JP2005145141A - Power steering control device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power steering control device of a vehicle capable of increasing steering stability and steering feeling. <P>SOLUTION: This power steering control device 7 of the vehicle comprises right and left motors 3B and 3A capable of rotatingly driving right and left steering wheels WB and WA independently of each other. The control device also comprises a steering assist force set means for setting a steering assist force based on at least steering torque and vehicle speed, an added damping force set means for setting an added damping force added to a steering system S based on at least one of steering angular velocity and steering torque, and a drive control means for controlling the driving of the right and left motors 3B and 3A for generating the added damping force set by the added damping force set means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power steering control device for a vehicle including left and right motors capable of rotating left and right steering wheels independently of each other.

In recent years, in order to assist the steering of the driver, a power steering device is equipped in most vehicles. There are hydraulic and electric power steering devices. In the case of the electric type, since the steering assist force is generated by the motor, the inertia of the motor acts on the steering system. Therefore, in the vehicle, the inertia of the steering system is increased by the inertia of the motor, and particularly, the steering stability is lowered at a high vehicle speed. Therefore, in order to prevent this deterioration in steering stability, some electric power steering devices add a damping force to the inertia of the motor (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-8837

  However, since the electric power steering apparatus is disposed at a position relatively close to the steering wheel, it affects the steering feeling of the driver. Therefore, when a damping force is applied by the electric power steering device, the driver receives a feeling of viscosity via the steering wheel, and the steering feeling is lowered.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power steering control device for a vehicle that improves steering stability and steering feeling.

  A power steering control device for a vehicle according to the present invention is a power steering control device for a vehicle including left and right motors capable of rotating the left and right steering wheels independently of each other, at least for steering torque and vehicle speed. Steering assist force setting means for setting a steering assist force based on the above, additional damping force setting means for setting an additional damping force to be added to the steering system based on at least one of the vehicle speed, the steering angular speed, and the steering torque, and additional damping Drive control means for controlling the drive of the left and right motors in order to generate the additional damping force set by the force setting means.

  In this vehicle power steering control device, the steering assist force is set by the steering assist force setting means based on the steering torque and the vehicle speed, and control is performed to generate the set steering assist force. In the steering system, steering stability is lowered due to insufficient damping with respect to inertia, or a viscous feeling appears through the steering wheel due to excessive damping with respect to inertia. Therefore, in this control apparatus, the additional damping force is set by the additional damping force setting means based on at least one of the vehicle speed, the steering angular velocity, and the steering torque. In the control device, the drive control means controls the driving of the left and right motors in order to generate this additional damping force, and adds the additional damping force to the steering system by the driving force of the left and right steering wheels. At this time, the control device generates an additional damping force that increases the damping when the damping is insufficient, and generates an additional damping force that reduces the damping when the damping is excessive. Adjust to the appropriate damping force. Therefore, in the case of insufficient damping, appropriate damping acts on the inertia of the steering system due to the additional damping force, and the steering stability is ensured. In the case of excessive damping, the damping force decreases due to the additional damping force, The feeling of viscosity experienced by the driver is suppressed. In particular, since this additional damping force is generated on the left and right steering wheels farthest from the steering wheel, the additional damping force is smoothed as it travels through the steering system. Is done. Therefore, in this control device, the steering stability and the steering feeling can be improved.

  In the vehicle power steering control device according to the present invention, the steering assist force may be generated by a steering assist force generating means mounted on the vehicle body side.

  In this vehicle power steering control device, in order to generate the steering assist force set by the steering assist force setting means, the steering assist force generation means mounted on the vehicle body side is controlled. As this steering assist force generating means, there are electric and hydraulic power steering devices.

  In the vehicle power steering control device according to the present invention, the additional damping force setting means sets the additional damping force for reducing the damping force in the steering system in a region where the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed is the predetermined vehicle speed. In a higher region, it is preferable to set an additional damping force for increasing the damping force in the steering system.

  In this vehicle power steering control device, the vehicle speed is compared with a predetermined speed by the additional damping force setting means. And when the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined speed, the steering system is excessively damped with respect to inertia, so the control device sets an additional damping force for reducing the damping by the additional damping force setting means, The left and right motors reduce steering damping. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined speed, the steering system is in a state where the damping is insufficient with respect to the inertia. Therefore, the control device sets the additional damping force for increasing the damping by the additional damping force setting means, The damping of the steering system is increased by the left and right motors. As described above, the control device can add an appropriate additional damping force to the steering system by recognizing the damping state in the steering system based on the vehicle speed.

  The predetermined speed is a vehicle speed indicating a boundary between an excessive attenuation state and an insufficient attenuation state in the steering system, and is set by a vehicle experiment, a simulation, or the like.

  In the vehicle power steering control device according to the present invention, the additional damping force is generated by controlling the difference between the driving forces of the left and right motors.

  In this power steering control device for a vehicle, the difference between the driving forces of the left and right motors (that is, the difference in motor rotation speed) required for generating the additional damping force by the driving control means is obtained, and the driving force difference is generated. Thus, the left and right motors are respectively controlled.

  In the vehicle power steering control device according to the present invention, the left and right steering wheels are provided with kingpin offsets.

  In this vehicle power steering control device, the left and right steered wheels are provided with kingpin offsets, so that different turning driving forces are transmitted to the left and right steered wheels by the left and right motors, thereby generating a turning force in the vehicle. An additional damping force can be generated.

  According to the present invention, the steering stability and the steering feeling can be improved by controlling the motors that rotationally drive the left and right steering wheels to generate the additional damping force.

  Embodiments of a power steering control device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the power steering control device for a vehicle according to the present invention is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the power steering device in an electric four-wheel drive vehicle in which an in-wheel motor is incorporated in each of the four wheels. Apply. The power steering device according to the present embodiment includes an electric power steering device and two in-wheel motors incorporated in the steering wheel, generates a steering assist force by the electric power steering device, and is added by the in-wheel motor of the steering wheel. Generate a damping force. The ECU according to the present embodiment functions as a control device for a power steering device and also functions as a driving force control device for a vehicle using an in-wheel motor.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the structure of the power steering apparatus 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power steering apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the left steering wheel of FIG. FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the ECU of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a steering torque (imaginary part) characteristic with respect to the vehicle speed when the steering wheel is steered.

  The power steering device 1 generates a steering assist torque (steering assist force) in accordance with the steering by the driver in order to assist the steering by the driver. Further, the power steering device 1 generates additional damping torque (additional damping force) in order to improve the steering stability and steering feeling when the steering assist torque is generated. For this purpose, the power steering apparatus 1 mainly includes an electric power steering apparatus 2, in-wheel motors 3A and 3B of steering wheels (front wheels) WA and WB, wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D, a steering torque sensor 5, and a steering angle sensor 6. And the ECU 7 are disposed in the steering system S, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the electric power steering device 2 corresponds to the steering assist force generating means described in the claims, and the ECU 7 corresponds to the power steering control device described in the claims.

  In the steering system S, a steering gear box SG is connected to the steering wheel SW via a steering shaft SS. The steering gear box SG includes a rack and pinion mechanism, and a pinion P is attached to the tip of the steering shaft SS, and tie rods TA and TB are attached to both ends of the rack R, respectively. Further, in the steering system S, left and right steering wheels WA, WB are connected to both ends of the steering gear box SG via tie rods TA, TB, respectively. In the steering system S, the electric power steering device 2 is disposed on the steering shaft SS, and the steering torque sensor 5 and the steering angle sensor 6 are disposed on the steering shaft SS.

  In-wheel motors 3A and 3B are respectively disposed in the wheels H of the steering wheels WA and WB (see FIG. 2). Further, in-wheel motors 3C and 3D are respectively disposed in the rear wheels WC and ED. Further, wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D are respectively disposed on the wheels WA to WD.

  The electric power steering device 2 mainly includes an electric motor (not shown), a motor drive circuit (not shown), and a speed reducer (not shown). A reduction gear is attached to an intermediate portion of the steering shaft SS, and an output shaft of an electric motor is connected to the reduction gear. In the electric power steering device 2, when the power steering motor drive signal PS is transmitted from the ECU 7 to the motor drive circuit, a current corresponding to the power steering motor drive signal PS is supplied from the motor drive circuit to the electric motor. In the electric power steering apparatus 2, the rotational driving force of the electric motor driven by the supplied current is transmitted to the steering shaft SS via the speed reducer.

  The in-wheel motors 3A to 3D are motors that generate rotational driving forces in the wheels WA to WD, respectively. When the in-wheel motor driving signals IA to ID are respectively transmitted from the ECU 7, the in-wheel motors 3A to 3D are rotationally driven by currents corresponding to the in-wheel motor driving signals IA to ID, and the rotational driving force is transferred to the wheels WA to Each is transmitted to WD.

  Normally, the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B are supplied with the same current and have the same motor rotation speed. Therefore, the same rotational driving force is transmitted to the steering wheels WA and WB, and the same driving force is generated in the left and right steering wheels WA and WB. However, when the additional damping torque is generated, the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B are supplied with different currents and have different motor rotation speeds. Due to this motor speed difference, different rotational driving forces are transmitted to the steering wheels WA and WB, and different driving forces are generated between the left and right steering wheels WA and WB. The steered wheels WA and WB each have a kingpin offset KO that is a distance between an axis KA of the kingpin KP on the tire ground contact surface (a line that becomes a center of rotation when the steered wheel is steered) and a center TC of the tire ground contact surface Provided (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the driving forces of the left and right steering wheels WA and WB are different, the king pin offset KO causes a rotational force about the axis KA to act on the vehicle. That is, a rotational force (steering force) can be generated in the vehicle by causing a difference in motor speed between the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B. Furthermore, the attenuation of the steering system S can be increased or decreased by this rotational force.

  The wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D are sensors that detect the rotational speeds of the wheels WA to WD, respectively. The wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D transmit the detected values to the ECU 7 as wheel speed signals SA to SB, respectively. The wheel speed (vehicle speed) is calculated from the detection values of the wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D. In addition to the wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D, other vehicle speed sensors such as a sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the transmission may be used.

  The steering torque sensor 5 is a sensor that detects the steering torque input from the steering wheel SW from the difference in torsion amount between both ends of a torsion bar (not shown) provided on the steering shaft SS. The steering torque sensor 5 transmits the detected value to the ECU 7 as a steering torque signal TS.

  The steering angle sensor 6 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle and rotation direction of the steering shaft SS (the steering angle and the steering direction input from the steering wheel SW). The steering angle sensor 6 transmits the detected value as a steering angle signal AS to the ECU 7.

  The ECU 7 is an electronic control unit including a CPU [Central Processing Unit], a ROM [Read Only Memory], a RAM [Random Access Memory], and the like. The ECU 7 is connected to an accelerator opening sensor 8 and performs driving force control on the in-wheel motors 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D based on a detection signal from the sensor 8. The ECU 7 is connected to wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D, a steering torque sensor 5, and a steering angle sensor 6, and performs power steering control on the power steering device 1 based on detection signals from these sensors 4A to 4D, 5 and 6. . For this purpose, the ECU 7 includes a basic motor rotation speed setting unit 7a, a steering assist torque setting unit 7b, an additional damping torque setting unit 7c, a power steering motor drive control unit 7d, and an in-wheel motor drive control unit 7e. The ECU 7 holds various maps for setting various control amounts in the ROM, and the setting units 7a to 7c set control amounts based on the maps.

  In the present embodiment, the steering assist torque setting unit 7b corresponds to the steering assist force setting unit described in the claims, and the additional damping torque setting unit 7c is the additional damping force setting unit described in the claims. The in-wheel motor drive control unit 7e corresponds to the drive control means described in the claims.

  In the ECU 7, the wheel speed signals SA to SB from the wheel speed sensors 4 A to 4 D, the steering torque signal TS from the steering torque sensor 5, the steering angle signal AS from the steering angle sensor 6, and the accelerator opening from the accelerator opening sensor 8. Read signal OS. Then, the ECU 7 calculates the vehicle speed based on the rotational speeds of the wheels WA to WD. Further, the ECU 7 calculates the steering angular velocity based on the steering angle.

  The basic motor rotation speed setting unit 7a sets a motor rotation speed that is the basis of the in-wheel motors 3A to 3D according to the accelerator opening. The same motor speed may be set for all the wheels WA to WD, or different motors for the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B for the front wheels WA and WB and the in-wheel motors 3C and 3D for the rear wheels WC and WD. You may set a rotation speed. For example, when the front wheel drive vehicle is used, the basic motor rotation speed of the in-wheel motors 3C and 3D is set to 0. When the rear wheel drive vehicle is set, the basic motor rotation speed of the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B is set to 0, or The torque distribution may be changed between the front and rear wheels. However, the same basic motor speed is set for the left and right front wheels WA, WB, and the same basic motor speed is set for the left and right rear wheels WC, WD.

  The steering assist torque setting unit 7b sets the steering assist torque based on the vehicle speed and the steering torque. The steering assist torque that is set is associated with a large value at low speeds where the road reaction force is large, and a small value is associated with the vehicle speed at high speeds to ensure stability during driving. It is done. Further, the set steering assist torque is associated with a larger value as the steering torque increases with respect to the steering torque.

  The additional damping torque setting unit 7c sets the additional damping torque based on the vehicle speed and the steering angular velocity. At this time, the additional damping torque setting unit 7c compares the predetermined vehicle speed at which the steering torque is 0 shown in FIG. 4 with the actual vehicle speed, and the low speed area LA lower than the predetermined vehicle speed or the high speed area HA higher than the predetermined vehicle speed. Determine whether. The set additional damping torque is associated with a value for setting the positive steering torque to 0 (that is, a value for reducing the damping) in the low speed area LA with respect to the vehicle speed, and in the high speed area HA. A value for making the negative steering torque 0 (that is, a value for increasing attenuation) is associated (see FIG. 4). The set additional damping torque is associated with a larger value as the steering angular velocity becomes higher (as the steering by the driver becomes faster) with respect to the steering angular velocity.

  FIG. 4 shows characteristics of steering torque (reaction torque received by the driver via the steering wheel SW) corresponding to the vehicle speed generated in the vehicle (the steering system S) when the driver steers the steering wheel SW. Yes. The steering torque is represented by a real part and an imaginary part, and the steering torque shown in FIG. 4 shows the characteristics of the imaginary part. In the low speed region LA, the steering system S is excessively damped with respect to inertia, the steering torque (imaginary part) increases from 0 as the vehicle speed increases, and the vehicle speed around the center of the region LA is positive. The amount decreases to zero. On the other hand, in the high speed region HA, the steering system S is not sufficiently attenuated with respect to inertia, and the steering torque (imaginary part) increases from 0 to a negative amount as the vehicle speed increases. The predetermined vehicle speed indicating the boundary between the excessively attenuated state and the insufficiently attenuated state (the steering torque (imaginary part) becomes 0) is a vehicle speed of about several tens of km / h, and varies depending on characteristics relating to turning in the vehicle. . Further, as the steering speed increases, insufficient attenuation and excessive attenuation become more significant, and the amount of change in the steering torque (imaginary part) increases.

  When the speed is low, a phase advance term is generated with respect to steering by the driver, so that the steering torque acts in the direction in which the steering torque advances and the steering system S acts to increase damping. In this case, the excessive damping appears as a viscous feeling via the steering wheel SW, and the steering feeling is lowered. Therefore, the ECU 7 sets an additional damping torque for reducing this excessive damping, and drives and controls the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B so that the damping of the steering system S is lowered.

  In the case of high speed, the response of the vehicle body slip angle is delayed with respect to the steering by the driver. In this case, steering stability is lowered due to insufficient attenuation with respect to inertia in the steering system S (particularly, inertia due to the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2). In view of this, the ECU 7 sets an additional damping torque for increasing the dampening of the insufficient state, and drives and controls the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B so that the damping increases.

  In the power steering motor drive control unit 7d, a target current value necessary for generating the steering assist torque set by the steering assist torque setting unit 7b by the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2 is set, and the power steering indicating the target current value is set. The motor drive signal PS is transmitted to the motor drive circuit of the electric power steering device 2. The power steering motor drive control unit 7d takes in a current value that actually flows through the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2 from a sensor (not shown), and performs feedback control of the electric power steering device 2.

  In addition, when it is necessary to give an excessive additional damping torque in order to increase the damping at a high speed, an excessive damping torque is added by the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B. There is. In such a case, the ECU 7 sets a target current value required for suppressing the feeling of viscosity by the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2 and performs control for reducing the attenuation of the electric power steering device 2. You may go. In addition, when an excessive additional damping torque for reducing the damping at low speed has to be given, the damping is reduced by the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B, but the reaction torque is also reduced, and the driver can respond from the steering wheel SW. I can't feel it. In such a case, the ECU 7 sets a target current value necessary for increasing the reaction torque by the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2 and increases the reaction torque with respect to the electric power steering device 2. You may control.

  The in-wheel motor drive control unit 7e sets a target current value required for the in-wheel motors 3A to 3D to be the basic motor rotation number set by the basic motor rotation number setting unit 7a, and sets the target current value. The in-wheel motor drive signals IA to ID shown are transmitted to the in-wheel motors 3A to 3D, respectively. At this time, when the same target current value is set for all the in-wheel motor drive signals IA to ID, or the same target current value is set for the in-wheel motor drive signals IA and IB and the in-wheel motor drive signal IC, The same target current value may be set for ID. Further, in the in-wheel motor drive control unit 7e, when the additional damping torque is set by the additional damping torque setting unit 7c, the difference between the motor rotational speeds necessary for generating the additional damping torque is obtained, and the basic motor rotational speed is calculated. As a reference, target current values required for the difference in motor speed are set for the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B, and in-wheel motor drive signals IA and IB indicating the target current values are set as the in-wheel motor 3A. , 3B, respectively. In order to cause a motor rotation speed difference, even if the rotation speed of one of the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B is increased with respect to the basic motor rotation speed, the other rotation speed may be decreased with respect to the basic motor rotation speed. Alternatively, only one of the rotational speeds may be increased or decreased with respect to the basic motor rotational speed.

  The operation of the power steering apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the driving of the vehicle by the in-wheel motors 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D and the steering assist by the electric power steering device 2 when the driver performs the steering will be described, and then the in-wheel motor at the low speed and at the high speed will be described. The attenuation adjustment by 3A and 3B will be described.

  When the driver performs an accelerator operation, the accelerator opening sensor 8 detects the accelerator opening, and transmits an accelerator opening signal OS to the ECU 7. The ECU 7 reads the accelerator opening signal OS and sets the basic motor speed based on the accelerator opening. Then, the ECU 7 generates in-wheel motor drive signals IA to ID from the basic motor rotation speed, and transmits them to the in-wheel motors 3A to 3D. The in-wheel motors 3A to 3D are driven and controlled so as to have the basic motor rotational speed, and transmit the rotational driving force corresponding to the basic motor rotational speed to the wheels WA to WD, respectively. The wheels WA to WD are each driven by this rotational driving force, and the vehicle has a vehicle speed corresponding to the accelerator opening. The wheel speed sensors 4A to 4D detect the rotational speeds of the wheels WA to WD and transmit wheel speed signals SA to SD to the ECU 7, respectively.

  Further, when the driver steers the steering wheel SW, a steering torque is applied to the steering shaft SS. The steering torque sensor 5 detects the steering torque and transmits a steering torque signal TS to the ECU 7. The steering angle sensor 6 detects the steering angle and transmits a steering angle signal AS to the ECU 7. The ECU 7 reads the steering torque signal TS and the wheel speed signals SA to SD, and sets the steering assist torque based on the steering torque and the vehicle speed. Then, the ECU 7 generates a power steering motor drive signal PS from this steering assist torque and transmits it to the electric power steering device 2. In the electric power steering device 2, the electric motor is drive-controlled so as to generate a steering assist torque, and the generated steering assist torque is applied to the steering shaft SS via a reduction gear. When steering torque and steering assist torque by the driver are applied to the steering shaft SS, the pinion P rotates according to the torque. The rack R is slid with respect to the steering gear box SG by the rotation of the pinion P, and the left and right steered wheels WA and WB are steered via the tie rods TA and TB.

  When the vehicle speed is low, the steering torque (imaginary part) increases in the vehicle, and the damping is excessive with respect to the inertia of the steering system S (particularly, the inertia of the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2). In the ECU 7, the wheel speed signals SA to SD and the steering angle signal AS are read, and in order to cancel the positive steering torque (imaginary part) in the low speed region LA, the magnitude corresponding to the steering angular speed in the direction of decreasing the attenuation of the steering system S. The additional damping torque is set (see FIG. 4). Then, the ECU 7 sets the motor rotation speeds of the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B necessary for generating the torque for reducing the attenuation, and generates the in-wheel motor drive signals IA and IB from the respective motor rotation speeds. And transmitted to the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B, respectively. The in-wheel motors 3A and 3B are driven and controlled at different motor speeds, and transmit the rotational driving force for generating torque for reducing the attenuation to the steered wheels WA and WB, respectively. The steering wheels WA and WB are driven by the different rotational driving forces, respectively, and a torque that reduces the damping is applied to the steering system S by the driving difference. The steering torque (imaginary part) is reduced by the additional damping torque for reducing the damping, and the excessive damping state is suppressed. This makes it difficult for the driver to feel a sense of viscosity via the steering wheel SW.

  In the case of high speed, the steering torque (imaginary part) decreases in the vehicle, and the damping is insufficient with respect to the inertia of the steering system S (particularly, the inertia of the electric motor of the electric power steering device 2). In the ECU 7, the wheel speed signals SA to SD and the steering angle signal AS are read, and in order to cancel the negative steering torque (imaginary part) in the high speed region HA, the magnitude corresponding to the steering angular speed in the direction of increasing the attenuation of the steering system S. The additional damping torque is set (see FIG. 4). Then, the ECU 7 sets the motor rotation speeds of the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B necessary for generating the torque that increases the attenuation, and generates the in-wheel motor drive signals IA and IB from the respective motor rotation speeds. And transmitted to the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B, respectively. The in-wheel motors 3A and 3B are driven and controlled at different motor speeds, and transmit different rotational driving forces for generating torque for increasing damping to the steered wheels WA and WB, respectively. The steering wheels WA and WB are driven by the different rotational driving forces, respectively, and a torque for increasing the damping is given to the steering system S by the driving difference. Since the additional damping torque for increasing the damping is applied to the steering wheels WA and WB farthest from the steering wheel SW, the viscous feeling is gradually relieved while the torque is transmitted through the steering system S. This makes it difficult for the driver to feel a sense of viscosity via the steering wheel SW. Further, the steering torque (imaginary part) is increased by the additional damping torque for increasing the damping, and the insufficient damping state is suppressed. As a result, a decrease in steering stability due to the inertia of the steering system S is suppressed.

  According to the power steering apparatus 1, the attenuation in the steering system S is adjusted by the driving force difference between the in-wheel motors 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B farthest from the steering wheel SW (and consequently the driving force difference between the steering wheels WA and WB). As a result, the steering stability can be improved and the steering feeling can be improved. Furthermore, in the power steering apparatus 1, since the in-wheel motors 3A and 3B that are the driving force sources of the vehicle are used to adjust the damping, a dedicated motor for adjusting the damping in the vicinity of the steered wheels is not required. .

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is implemented in various forms, without being limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, in this embodiment, the electric power steering device is configured to generate the steering assist force. However, the hydraulic power steering device may be configured to generate the steering assist force, or may be an in-wheel motor incorporated in the steering wheel. A configuration in which a steering assist force is generated by a driving force difference may be employed, or a steering assist force may be generated by a driving force difference by an in-wheel motor and any one of power steering devices.

  In the present embodiment, the additional damping force is generated by the in-wheel motor that is the driving force source of the vehicle. However, in the case of a vehicle that does not include the in-wheel motor, the left and right steering wheels are independently driven to rotate. A configuration may be employed in which a dedicated motor is provided and an additional damping force is generated by the motor. In this case, a conventional electric or hydraulic electric power steering device is not required by adopting a configuration in which a steering assist force is also generated by this motor.

  In the present embodiment, the additional damping force is set based on the vehicle speed and the steering angular velocity. However, the configuration may be set using either one of them, or the configuration using the steering torque. But you can.

It is a lineblock diagram of the power steering device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the left steering wheel of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of ECU of FIG. It is a figure which shows the steering torque (imaginary part) characteristic with respect to the vehicle speed at the time of steering a steering wheel.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power steering apparatus, 2 ... Electric power steering apparatus, 3A-3B ... In-wheel motor, 4A-4D ... Wheel speed sensor, 5 ... Steering torque sensor, 6 ... Steering angle sensor, 7 ... ECU, 7a ... Basic motor rotation Number setting unit, 7b ... Steering assist torque setting unit, 7c ... Additional damping torque setting unit, 7d ... Power steering motor drive control unit, 7e ... In-wheel motor drive control unit, 8 ... Accelerator opening sensor

Claims (5)

A power steering control device for a vehicle including left and right motors capable of rotating the left and right steering wheels independently of each other,
Steering assist force setting means for setting a steering assist force based on at least the steering torque and the vehicle speed;
An additional damping force setting means for setting an additional damping force to be applied to the steering system based on at least one of the vehicle speed, the steering angular velocity, and the steering torque;
A vehicle power steering control device comprising: drive control means for controlling drive of the left and right motors to generate the additional damping force set by the additional damping force setting means.   2. The power steering control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the steering assist force is generated by a steering assist force generating means mounted on a vehicle body side.   The additional damping force setting means sets an additional damping force for reducing the damping force in the steering system when the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed, and increases the damping force in the steering system when the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined vehicle speed. The power steering control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an additional damping force is set for the control.   The power steering control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional damping force is generated by controlling a difference in driving force between the left and right motors.   The power steering control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a kingpin offset is provided on the left and right steering wheels.

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