GB2551440B - Wireless control system for a vehicle - Google Patents
Wireless control system for a vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2551440B GB2551440B GB1707653.0A GB201707653A GB2551440B GB 2551440 B GB2551440 B GB 2551440B GB 201707653 A GB201707653 A GB 201707653A GB 2551440 B GB2551440 B GB 2551440B
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- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- steering
- transmitting
- wireless control
- signals
- receiving
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/04—Hand wheels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
- B60R16/027—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D15/00—Steering not otherwise provided for
- B62D15/02—Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
- B62D15/021—Determination of steering angle
- B62D15/0215—Determination of steering angle by measuring on the steering column
- B62D15/022—Determination of steering angle by measuring on the steering column on or near the connection between the steering wheel and steering column
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Description
Wireless Control System for a Vehicle
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a wireless control system for a vehicle and particularly, but not exclusively, to a wireless control system for a vehicle steering system, to a vehicle comprising such a wireless control system, to a control module or processor for use in such a wireless control system, and to a method of operating a vehicle steering system.
BACKGROUND
Various vehicle control systems may require knowledge of the steering angle of a vehicle steering system. The steering angle is generally measured using a mechanical steering angle sensor. However, mechanical steering angle sensors can be inaccurate and unreliable, and may suffer from mechanical failure due to stress on components and wiring.
In addition, vehicle steering wheels are frequently required to communicate with control systems located outside the steering wheel. For example, a steering wheel comprising one or more control elements (such as a horn control, a heating/air conditioning system control, a stereo system volume control or a driving mode selection control) may be required to send a command signal generated in response to the operation of one of the control elements to a control system located outside the steering wheel. As a further example, a steering wheel comprising one or more display elements (such as a display screen or one or more warning lights) may be required to receive data to be displayed to a user from a control system located outside the steering wheel. Communication between a vehicle steering wheel and control systems located outside the steering wheel is generally provided via a wired connection, for example in the form of a clock spring. However, known data transmitting systems for steering wheels may suffer from mechanical failure due to stress on components and wiring.
It is an aim of the present invention to address at least some of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a wireless control system, a vehicle, a control module and a method of operating a vehicle steering system as claimed in the appended claims.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a wireless control system for a vehicle steering system, the wireless control system comprising a transmitting system and a receiving system, wherein one of the transmitting system and the receiving system is mounted to a movable part, for example a rotating part, of the vehicle steering system and arranged to move relative to the other one of the transmitting system and the receiving system during steering operations. The wireless control system is arranged to determine the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the received amplitude of electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system.
It will be appreciated that the determination of the steering angle may include determination of the absolute position of the steering system and/or determination of displacement of the steering system.
In an embodiment, the wireless control system is also arranged to transmit data to or from the movable part using wireless signals, for example electromagnetic radiation signals, emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system, although the additional data transmitting functionality is not required in all embodiments of the present invention.
The invention enables accurate and reliable monitoring of a vehicle steering system without requiring a mechanical steering angle sensor, and in certain embodiments also allows reliable communication of data to or from a moving part of the vehicle steering system without requiring a direct wired connection to the moving part.
It will be appreciated that the rotating part of the vehicle steering system is a part of the steering system that is adapted to rotate during steering operations, but that the rotating part is not required to be constantly rotating, for example when no steering operation is being performed. The rotating part may be a steering wheel. One of the transmitter and the receiving system may be mounted directly to the steering wheel, or alternatively may be mounted via another component or system that is fixed with respect to the steering wheel, such as a dial element. The one of the transmitting system and the receiving system that is not mounted to the rotating part may be arranged to remain fixed during steering operations. The fixed transmitting system or receiving system may, for example, be mounted to a steering column housing. The steering column housing may include one or more apertures to enable communication between the transmitting system and the receiving system and/or additional shrouding to contain the wireless signals.
The transmitting system may include only a single transmitter, or alternatively a plurality of transmitters, which may be spaced apart about an axis of rotation of the rotating part.
The determination of the steering angle is possible due to variations in the amplitude of the wireless signals received at the receiving system as the transmitting system and the receiving system move relative to each other during steering operations, for example by relative rotation. Variations in the received signal strength may be due to changes in the distance between one or more transmitters and the receiving system and/or due to filtering of the signals by a filter element, as described below. The wireless control system may be calibrated to take account of variations in the received signal strength due to both filtering of the signals by a filter element and changes in the distance between one or more transmitters and the receiving system.
