Bosch Huayu Performs Virtual Verification of Steering System Reliability
Models Evaluate Performance Under Variable Driving Conditions
The Bosch Huayu team used Simscape to build one-dimensional physical models of steering system components, including the intermediate shaft, torsion bar, recirculating ball mechanism, motor, and tie-rod force models.
Key Outcomes
- Increased test coverage by using Simscape and Simulink to model and simulate steering system behavior across operating conditions and variability
- Minimized testing costs by validating steering system performance in an integrated simulation environment, using Simulink before physical vehicle testing
- Reduced testing time by enabling early system-level evaluation and execution of test cases within a virtual environment built with Simulink and an integrated vehicle model
Bosch Huayu Steering Systems Co., Ltd. develops and validates vehicle steering systems. When testing these systems, it can be difficult to reproduce different driving environments at the vehicle level, which limits comprehensive testing of steering systems used in automated driving.
The Bosch Huayu team addressed this challenge by using Simscape™ to build one-dimensional physical models of steering system components, including the intermediate shaft, torsion bar, recirculating ball mechanism, motor, and tie-rod force models. These component models are calibrated using experimental data obtained from tests.
The calibrated component models are then integrated into a steering system model using Simulink® and compared with bench test results under varying conditions, including different loads and steering input frequencies. The team evaluates measurements such as steering angle, torque, motor output, and rack displacement. After validating the steering system model at the bench level, the team integrates it into a virtual vehicle environment that includes vehicle dynamics, a driver model, and scenario models. Simulation results from this integrated environment are compared with vehicle test results, including standardized handling and stability tests.
Finally, the team performs Monte Carlo simulation by considering key factors across the steering system, vehicle, and operating conditions to evaluate steering system performance under variation.
