Method for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system

• US 8,301,339 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Renault Trucks (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Dechamp, Francois
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/089,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,576 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/09 characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels varying the ratio automatically depending on driving conditions B62D6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/007 Emergency systems using the steering system for braking

Abstract

A method is aimed at controlling a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle having at least one steering axle having at least two steer wheels electronically controlled by a control member. In the case of asymmetric adhesion conditions, the method anticipates steering into the skid for the first steer wheel that is on the surface exhibiting the higher coefficient of adhesion—for example asphalt—so as to counter a moment applied to the Z-axis. At the same time, the second steer wheel which is on the surface having the lower coefficient of adhesion—for example a sheet of black ice—remains in the vehicle direction of travel or is oriented towards the second steer wheel in a snow plough mode. The vehicle stability is vastly improved when the vehicle regains an area of uniform adhesion.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle having at least one steering axle having at least two steer wheels each controlled by a control member, wherein the method comprises:

detecting a difference in behaviour between a first steer wheel and a second steer wheel thereby indicating, asymmetric steer wheel adhesion, the first steer wheel being in contact with a first area which exhibits a first coefficient of adhesion and the second steer wheel being in contact with a second area which exhibits a second coefficient of adhesion, the first coefficient of adhesion being higher than the second coefficient of adhesion,

calculating a theoretical yaw parameter as a function at least of an actual speed of the vehicle and of an actual position of the control member,

measuring an actual yaw parameter using a yaw sensor,

comparing the actual yaw parameter with the theoretical yaw parameter,

angling the first steer wheel in contact with the area exhibiting the first coefficient of adhesion by a first angle whereby the first steer wheel is oriented in a direction opposing the yaw and angling the second steer wheel in contact with the area exhibiting, the second coefficient of adhesion by a second angle wherein the second angle is between a value such that the second steer wheel is oriented substantially in a vehicle direction of travel, and a value whereby the second steer wheel is oriented towards the first steer wheel, if a difference between the actual yaw parameter and the theoretical yaw parameter exceeds a reference data.

2. The method according, to claim 1 for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle having at least one steering axle having at least two steer wheels, the steering system comprising in particular:

at least one means for sensing capable of detecting the position of a control Member,

at least two actuators capable of acting respectively on each of the steer wheels in order to orient the first and second steer wheel independently by the first and second angles, respectively, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,

means for processing able to receive an input signal originating from the sensing means and able to emit an output signal bound for each of the actuators, wherein the method comprises;

acting on the actuator of the first steer wheel in contact with the area exhibiting the first coefficient of adhesion in order to angle the steer wheel by the first angle such that the first steer wheel is oriented in the direction opposing the yaw; and

acting on the actuator of the second steer wheel in contact with the area exhibiting the second coefficient of adhesion in order to angle the wheel by the second angle, with the second angle being between the value such that the second steer wheel is oriented substantially in the vehicle direction of travel and the value whereby the second steer wheel is oriented towards the first steer wheel, if the difference between the actual yaw parameter and the theoretical yaw exceeds the reference data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of detecting the difference in behaviour between the two steer wheels is performed while the vehicle is under braking.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting a second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is nil.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is oriented in a direction equal to the direction of the yaw speed and is greater than 0.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first angle formed by the first steer wheel having the first coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the second angle formed by the second steer wheel in contact with the surface having the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle are oriented in opposite directions and have the same magnitude.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein it comprises the step of modifying initial angles formed respectively by the first and second steer wheels with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by respectively the first and second angles.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of detecting a difference in behaviour thereby indicating asymmetric steer wheel adhesion, one wheel being in contact with an area having a first coefficient of adhesion and one wheel being in contact with a surface of low adhesion, is performed using speed sensors of each of the first and second steer wheels of an and Jock braking system.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting a second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is nil.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is oriented in a direction equal to the direction of the yaw speed and is greater than 0.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first angle formed by the first steer wheel having the first coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the second angle formed by the second steer wheel in contact with the surface having the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle are oriented in opposite directions and have the same magnitude.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein it comprises the step of modifying initial angles formed respectively by the first and second steer wheels with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by respectively the first and second angles.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the difference in behaviour between the two steer wheels is performed while the vehicle is under braking.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first angle formed by the first steer wheel having the first coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the second angle formed by the second steer wheel in contact with the surface having the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle are oriented in opposite directions and have the same magnitude.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein it comprises the step of modifying initial angles formed respectively by the first and second steer wheels with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by respectively the first and second angles.

14. The method according to claim , wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting a second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is nil.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second angle formed by the second steer wheel exhibiting the second coefficient of adhesion and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is oriented in a direction equal to the direction of the yaw speed and is greater than 0.