The wireless control system may further comprise a filter element at an intermediate location between the transmitting system and the receiving system, the filter element being adapted to filter the wireless signals emitted by the transmitting system before receipt at the receiving system to vary the attenuation of signals as the rotating part is rotated during steering operations. In this way, the filter element may increase the progressive variation in the received amplitude of the wireless signals used in determining the steering angle as the rotating part is rotated during steering operations. This increased variation may improve the accuracy of the steering angle determination. The variation in attenuation may be generated due to a variation in at least one property of the filter element across its extent, such thickness, transparency, optical density and/or polarising effect. The variation of the at least one property may be continuous. Alternatively, the variation of the at least one property may be stepped, for example progressively varying over a large number of steps such as at least 100 steps. A larger number of steps may be used to improve resolution, for example 360 steps or 3600 steps.
The filter element may comprise at least one of a neutral density filter and a polarising filter. In the case of a polarising filter, the filter element may be arranged to vary the range of angles of polarisation that are permitted to pass there-through across its extent. In this way the filter element may vary the amplitude of the signals used to determine the steering angle of the vehicle steering system before receipt as the rotating part is rotated during steering operations. Alternatively the filter element may simply have a varying transparency, optical density and/or thickness across its extent, in which case the filter element does not need to comprise a polarising filter.
The filter element may be arranged to remain fixed during steering operations. The filter element may, for example, be mounted to a steering column housing. Alternatively the filter element may be arranged to rotate during steering operations. In this case the filter element may be mounted to a rotating part of the vehicles steering system, for example the rotating part to which the one of the transmitting system and the receiving system is mounted.
The filter element may be generally annular. For example, the filter element may comprise an annular disk. The filter element may be arranged circumferentially around a rotating part of the vehicle steering system, such as a rotating shaft within a steering column housing.
The one of the transmitter and the receiving system that is not mounted to the rotating part may be arranged to remain fixed during steering operations. As mentioned above, the wireless control system may further be arranged to transmit data to or from the rotating part using wireless signals, for example electromagnetic radiation signals, emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system. The data transmitted to or from the rotating part may be in the form of digital data carried by the wireless signals. It will be appreciated that the data transferred to or from the rotating part is not restricted to the steering angle but instead comprises other data (although a steering angle may be transmitted as part of a data stream).
The wireless control system may be arranged to transmit a) data relating to the operation of one or more control elements and/or b) data containing information to be displayed to a user by one or more display elements. In this way, the wireless control system may be able to send a command signal from a steering wheel to a vehicle control system located outside the steering wheel in response to a user operating a control element on the steering wheel, for example a horn control, a heating/air conditioning system control, a stereo system volume control or a driving mode selection control. Alternatively, or in addition, the wireless control system may be able to send information to be displayed to a user on a steering wheel-mounted display element from a vehicle control system located outside the steering wheel to the steering wheel. The information may, for example, comprise video data or other data to be displayed on a display screen or a command signal to activate a warning light. Alternatively, or in addition, the wireless control system may be arranged to transmit other types of data.
The transmitting system may comprise a common transmitter that is operable to emit wireless signals, for example electromagnetic radiation signals, containing data to be transmitted to or from the rotating part, and for use in determining the steering angle.
The wireless control system may be arranged to use the same wireless signals for transmitting data to or from the rotating part and in determining the steering angle. In this case, the same wireless signals may serve both as a data-carrying signals (for transmitting data to or from the rotating part) and as measurement signals (which may be used to determine the steering angle). For example, the steering angle may be determined in dependence on the received amplitude of wireless data-carrying signals.
Alternatively, or in addition, the wireless control system may be arranged to use separate measurement signals (that do not carry additional data to be transmitted to or from the rotating part) in determining the steering angle. In this case, data-carrying signals may be emitted for transmitting data to or from the rotating part, and separate measurement signals (that do not carry additional data to be transmitted to or from the rotating part) may be emitted for use in determining the steering angle. The transmitting system may be arranged to alternate between emitting data carrying signals (in a data transfer mode) and emitting separate measurement signals (in a measurement only mode). A wireless control system that is arranged to use the same wireless signals for transmitting data to or from the rotating part and in determining the steering angle may be arranged to use separate measurement signals to determine the steering angle during time periods in which no data-carrying signals are being emitted (for example when no data is being transferred).
