Browse Topic: Steering wheels
SBW(Steer-by-wire) is a steering system that transmits the driver’s request and gives feedback to the driver through electrical signals. This system eliminates the mechanical connection of the traditional steering system, and can realize the decoupling of the steering wheel and the road wheel. In addition, this system has a perfect torque feedback system, which can accurately and delicately feedback the road surface information to the driver. However, vehicle driving deviation is one of the most common failure modes affecting vehicle performance in the automotive aftermarket, this failure mode can exacerbates tire wear, reducing their life cycle, at the same time, the driver must apply a counter torque to the steering wheel for a long time to maintain straight-line travel during driving. This increases the driver’s operational burden and poses safety hazards to the vehicle’s operation. Based on the steer-by-wire system and vehicle driving deviation characteristics, this paper proposes
The structural integrity of the steering wheel is important for vehicle operations. It is subjected to various load conditions during the vehicle motion. It thus becomes important to understand various aspects of the same which include stiffness, natural frequency, and regulatory requirements i.e. body block test, head form impact test, etc. Simulation plays an important role in understanding the structural integrity and validation requirements of products at the design stage itself. This paper discusses the modeling and simulation of the steering wheel at both the armature level and the complete steering wheel level. As armature is critical from a structural strength and stiffness point of view, certain simulations like modal analysis are performed first at the armature level, and design iterations were done to achieve the natural frequency target. The list of simulations performed includes modal analysis, bending rigidity, static compression, bending stiffness, body block test and
ZF rethinks safety with new airbags, belt tensioner. ZF knows that the steering wheel remains one of the most relevant components in an automotive interior, because this is where drivers have direct contact to the vehicle. As steering wheels become adorned with more functions than some drivers know what to do with, ZF put Marc Schledorn in charge of the teams rethinking how the driver airbag could operate in a world with ever-busier steering wheels. The solution is a new type of steering wheel airbag that ZF Lifetec (ZF's renamed Passive Safety Systems division) announced in June. Instead of moving through a thermoplastic airbag cover mechanically fixed in the center of the wheel, Schledorn told SAE Media, the new design positions the airbag on the top side of the steering wheel and then expands through the upper rim of the wheel when needed
This research aims to develop an inverse controller to track target vibration signals for the application to car subsystem evaluations. In recent times, perceptive assessments of car vibration have been technically significant, particularly parts interacting with passengers in the car such as steering wheels and seats. Conventional vibration test methods make it hard to track the target vibration signals in an accurate manner without compensating for the influence of the transfer function. Hence, this paper researched the vibration tracking system based on inverse system identification and digital signal processing technologies. Specifically, the controller employed a semi-active algorithm referring to both the offline modeling of the inverse system and the adaptive control. The semi-active controller could reconstruct the target vibration signal in a more efficient and safer way. The proposed methodology was first confirmed through computation simulations using Simulink. The
The pursuit of maintaining a zero-sideslip angle has long driven the development of four-wheel-steering (4WS) technology, enhancing vehicle directional performance, as supported by extensive studies. However, strict adherence to this principle often leads to excessive understeer characteristics before tire saturation limits are reached, resulting in counter-intuitive and uncomfortable steering maneuvers during turns with variable speeds. This research delves into the phenomenon encountered when a 4WS-equipped vehicle enters a curved path while simultaneously decelerating, necessitating a reduction in steering input to adapt to the increasing road curvature. To address this challenge, this paper presents a novel method for dynamically regulating the steady-state yaw rate of 4WS vehicles. This regulation aims to decrease the vehicle's sideslip angle and provide controlled understeer within predetermined limits. As a result, the vehicle can maintain a zero-sideslip angle during turns with
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a programmable steering wheel called the Tri-Rotor, which allows an astronaut the ability to easily operate a vehicle on the surface of a planet or Moon despite the limited dexterity of their spacesuit. This technology was originally conceived for the operation of a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) to improve upon previous Apolloera hand controllers. In re-evaluating the kinematics of the spacesuit, such as the rotatable wrist joint and the constant volume shoulder joint, engineers developed an enhanced and programmable hand controller that became the Tri-Rotor
