Steer-by-wire system of ultra-compact EV considering driver: basic consideration on reaction force

抄録

In recent years, ultra-compact electric vehicles (EVs) have become popular and been used as transportation tools for traveling within a community area. However, it is difficult to satisfactory install an assist mechanism for steering operation, power steering systems, and other driver assistance systems because of owning their compactness. To solve this problem, our research group has proposed to install a steer-by-wire system (SBWS) with an electronic rather than mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the tires. We aim to find the optimal reaction force at the steering wheel that can reduce the burden on the driver. Therefore, an upper limb analysis model using the driver's biological information was created and simulated. In this report, we simulated the burden of the driver's arm when the steering angle was changed while the seat slide adjustment and steering reaction force was constant. The effect of the steering reaction force on the steering burden was also investigated by simulating three patterns of steering reaction force. As the results of the simulation, it was found that the steering burden of the driver's arm tends to increase as the steering reaction force increases. In addition, it was confirmed that the effect of the steering burden due to the difference in the reaction force decreases as the steering angle increases.