The receiving system may comprise a common receiver that is operable to receive wireless signals emitted by the transmitting system to enable the transmission of data to or from the rotating part, and to enable the determination of the steering angle. In this case only one receiver needs to be employed in the receiving system. However, the receiving system may comprise multiple common receivers spaced apart about an axis of rotation of the rotating part, for example to receive wireless signals emitted by the transmitter at different steering angles. As described above, the data carrying signals and the signals used in determining the steering angle may be the same or alternatively separate signals.
Alternatively, the wireless control system may comprise a receiver for receiving wireless signals emitted by the transmitter to enable the transmission of data to or from the rotating part, and a separate measurement receiver for receiving wireless signals emitted by the transmitter to enable the determination of the steering angle. In this case only one receiver for enabling the transmission of data and one receiver for enabling the determination of the steering angle need to be employed in the receiving system. However, the receiving system may comprise multiple receivers for enabling the transmission of data spaced apart about an axis of rotation of the rotating part and/or multiple receivers for enabling the determination of the steering angle spaced apart about an axis of rotation of the rotating part, for example to receive wireless signals emitted by the transmitter at different steering angles. Again, the data-carrying signals and the signals used in determining the steering angle may be the same or alternatively separate signals.
The receiving system may comprise a signal collector or diffusion element for collecting wireless signals emitted by the transmitter(s) and channelling the wireless signals to the receiver(s). In this way the signal collector or diffusion element may act to reduce or at least substantially eliminate variations in the received signal strength that may occur due to differences in the distance between the transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) as the rotating part is rotated during steering operations. In this case variations in the received signal strength may still be generated due to filtering of the signals by a filter element, as described below.
The wireless control system may comprise first and second transmitting systems and first and second receiving systems, wherein the first transmitting system is mounted to the rotating part and arranged to move relative to the first receiving system during steering operations, wherein the first receiving system is arranged to receive wireless signals emitted by the first transmitting system, wherein the second receiving system is mounted to the rotating part and arranged to move relative to the second transmitting system during steering operations, and wherein the second receiving system is arranged to receive wireless signals emitted by the second transmitting system. The wireless control system may be arranged to transmit data from the rotating part using wireless signals emitted by the first transmitting system and received at the first receiving system and/or to determine the steering angle in dependence on wireless signals emitted by the first transmitting system and received at the first receiving system. The wireless control system may be arranged to transmit data to the rotating part using wireless signals emitted by the second transmitting system and received at the second receiving system and/or to determine the steering angle in dependence on wireless signals emitted by the second transmitting system and received at the second receiving system. The first receiving system and the second transmitting system are preferably arranged to remain fixed during steering operations, for example by being mounted to the steering column housing. Any of the features described above in relation to the transmitting system of the first aspect of the invention may equally apply to one or both of the first and second transmitting system. Any of the features described above in relation to the receiving system of the first aspect of the invention may equally apply to one or both of the first and second receiving systems.
Where the wireless control system comprises first and second transmitting systems and first and second receiving systems, the wireless control system may be arranged to make a second determination of the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on wireless signals emitted by the second transmitting system, for example in dependence on the received amplitude of wireless signals emitted by the second transmitting system. The wireless control system may further be arranged to compare the determined steering angle with the second determination of the steering angle, and optionally to provide an output indicative of a discrepancy between the determined steering angle and the second determination of the steering angle.
Comparing the determined steering angle with the second determination of the steering angle is beneficial in that the accuracy of the steering system may be improved. Alternatively, or in addition, the second determination of the steering angle may be used for error checking against the first determined steering angle.
The wireless signals may have a frequency in the range 300GHz to 430THz, or 430THz to 750THz, or 750THz to 30PHz. The wireless signals may be optical signals. The optical signals may, for example, be infrared signals, or visible light signals, or ultraviolet light signals. Where the wireless control system comprises more than one transmitter (for example where the wireless control system comprises first and second transmitting systems as described above), the transmitters may be arranged to emit signals at different frequencies, which may help to minimise interference. The transmitter(s) may be light emitting diodes, and the receiver(s) may be infrared sensors or (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) CMOS sensors.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a steering system including a wireless control system as described above. The vehicle may be a car.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a control module that is arranged to receive electronic signals containing data to be transmitted to or from a rotating part of a vehicle steering system, wherein the control module is further arranged to determine the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the amplitude of the received data-carrying electronic signals. The control module may be adapted for use in a wireless control system as described above. A wireless control system as described above may comprise two of the control modules, for example a first control module comprised in a rotating part of the vehicle steering system (such as a steering wheel) and a second control module comprised in a part of a vehicle other than a rotating part of the vehicle steering system.
