Synthetic torque feedback to improve heavy vehicle drivability

TRW has recently launched an electrically powered, computer-controlled enhancement to commercial vehicle steering systems. ColumnDrive, the new component, precisely controls torque feedback to the driver, resulting in a synthetic or artificial steering feel. Synthetic torque feedback is most effective at masking non-linearities in the steering system that degrade the on-centre lane-keeping properties of the vehicle, as well as providing an unprecedented level of speed proportionality so that parking efforts can be optimized independently of on-centre stability. The new ColumnDrive and existing electrical power-steering control architectures are compared, and actual vehicle performance data are presented.