US 12,330,732 B2
Method of controlling a steering system
Johan Angenete, Gothenburg (SE)
Assigned to Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
Appl. No. 18/266,009
Filed by Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
PCT Filed Dec. 17, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/086793
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 8, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/128103, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 23, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0043064 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 7/22 (2006.01); B62D 6/00 (2006.01); B62D 15/02 (2006.01); B62D 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 7/224 (2013.01) [B62D 6/001 (2013.01); B62D 6/002 (2013.01); B62D 6/008 (2013.01); B62D 15/0215 (2013.01); B62D 5/0415 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a steering system of a vehicle, the steering system comprising:
a first steering shaft connected to a steering device;
a second steering shaft connected to at least one pair of wheels of the vehicle; and
a mechanical member comprising a first portion connected to the first steering shaft and a second portion connected to the second steering shaft;
wherein a mutual relative rotation between the first steering shaft and the second steering shaft is obtainable by an angular mechanical play between the first portion and the second portion;
wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in contact with each other when the mutual relative rotation reaches a displacement angle corresponding to the angular mechanical play; and
wherein the mechanical member is configured to assume a first state in which a first angular mechanical play is provided between the first portion and the second portion, the method comprising:
determining, by receiving a signal indicative of a lateral acceleration of the vehicle, that the lateral acceleration is above a predetermined threshold; and
controlling, in response to the lateral acceleration being above the predetermined threshold, an angular displacement between the first steering shaft and the second steering shaft, such that the mechanical member assumes a second state in which a second angular mechanical play is provided between the first portion and the second portion;
wherein the second state allows a smaller mutual relative rotation between the first steering shaft and the second steering shaft compared to the first state.