The control module may be arranged to be comprised in a rotating part of the vehicle steering system, such as a steering wheel, in which case the control module may be arranged to receive the electronic signals from a wireless receiver mounted to a rotating part of the vehicle steering system. Alternatively, the control module may be arranged to be comprised in a part of a vehicle other than a rotating part of the vehicle steering system, in which case the control module may be arranged to receive the electronic signals from a fixed wireless receiver.
The control module may be arranged to receive electronic signals containing data relating to the operation of one or more control elements and/or data containing information to be displayed to a user by one or more display elements. Electronic signals containing data relating to the operation of one or more control elements may, for example, comprise command signals related to the operation of one or more steering wheel mounted control elements.
Where the control module is arranged to be comprised in a rotating part of the vehicle steering system, such as a steering wheel, the control module may be arranged to use the determined steering angle to determine the correct orientation of an image, video or animation to be displayed to a user. In this way, the control module may ensure that an image, video or animation displayed on the rotating part is presented at least substantially in the desired orientation as the rotating part is rotated.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a vehicle steering system, the method comprising: emitting wireless signals, for example electromagnetic radiation signals, using a transmitting system and receiving the emitted wireless signals at a receiving system, wherein one of the transmitting system and the receiving system is mounted to a rotating part of the vehicle steering system and arranged to move relative to the other one of the transmitting system and the receiving system during steering operations; and determining the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the received amplitude of electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system. The method may further comprise using wireless signals emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system to transmit data to or from the rotating part, although this is not required in all embodiments.
The method may be used in operating a wireless control system as described above, and may include any steps associated with the normal operation of a wireless control system including any of the features described above. For example, the method may comprise determining the steering angle in dependence on the received amplitude of wireless signals emitted by the transmitter and received at the receiving system, and may comprise using the same wireless signals to transmit data and in determining the steering angle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for a computer processor to carry out the method described in a foregoing aspect of the invention.
Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle including a wireless control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 schematically illustrates a portion of a vehicle steering system including a wireless control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 schematically illustrates a wireless control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates wireless signals used to communicate data according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 schematically illustrates an alternative wireless control systems in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 6 illustrates a simplified version of the filter element that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 1. The vehicle comprises a steering system 2 including a steering wheel 3 mounted to a steering column housing 4, as schematically illustrated in Figure 2. The steering wheel comprises a plurality of control elements 5 including, for example, a horn control, a heating/air conditioning system control, a stereo system control, and a driving mode selection control. The steering wheel 3 further comprises a plurality of display elements including, for example, a display screen 6 and a plurality of warning lights 7. It will be understood that these control elements and display elements are merely described hereinbefore by way of examples, and that different control elements and different display elements may be present in other embodiments.
The steering system 2 is provided with a wireless control system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless control system 10 includes a first transmitting system comprising a first transmitter 11 mounted to the steering wheel 3, and a first receiving system comprising a first receiver 12 mounted to the steering column 4. The first transmitter 11 is arranged to rotate together with the steering wheel 3 during steering operations. The first receiver 12 is fixed and does not rotate together with the steering wheel 3 during steering operations (although it may move together with the steering column during adjustment of the driving position). The wireless control system further includes a second receiving system comprising a second receiver 13 mounted to the steering wheel 3 (and arranged to rotate together with the steering wheel), and a second transmitting system comprising a second transmitter 14 mounted to the steering column 4 (that does not rotate together with the steering wheel during steering operations). The first transmitter 11 and the second receiver 13 are connected to a steering wheel side processor or control module 15 located in the steering wheel 3 via wired connections, as schematically illustrated in Figure 3. The first receiver 12 and the second transmitter 14 are connected to a vehicle side processor or control module 16 (located outside the steering wheel 3) via wired connections, as schematically illustrated in Figure 3.
The first and second transmitters 11, 14 each comprise a light emitting diode configured to emit infra-red (IR) signals wirelessly, and the first and second receivers 12, 13 each comprise an IR receiver arranged to receive wirelessly transmitted IR signals. The first and second transmitters 11,14 are each arranged to emit IR signals with mixed (random) polarisation, and are arranged to emit IR signals at different frequencies in order to minimise interference.
The first transmitter 11 is arranged to receive electronic signals containing digital data from the steering wheel side control module 15, and to wirelessly emit IR signals containing the digital data in dependence on the received electronic signals. The first receiver 12 is arranged to receive the IR signals emitted by the first transmitter 11, and to output electronic signals to the vehicle side control module 16 in dependence on the received IR signals. In this way, the wireless control system 10 allows data to be transmitted from the steering wheel 3 to one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel without requiring a direct wired connection.
The wireless control system 10 is arranged to transmit data relating to the operation of one or more of the control elements 5 from the steering wheel 3 to one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel using the first transmitter 11 and the first receiver 12. For example, when a user operates one of the control elements 5, the steering wheel side control module 15 outputs an electronic command signal to the first transmitter 11 in dependence on the command entered by the user. The first transmitter 11 then wirelessly emits an IR signal in dependence on the received electronic command signal. The first receiver 12 receives the IR signal emitted by the first transmitter 11, and outputs an electronic command signal in dependence on the received IR signal to the vehicle side control module 16. In this way the wireless control system 10 enables the transmission of data relating to the operation of one or more of the control elements 5 from the steering wheel 3. It will be understood that other types of data may also be transmitted from the steering wheel 3 in a similar manner.
Similarly, the second transmitter 14 is arranged to receive electronic signals containing digital data from the vehicle side control module 16, and to wirelessly emit IR signals containing the digital data in dependence on the received electronic signals. The second receiver 13 is arranged to receive the IR signals emitted by the second transmitter 14, and to output electronic signals to the steering wheel side control module 15 in dependence on the received IR signals. In this way, the wireless control system 10 also allows data to be transmitted from one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel to the steering wheel 3 without requiring a direct wired connection.
The wireless control system 10 is arranged to transmit data containing information to be displayed to a user on one or more of the display elements 6, 7 from one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel to the steering wheel using the second transmitter 14 and the second receiver 13. For example, the vehicle side control module 16 may output an electronic signal containing information to be displayed to a user (for example video data to be displayed on the display screen or a command signal to activate one of the warning lights) to the second transmitter 14. The second transmitter 14 then wirelessly emits an IR signal in dependence on the received electronic signal. The second receiver 13 receives the IR signal emitted by the second transmitter 14, and outputs an electronic signal in dependence on the received IR signal to the steering wheel side control module 15. The steering wheel side control module 15 then controls the display screen 6 or warning light 7 in dependence on the received electronic signal. In this way the wireless control system 10 enables the transmission of data containing information to be displayed to a user to the steering wheel 3. It will be understood that other types of data may also be transmitted to the steering wheel 3 in a similar manner.
The wireless control system 10 further comprises a filter element 20. The filter element 20 is located between the first transmitter 11 and the first receiver 12 and between the second transmitter 14 and the second receiver 13 so as to filter signals emitted by the first transmitter 11 before receipt at the first receiver 12 and to filter signals emitted by the second transmitter 14 before receipt at the second receiver 13. The filter element 20 comprises an annular disk that is positioned within the steering column 4 and surrounds a rotating shaft within the steering column. The filter element 20 is mounted to the steering column 4 and does not rotate together with the steering wheel 3 during steering operations. The filter element comprises regions having varying optical density that provide continuously varying optical attenuation across its extent to allow different proportions of the IR signals to pass there-through at different points around the filter element. The varying optical density may be provided by arranging areas having different optical opacity (i.e. the degree to which light is not allowed to travel through the filter) at successive spatial regions on the filter element. One such filter may be a round I circular, continuously-variable, neutral density filter. Other types of filters may also be suitable.
In one arrangement the filter element 20 comprises a polarising filter that provides continuously varying optical filtering across its extent to allow different ranges of angles of polarisation to pass there-through at different points around the filter element. For example, at one extent the filter may allow substantially all polarisation angles to pass there-through (i.e. substantially transparent to all of the randomly polarised IR signals), at another extent the filter may allow only some polarisation angles to pass there-through, and at another extent the filter may allow no polarisation angles to pass there-through (i.e. substantially opaque to all of the randomly polarised IR signals). A simplified version of the filter element 20 (illustrating stepped filtering instead of continuously variable filtering) is shown in Figure 6.
Wireless signals emitted by the first and second transmitters 11, 14 are attenuated by the filter element 20 before arrival at the first and second receivers 12, 13. Each of the first and second transmitters 11, 14 is arranged to emit wireless signals at a fixed, predetermined amplitude. However, due to the variation in optical filtering across the extent of the filter element 20, the degree of attenuation of the signals emitted by the first and second transmitters 11,14 before receipt at the first and second receivers 12, 13 varies in dependence on the position of the transmitters relative to the filter element and the receivers as the steering wheel rotates during steering operations. (The degree of attenuation is also affected by variations in the distance between the transmitters 11, 14 and the receivers 12, 13 as the first transmitter 11 and the second receiver 13 rotate together with the steering wheel during steering operations.) In this way, the amplitude of the signals received at the first and second receivers 12, 13 progressively varies directly in dependence on the steering angle (although the digital data carried by the signals remains unchanged). Figure 4 illustrates the same wireless signal (carrying the same digital data) as received at the first receiver (or the second receiver) at two different steering angles, with each signal having a different amplitude due to different degrees of attenuation at the different steering angles, but with each signal carrying the same unchanged digital data.
As described above, the first receiver 12 is arranged to output electronic data-carrying signals to the vehicle side control module 16 in dependence on the wireless data-carrying signals received from the first transmitter 11 to enable the transmission of data from the steering wheel. The first receiver 12 is further arranged to output the electronic data-carrying signals with an amplitude that is dependent on the amplitude of the received wireless data-carrying signals. The vehicle side control module 16 is arranged to determine the steering angle in dependence on the amplitude of the received electronic signals. The vehicle side control module 16 is calibrated to take account of variations in the received signal strength due to both the filtering of the wireless signals and changes in the distance between the first transmitter 11 and the first receiver 12. The wireless control system 10 therefore allows determination of the steering angle of the vehicle steering system 2 in dependence on the progressively varying amplitude of the wireless signals as received at the first receiver 12 without requiring a mechanical steering angle sensor. The steering angle may be determined with a high degree of accuracy, for example to within +/- 1 degree or less, and the determined steering angle may be used by any vehicle system requiring knowledge of the steering angle, for example, including but not limited to, an electric power steering (EPS) system, an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), a dynamic headlight system, Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Stability Control (ASC), ora body control module.
Similarly, the second transmitter 14, second receiver 13 and steering wheel side control module 15 are also arranged to determine the steering angle in the same manner, thereby providing a second reading of the steering angle. (The steering wheel side control module 15 is also calibrated to take account of variations in the received signal strength due to both the filtering of the wireless signals and changes in the distance between the second transmitter 14 and the second receiver 13.) This second reading of the steering angle may be used in the steering wheel 3 and/or communicated to one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel using data-carrying signals emitted by the first transmitter 11 and received at the first receiver 12. The second reading of the steering angle may be used for error checking against the first reading of the steering angle.
In the steering angle determination described above, the same wireless signals are used both for transmitting data to and from the steering wheel 3 and in determining the steering angle, the steering angle being determined in dependence on the received amplitude of the wireless data-carrying signals. However, the wireless control system 10 is also arranged to determine the steering angle when no data is being transmitted by emitting separate measurement signals (that are not used to transmit data) from the first and second transmitters 11, 14 and measuring the received amplitude of the measurement signals at the first and second receivers 12, 13.
In the above-described embodiment, the same wireless signals are used for transmitting data to and from the steering wheel and in determining the steering angle (at least while data is being transmitted). However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the wireless control system 10 may instead use separate wireless signals for transmitting data and in determining the steering angle. For example, the first and/or second transmitter 11, 14 may alternate between emitting data-carrying signals (which are used only for transmitting data) and emitting measurement signals (which are used only in determining the steering angle and which do not carry additional data).
In the above-described embodiment, the first and second receivers 12, 13 are each arranged to receive data-carrying signals to enable the transmission of data to or from the steering wheel 3 and also to measure the amplitude of received signals (which may be data carrying signals or alternatively separate measurement signals) to enable determination of the steering angle. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, separate receivers may be used to receive data-carrying signals to enable the transmission of data to or from the steering wheel and to measure the amplitude of received signals (which may be data carrying signals or alternatively separate measurement signals) to enable determination of the steering angle. For example, Figure 5 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment in which each receiving system comprises two separate receivers. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the first receiving system includes a first receiver 12 for receiving wireless signals from the first transmitter 11 to enable the transmission of data from the steering wheel, and a separate receiver 12a for measuring the amplitude of the received signals from the first transmitter 11 to enable the steering angle to be determined. Similarly, the second receiving system includes a second receiver 13 for receiving wireless signals from the second transmitter 14 to enable the transmission of data to the steering wheel, and a separate receiver 13a for measuring the amplitude of the received signals from the second transmitter to enable the steering angle to be determined. (In this case the first and second receivers 12, 13 are not required to be capable of measuring the amplitude of received wireless signals and outputting electronic signals having an amplitude that is dependent on the amplitude of the received wireless signals, but are instead only required to receive and output digital data.)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless control system comprises first and second transmitters 11, 14 and first and second receivers 12, 13 in order to enable two-way communication of data between the steering wheel 3 and control systems located outside the steering wheel. However, in other possible embodiments of the present invention, the wireless control system 10 may be arranged to transmit data only in one direction. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the wireless control system 10 may include only the first transmitter 11 and the first receiver 12, with the second transmitter 14 and the second receiver 13 being omitted. In this case the wireless control system 10 is capable of transmitting data from the steering wheel 3 as described above in relation to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, but cannot transmit data to the steering wheel.
