering capability, thus achieving universal functionality across different operational modes and failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by redistributing torque among available functional wheel drives based on their current state and capability. The control unit adjusts torque distribution parameters in real-time to maintain steering functionality despite component failures, transforming the system from a fixed-function configuration to an adaptive parameter-based control system.
2Reliability
If the vehicle uses only wheel drives on steerable axles for steering, then steering control is simplified, but longitudinal movement capability is reduced when wheel drives malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
Wheel drives are designed to perform multiple functions - both steering and longitudinal movement - regardless of axle type. Functional wheel drives on non-steerable axles can compensate for failures on steerable axles by generating appropriate torques, ensuring that longitudinal movement capability is maintained even when some wheel drives malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential failures by having redundant wheel drive capabilities distributed across multiple axles. Before a failure occurs, the control system is configured to recognize and utilize alternative wheel drives for compensation, cushioning against the impact of failures on overall vehicle functionality.
3Reliability
If individual wheel drives are used on all axles, then driving safety is improved during malfunctions, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wheel drive architecture where each wheel drive unit is capable of performing multiple functions (steering and propulsion) regardless of its location. This standardized multi-functional design simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having specialized dedicated systems for each function, while still providing the redundancy needed for enhanced safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges steering and longitudinal movement functions into a unified control framework that manages torque distribution across all wheel drives. By combining these functions under a single control paradigm, the system reduces operational complexity while maintaining the safety benefits of distributed wheel drive capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle is controlled via a method, particularly for steering during a malfunction. Two wheels are arranged on a steerable axle of the motor vehicle and each can be driven by a single-wheel drive. At least one wheel is arranged on a non-steerable axle of the motor vehicle and can be driven by a wheel drive. In the event of a malfunction of one of the single-wheel drives being identified, a drive torque or a braking torque is generated with the functioning single-wheel drive of the wheel arranged on the steerable axle of the motor vehicle to steer the wheels arranged on the steerable axle in a specified direction. A drive torque or a braking torque is generated with the wheel drive of the wheel arranged on the non-steerable axle of the motor vehicle to at least partially bring about a specified longitudinal movement of the motor vehicle.