A significant portion of the global population about 13.6% of the world's population faces challenges due to upper limb disabilities caused by accidents, genetics, health issues or aging. These people struggle with everyday mobility tasks and often need help. Hence, the research is focused on creating special vehicle control systems to help them. This study gathers knowledge from various science and technology fields to develop foot-operated steering systems letting those with upper limb differences control vehicles with their feet. The research explores various technologies like modified steering, brain-controlled vehicles, foot-operated steering, steer-by-wire and Ackermann steering. Most of these systems are custom-made for people with upper limb differences. Ensuring safety, security, malfunction prevention, precise steering, user-friendliness and affordability is a significant challenge that demands advanced technology. Furthermore, there is a requirement to develop this system to
Customers expect more advanced features and comfort in electric vehicles. It is challenging for NVH engineers to reduce the vibration levels to a great extent in the vehicle without adding cost and weight. This paper focuses on reducing the tactile vibration in electric vehicle when AC is switched ON. Vibration levels were not acceptable and modulating in nature on the test vehicle. Electric compressor is used for cabin cooling and battery cooling in the vehicle. Compressor is connected to body with the help of isolators. Depending upon cooling load, the compressor operates between 1000 rpm and 8000 rpm. The 1st order vibration of compressor was dominant on tactile locations at all the compressor speeds. Vibration levels on steering wheel were improved by 10 dB on reducing the dynamic stiffness of isolators. To reduce the transfer of compressor vibration further, isolators are provided on HVAC line connection on body and mufflers are provided in suction and discharge line. With the
As a car OEM, we continuously strive to set the bar for competitors with every product. Consumer travel experiences are enhanced by increasing passenger cabin silence. There is only one steering system opening in the firewall panel, which is used for allowing intermediate shaft's fitment on the pinion shaft of the steering gear. The steering grommet is the sole component that covers the firewall cut-out without disrupting steering operations, which has a substantial impact on the NVH performance of the vehicle. It is typically used in cars to eliminate engine noise and dust entering to passenger compartment. The part is assembled inside the vehicle where the steering intermediate shaft passing through BIW firewall panel. We use a bearing, plastic bush, or direct rubber interference design in the steering grommet to accommodate the rotational input the driver provides to turn the automobile. However, occasionally noise may be produced due to uneven bearing or plastic bush loading or a
Magnesium alloy, known for its high strength and lightweight properties, finds widespread utilization in various technical applications. Aerospace applications, such as fuselages and steering columns, are well-suited for their utilization. These materials are frequently employed in automotive components, such as steering wheels and fuel tank lids, due to their notable corrosion resistance. The performance of magnesium alloy components remains unimproved by normal manufacturing methods due to the inherent characteristics of the material. This work introduces a contemporary approach to fabricating complex geometries through the utilization of Wire-Electro Discharge Machining (WEDM). The material utilized in this study was magnesium alloy. The investigation also considered the input parameters associated with the Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) process, specifically the pulse duration and peak current. The findings of the study encompassed the material removal rate and surface
During validation of a new brake lining on a light duty truck application, the brake rotor exhibited high lateral runout on the friction surfaces. As the engineering team investigated the issue more carefully, they noticed the rotor lateral runout was also changing from revolution to revolution. The team ran testing on multiple light pickup vehicles and found differences in the amount of rotor runout variation. The rotor lateral runout and runout variation can cause vibration and pulsation of the passenger seat and the steering wheel. To identify the root cause of the high level of rotor lateral runout and runout variation, measurement data was collected and analyzed from the vehicle level test. During further analysis, some of the runout variation corresponded to a wheel bearing internal frequency. The bearing internal geometry was studied to confirm what factors affected the runout variation. The team also conducted testing to see how the mating components may have affected the wheel