In the above-described embodiments, the wireless control systems are arranged to transmit data to and/or from a rotating part of a vehicle steering system as well as determining the steering angle in dependence on the received amplitude of wireless signals. However, in other possible embodiments of the present invention, the wireless control system may instead be arranged only to determine the steering angle, and may not be arranged to transmit data to or from any rotating part of the steering system.
Whereas the above-described embodiments include a filter element 20 arranged to attenuate the wireless signals in dependence on the steering angle, in another embodiment the filter element 20 may be omitted. In this embodiment the steering angle is still determined in dependence on the amplitude or magnitude of the wireless signals received at the first receiver 12 and I or at the second receiver 13, however the degree of attenuation is due exclusively to the variations in the distance between the transmitters 11, 14 and the receivers 12, 13 as the first transmitter 11 and the second receiver 13 rotate together with the steering wheel during steering operations. In other words, it is the variations in said distance caused by the angular misalignment of the transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) as the steering wheel is rotated which give rise to the attenuation of the wireless signals.
In common with the earlier embodiments, each of the first and second transmitters 11, 14 is arranged to emit wireless signals at a fixed, predetermined amplitude. In this way, the amplitude of the signals received at the first and second receivers 12, 13 varies in dependence on the steering angle (although the digital data carried by the signals remains unchanged). Figure 4 is equally applicable to this embodiment of the invention and illustrates the same wireless signal (carrying the same digital data) as received at the first receiver (or the second receiver) at two different steering angles, with each signal having a different amplitude due to different degrees of attenuation at the different steering angles, but with each signal carrying the same unchanged digital data.
As described above, the first receiver 12 is arranged to output electronic data-carrying signals to the vehicle side control module 16 in dependence on the wireless data-carrying signals received from the first transmitter 11 to enable the transmission of data from the steering wheel. The first receiver 12 is further arranged to output the electronic data-carrying signals with an amplitude that is dependent on the amplitude of the received wireless data-carrying signals. The vehicle side control module 16 is arranged to determine the steering angle in dependence on the amplitude of the received electronic signals. The vehicle side control module 16 is calibrated to take account of variations in the received signal strength due solely to changes in the distance between the first transmitter 11 and the first receiver 12. The wireless control system 10 therefore allows determination of the steering angle of the vehicle steering system 2 in dependence on the amplitude of the wireless signals as received at the first receiver 12 without requiring a mechanical steering angle sensor.
Similarly, the second transmitter 14, second receiver 13 and steering wheel side control module 15 are also arranged to determine the steering angle in the same manner, thereby providing a second reading of the steering angle. The steering wheel side control module 15 is calibrated to take account of variations in the received signal strength due solely to the filtering of the wireless signals and changes in the distance between the second transmitter 14 and the second receiver 13.
As in the earlier embodiments, this second reading of the steering angle may be used in the steering wheel 3 and/or communicated to one or more control systems located outside the steering wheel using data-carrying signals emitted by the first transmitter 11 and received at the first receiver 12. The second reading of the steering angle may be used for error checking against the first reading of the steering angle.
Many modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (12)
1. A wireless control system for a vehicle steering system, the wireless control system comprising a transmitting system and a receiving system, wherein one of the transmitting system and the receiving system is mounted to a rotating part of the vehicle steering system and arranged to move relative to the other one of the transmitting system and the receiving system during steering operations; wherein the wireless control system is arranged to determine the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the received amplitude of electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system.
2. A wireless control system according to claim 1, further comprising a filter element at an intermediate location between the transmitting system and the receiving system, the filter element being adapted to filter the electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the transmitting system before receipt at the receiving system to vary the attenuation of signals as the rotating part is rotated during steering operations.
