Torque sensor backup in a steer-by-wire system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a steer-by-wire system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
- a) detecting failure within a driver interface system;
b) sensing a torque applied by a driver of the vehicle to a steering mechanism after detection of the failure; and
c) maneuvering the vehicle as a function of the torque sensed after the failure.
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Abstract
A steer-by-wire system for use in a vehicle includes a driver interface system. The driver interface system includes a steering mechanism for use by an operator of the vehicle. The steer-by-wire system may allow the operator to steer the vehicle during failures within the driver interface system. When a failure is detected, the movement of the steering mechanism is controlled and torque applied by the operator to the steering mechanism is measured. The vehicle is maneuvered by the steer-by-wire system as a function of the torque applied.
42 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of operating a steer-by-wire system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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a) detecting failure within a driver interface system;
b) sensing a torque applied by a driver of the vehicle to a steering mechanism after detection of the failure; and
c) maneuvering the vehicle as a function of the torque sensed after the failure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
setting a value for the position of the steering mechanism;
adjusting the value as a function of the torque; and
maneuvering as a function of the adjusted value.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein a) comprises detecting a locked steering mechanism condition.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein a) comprises detecting that movement of the steering mechanism is impaired.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein a) comprises detecting the malfunction of a steering mechanism position sensor.
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9. A method of maneuvering a vehicle using a steer-by-wire system when a steering mechanism within the steer-by-wire system is non-responsive to driver commands, the method comprising:
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a) restricting movement of the steering mechanism;
b) sensing torque applied to the steering mechanism that is indicative of driver commands; and
c) controlling the trajectory of the vehicle as a function of the torque. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
setting an initial angular position of the steering mechanism;
calculating an estimated angular position as a function of the torque; and
adjusting the trajectory as a function of the estimated angular position.
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11. The method of claim 9, wherein b) comprises converting a magnitude of rotational torque to an angular position of the steering mechanism.
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12. The method of claim 9, wherein a) comprises generating counter-torque with a friction device.
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13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the act of initiating a torque steer mode.
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14. The method of claim 9, wherein b) comprises sampling an output from a torque sensor during a time period.
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15. The method of claim 9, wherein c) further comprises adjusting the turning angle of a road wheel.
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16. A method of maneuverjng a vehicle using a steer-by-wire system, the method comprising;
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a) detecting a failure within a driver interface system of the steer-by-wire system;
b) initiating a torque steer mode in response to the failure;
c) enabling a counter-torque to restrict movement of a steering mechanism;
d) measuring a torque applied to the steering mechanism by a driver of the vehicle;
e) calculating an estimated position of the steering mechanism as a function of the torque; and
f) adjusting an angular position of a road wheel as a function of the estimated position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A steer-by-wire system for steering a vehicle, the steer-by-wire system comprising:
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a driver interface system comprising a steering mechanism and a torque sensor coupled to the steering mechanism; and
a controller electrically connected with the driver interface system, the controller operable to detect failure conditions within the driver interface system, the controller operable to steer the vehicle during failure conditions as a function of torque measurable by the torque sensor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification