IP Library Granted Patent US 12,466,374
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,374 · App. 18/363,982 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Brake-to-steer for steer-by-wire control algorithm using support from tertiary steering actuation

Inventors: Michael S. Wyciechowski (Grand Blanc, MI); Scott T. Sanford (Swartz Creek, MI)
Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation; Continental Automotive Systems Inc.
B60T8/92B60T8/52B62D9/005B62D11/08B60T2260/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,374
App. No.
18/363,982
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A number of variations may include a system, method, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon executable by an electronic processor to implement functionality comprising enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary rack and pinion actuator by using brake-to-steer while the tertiary rack and pinion actuator is operating.

Claims (20)

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon executable by an electronic processor to implement functionality comprising enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary steering actuator by using brake-to-steer while the tertiary steering actuator is operating.

2. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in claim 1 wherein the instructions implement functionality of determining that both of a primary steering actuator and a secondary steering actuator have failed before implementing the act of enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary steering actuator by using brake-to-steer while the tertiary steering actuator is operating.

3. A method comprising enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary steering actuator comprising using brake-to-steer while the tertiary steering actuator is operating.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising determining that a primary steering actuator and a secondary steering actuator have failed before implementing the act of enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary steering actuator by using brake-to-steer while the tertiary steering actuator is operating.

5. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than a tertiary steering actuator would have to have in order steer a vehicle with brake-to-steer operating.

6. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than either of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

7. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one half of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

8. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one third of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

9. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one quarter of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

10. A system for use in a vehicle having differential electronic brakes at each roadwheel, a propulsion system, a steer by wire system, of a primary steering actuator, a secondary steering actuator and a tertiary steering actuator, one or more modules or controllers including an electronic processor, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon executable by the electronic processor to implement functionality comprising determining that both of a primary steering actuator and a secondary steering actuator have failed and thereafter sending commands to the a tertiary steering actuator, the differential electronic brakes at each roadwheel, and the propulsion system, to provide steer by brake assistance to the tertiary steering actuator to increase the curvature capability of steering the vehicle than the curvature capability of only using the tertiary steering actuator without brake-to-steer functionality.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than a tertiary steering actuator would have to have in order steer a vehicle with brake-to-steer operating.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than either of the primary steering actuator or the secondary rack and pinion actuator.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one half of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

14. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one third of the primary steering actuator or the secondary rack and pinion actuator.

15. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tertiary steering actuator has a maximum output force or torque force that is less than one quarter of the primary steering actuator or the secondary steering actuator.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in claim 1 wherein the using brake-to-steer is conducted to provide steer by brake assistance to the tertiary steering actuator to increase the curvature capability of steering the vehicle than the curvature capability of only using the tertiary steering actuator without brake-to-steer functionality.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tertiary steering actuator is a tertiary rack and pinion actuator.

18. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator is a tertiary rack and pinion actuator.

19. The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the tertiary steering actuator is a tertiary rack and pinion actuator.

20. The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the primary steering actuator is a primary rack and pinion actuator, and the secondary steering actuator is a secondary rack and pinion actuator.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2023
From: WYCIECHOWSKI, MICHAEL S.; SANDFORD, SCOTT T
To: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION; CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 064467/0249 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63408492 · Sep 21, 2022
Related Publication 20240092326A1 · Mar 21, 2024
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