3. A wireless control system according to claim 2, wherein the filter element comprises at least one of a neutral density filter and a polarising filter.
4. A wireless control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the filter element is arranged to remain fixed during steering operations.
5. A wireless control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the one of the transmitting system and the receiving system that is not mounted to the rotating part is arranged to remain fixed during steering operations.
6. A wireless control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the wireless control system comprises first and second transmitting systems and first and second receiving systems, wherein the first transmitting system is mounted to the rotating part and arranged to move relative to the first receiving system during steering operations, wherein the first receiving system is arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the first transmitting system, wherein the second receiving system is mounted to the rotating part and arranged to move relative to the second transmitting system during steering operations, and wherein the second receiving system is arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the second transmitting system.
7. A wireless control system according to claim 6, wherein the wireless control system is arranged to make a second determination of the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the second transmitting system and received at the second receiving system, and to compare the determined steering angle with the second determination of the steering angle.
8. A wireless control system according to claim 7 arranged to provide an output indicative of a discrepancy between the determined steering angle and the second determination of the steering angle.
9. A vehicle comprising a steering system provided with a wireless control system according to any preceding claim.
10. A control module for use in a system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control module is arranged to receive electronic signals containing data to be transmitted to or from a rotating part of a vehicle steering system, wherein the control module is further arranged to determine the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the amplitude of the received data-carrying electronic signals.
11. A method of operating a vehicle steering system the method comprising: emitting electromagnetic radiation signals using a transmitting system and receiving the emitted electromagnetic radiation signals at a receiving system, wherein one of the transmitting system and the receiving system is mounted to a rotating part of the vehicle steering system and arranged to move relative to the other one of the transmitting system and the receiving system during steering operations; and determining the steering angle of the vehicle steering system in dependence on the received amplitude of electromagnetic radiation signals emitted by the transmitting system and received at the receiving system.
12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for a computer processor to carry out the method of claim 11.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1608520.1A GB2550350B (en) | 2016-05-16 | 2016-05-16 | Wireless control system for a vehicle |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201707653D0 GB201707653D0 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
| GB2551440A GB2551440A (en) | 2017-12-20 |
| GB2551440B true GB2551440B (en) | 2019-08-28 |
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Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1608520.1A Active GB2550350B (en) | 2016-05-16 | 2016-05-16 | Wireless control system for a vehicle |
| GB1707653.0A Active GB2551440B (en) | 2016-05-16 | 2017-05-12 | Wireless control system for a vehicle |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1608520.1A Active GB2550350B (en) | 2016-05-16 | 2016-05-16 | Wireless control system for a vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB2550350B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113928404A (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2022-01-14 | 北京新能源汽车股份有限公司 | Control circuit of steering wheel and electric automobile |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS62218250A (en) * | 1986-03-19 | 1987-09-25 | Mazda Motor Corp | Steering switch signal transmitter |
| JPH11185917A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-07-09 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Rotary connector with angle detection function |
| US20050104451A1 (en) * | 2002-02-20 | 2005-05-19 | Georg Poslowsky | Steering device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5741231A (en) * | 1980-08-21 | 1982-03-08 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Multiplex signal transmission system for automobile |
| DE19607028C1 (en) * | 1996-02-24 | 1997-08-21 | Daimler Benz Ag | Steering for non-track-bound vehicles |
| DE19946934B4 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2011-09-29 | Ramsle Technology Group Gmbh, Llc | Module with angle sensors, non-contact energy transmission and contactless information transmission |
| US6678594B2 (en) * | 2001-02-02 | 2004-01-13 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | User-configurable steering control for steer-by-wire systems |
| CN104228937B (en) * | 2014-08-26 | 2017-02-01 | 苏州市职业大学 | Dual-mode control electronic power steering system for industrial vehicle |
-
2016
- 2016-05-16 GB GB1608520.1A patent/GB2550350B/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-05-12 GB GB1707653.0A patent/GB2551440B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS62218250A (en) * | 1986-03-19 | 1987-09-25 | Mazda Motor Corp | Steering switch signal transmitter |
| JPH11185917A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-07-09 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Rotary connector with angle detection function |
| US20050104451A1 (en) * | 2002-02-20 | 2005-05-19 | Georg Poslowsky | Steering device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2551440A (en) | 2017-12-20 |
| GB201707653D0 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
| GB201608520D0 (en) | 2016-06-29 |
| GB2550350A (en) | 2017-11-22 |
| GB2550350B (en) | 2019-10-09 |
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