Electronic Control System for Steer by Wire

Abstract

Automobile industry’s focus is on efficiency, safety and performance has resulted in the rapid introduction of electronics in vehicle safety systems and engine management. Mechanical and Hydraulic systems are now gradually being replaced by electronic controllers to achieve the objectives of optimizing power consumption, improving driver convenience, and maximizing driver safety resulting in an overall improved performance and experience. Vehicle steering systems have transitioned from mechanical to hydraulic power to an electric power assisted steering system and now to the state of the art, Steer by Wire (SbW) system. Traditional mechanical systems included a steering wheel, column, gear, rack and pinion and did not support any power steering. The next generation hydraulic systems were more stable, safer and required comparatively lesser effort. Electric or DC motors drove the Electric Power System addressing the drawbacks of the hydraulic systems especially those related to environment and acoustics with the added advantage of a compact structure and power-on-demand engine performance. By-wire steering technologies was originally introduced in the Concord aircraft in 1970s. The SbW is a steering system with no steering column. The mechanical interface between the steering wheel and the wheels is replaced with by-wire electrical connection/electronic actuators. SbW system has significant advantages in terms of driving safety due to the availability of the steering command in electronic form and the removal of the steering shaft, cruising comfort with driving manoeuvring due to no space constraint and favourable to the environment with the non-usage of hydraulic oils.