Hybrid steer-by-wire with mechanical link
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and first and second steered wheels, the system comprising:
- a first subsystem comprising a mechanical coupling between the steering wheel and the first steered wheel of the vehicle;
a second subsystem comprising an actuator adapted to turn the second steered wheel of the vehicle; and
an electronic controller adapted to receive information from the first subsystem indicative of the position of the steering wheel and to thereby control the actuator to turn the second steered wheel in accordance therewith, wherein the first and second steered wheels are located at the same end of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle includes two subsystems. The first subsystem connects a steering wheel with a mechanical link adapted to turn a first wheel of the vehicle. The second subsystem has an electro-mechanical actuator adapted to turn a second wheel of the vehicle. An electronic controller adapted to receive information indicative of the positions of the steering wheel and the first wheel controls the electro-mechanical actuator to thereby control the position of the second wheel.
35 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and first and second steered wheels, the system comprising:
-
a first subsystem comprising a mechanical coupling between the steering wheel and the first steered wheel of the vehicle;
a second subsystem comprising an actuator adapted to turn the second steered wheel of the vehicle; and
an electronic controller adapted to receive information from the first subsystem indicative of the position of the steering wheel and to thereby control the actuator to turn the second steered wheel in accordance therewith, wherein the first and second steered wheels are located at the same end of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a master controller;
a steering controller; and
at least one fault detection controller.
-
-
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one fault detection controller is in signal communication with the first sensor, the master controller, the at least one motor and the second sensor whereby the at least one fault detection controller is operative to receive a first signal from the first sensor, a second signal from the master controller and a third signal from the second sensor, and in response thereto to provide a fourth signal as output directed to the at least one motor and a fifth signal as output directed to the master controller so as to allow the at least one motor to control the position of the actuator.
-
9. The system of claim 2 further comprising a motor coupled to the first subsystem for providing torque assistance to the steering wheel of the vehicle.
-
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the motor provides position control of the first steered wheel of the vehicle for hands free operation of the vehicle.
-
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the electronic controller comprises:
-
a master controller;
a steering controller; and
at least one fault detection controller.
-
-
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the steering controller is in signal communication with the master controller to provide steering column torque-assist and position control operative to control the motor to thereby provide steering torque-assist for the steering wheel and position control for automated steering of the first steered wheel for hands free operation of the vehicle.
-
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the master controller is in signal communication with the steering controller, the first sensor and the at least one fault detection controller, whereby the master controller is operative to receive a first signal from the first sensor, a second signal from the steering controller, and a third signal from the at least one fault detection controller and to thereby coordinate the functional operations of the steering controller and the at least one fault detection controller.
-
14. A method for steering a vehicle having first and second steered wheels, the method comprising:
-
mechanically coupling a steering wheel to the first steered wheel;
coupling an electric actuator to the second steered wheel, the actuator adapted to turn the second steered wheel of the vehicle;
turning the first steered wheel of the vehicle in direct correspondence with the position of the steering wheel;
receiving information indicative of at least one of the position of the steering wheel and the position of the first steered wheel; and
commandedly signaling the electric actuator in accordance with the received information thereby controlling the actuator to turn the second steered wheel of the vehicle in accordance therewith, wherein the first and second steered wheels are located at the same end of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
measuring the position of the actuator;
comparing the position of the actuator with the commanded signal to determine a difference signal; and
controlling the second steered wheel in correspondence with the difference signal.
-
-
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
-
detecting a torque on the steering wheel; and
providing an assist torque to at least one of the steering wheel and the first steered wheel responsive to the detected torque.
-
-
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
-
detecting a fault in the vehicle; and
controlling the position of at least one of the first and second steered wheels in response to the detected fault.
-
-
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
-
receiving a hands free control signal; and
controlling the positions of the first and second steered wheels in correspondence with the hands free control signal.
-
-
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
-
receiving a signal indicative of the torque applied to the steering wheel by a driver; and
overriding the hands free control signal when the applied torque is greater than a threshold amount so that the driver may directly control the first and second steered wheels.
-
-
20. Means for controlling a hybrid steer-by-wire and mechanical steering system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and first and second steered wheels, comprising:
-
means for mechanically turning the first steered wheel of the vehicle in correspondence with the position of the steering wheel, the steering wheel being mechanically coupled to the first steered wheel;
means for receiving information indicative of the position of the steering wheel;
means for producing a control signal indicative of a desired position of the second steered wheel in response to the received information; and
means for turning the second steered wheel in accordance with the produced control signal, wherein the first and second steered wheels are located at the same end of the vehicle.
-
Specification