Imagine a thin, digital display so flexible that you can wrap it around your wrist, fold it in any direction, or even curve it over your car’s steering wheel. Well, imagine no more — researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago have designed such a material; it can even bend in half or stretch to more than twice its original length — and still emit a fluorescent pattern
The Brake judder is a low-level vibration caused due to Disc Thickness Variation (DTV), Temperature, Brake Torque Variation (BTV), thermal degradation, hotspot etc. which is a major concern for the past decades in automobile manufacturers. To predict the judder performance, the modelling methods are proposed in terms of frequency and BTV respectively. In this study, a mathematical model is constructed by considering full brake assembly, tie rod, coupling rod, steering column, and steering wheel as a spring mass system for identifying judder frequency. Simulation is also performed to predict the occurrence of brake judder and those results are validated with theoretical results. Similarly, for calculating BTV a separate methodology is proposed in CAE and validated with experimental and theoretical results
With high integration, high efficiency and high flexibility, the front wheel independent Steer-by-Wire system (SbW) is a key link between autonomous vehicles and intelligent chassis technology, and is one of the current focused research in industry and academia. In this paper, a strategy for active control of steering geometry of the Steer-by Wire independent steering system is proposed based on the nonlinear three-step method and Ackermann geometry relationship with the control goal of improving the driving stability and handling performance of the vehicle. The control strategy takes the front wheel steering angle difference and yaw moment as the control variables, and tracks the expected side slip angle and yaw rate as the control objectives. A more accurate vehicle model, and a nonlinear tire model with a reference vehicle model, is used to design the three-step controller to improve the effectiveness of the steady-state control and reduce the system error. When designing the
NVH is very important topic in development of a vehicle. Legislative requirements for driver ear level, the comparison to competitor vehicles in terms of noise and vibration as well as sound quality set very challenging targets. High noise at Driver Ear Level (DEL) and tactile vibrations of tractor is the major cause of exhaustion to the operator. With growing competition there is need for the tractor manufacturers to control noise and vibration levels. Recognizing the corrective measures to reduce the noise and vibration has a greater impact in increasing the efficiency of the product and operator comfort. Objective of this paper is to control vehicle level noise and vibrations using vehicle level structure modifications. It includes airborne and structure borne NVH study on a tractor by measuring sound pressure and vibration levels at vehicle level. Single cylinder engine was mounted on light weight structure to meet the power and torque requirements in the tractor. Also, there is no
Electric radiator fan is a vital component within IC and EV passenger vehicle cooling system. However, due to its operation, it induces noise and in-cab vibration affecting human comfort level. This paper primarily focus on FMS (Fan Motor Shroud) assembly induced steering wheel vibrations in a vehicle under idle + AC ON condition. The entire NVH performance was cascaded from vehicle level to component level to evaluate for high steering wheel vibration and its transfer path analysis. Unit level vibrations study was also carried out using a rigid rig under controlled conditions. Based on FMS vibration analysis, it was observed that fan blade rotating imbalance leads the high vibrations within system. Thus, a balancing method with higher precision and accuracy was used to measure and balance the fan under all operating conditions. Sensitivity analysis had been carried out for fan imbalanced boundary conditions and operating speeds. FMS assembly standalone imbalanced value and steering
Current simulation tools can assist in expediting the development and validation of powertrain control systems compared to traditional methods that exclusively use physical testing. In this study, a co-simulation platform has been developed by connecting Matlab/Simulink, IPG CarMaker, GT-Suite, and PTV Vissim together to create a virtual calibration and validation environment. The purpose of developing this platform is to save time and reduce costs during vehicle testing by largely replacing the calibration and robustness evaluation carried out on physical vehicles with a simulation-based approach. The platform constructs a virtual environment that replicates the local road network as well as populates the roads with a randomly generated traffic pattern that the simulated vehicle can interact with. By combining the strengths of each software listed above, the developed virtual environment can provide realistic drive scenarios for testing new vehicle control algorithms. One of the
Items per page:
50
1 – 50 of 674