Nissan cria sistema de direção fly-by-wire para modelos da Infiniti

A Nissan anunciou no começo desta semana que planeja equipar alguns dos futuros modelos da Infiniti com um sistema capaz de esterçar o sistema de direção eletronicamente ao invés dos tradicionais sistemas mecânicos ou hidráulicos. A fábrica japonesa batizou sua criação como "steer-by-wire".

Dentro de um ano, os primeiros modelos da marca de luxo da Nissan receberão esta tecnologia. O esterçamento do volante por parte do motorista será transformado em comandos, que são enviados a uma central eletrônica, que instrui um atuador, que aciona os motores elétricos, que por sua vez movimentam o sistema de esterçamento das rodas.

Em caso de falha no sistema steer-by-wire, uma embreagem conecta o setor de direção ao volante, passando desta forma a um sistema de esterçamento mecânico. Além disso, passará a fornecer ao motorista dados sobre a pista de rolamento.

A Nissan não foi a primeira a produzir este tipo de tecnologia. Em 2011, a Audi implementou este sistema no A2 Concept, no entanto, a marca japonesa é a pioneira a implantar o steer-by-wire em carros para o consumidor final.

Nissan Pioneers First-Ever*1 Independent Control Steering Technology;
To Be On Sale Within a Year
- Delivers responsive performance by controlling tire and steering angles inputs independently-

YOKOHAMA, Japan (October 17, 2012) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the world's first steering technology that allows independent control of a vehicle's tire angle and steering inputs. This next-generation steering technology was developed by Nissan.

A conventional steering system directs tire movements by transmitting steering inputs to the tires via a mechanical link. Nissan's next-generation steering technology reads the driver's intentions from steering inputs and controls the vehicle's tire movements via electronic signals. This transmits the driver's intentions to the wheels even faster than a mechanical system and increases the direct driving performance feel by quickly and intelligently communicating road surface feedback to the driver.

The system controls and insulates the vehicle from unnecessary road-generated disturbances to deliver only the necessary performance feel to the driver. For example, even on a road surface with minor ridges or furrows, the driver no longer has to grip the steering wheel tightly and make detailed adjustments, so traveling on the intended path becomes easier.
Accompanying this next-generation steering technology, Nissan has also developed a camera-based straight-line stability system to further enhance on-center driving capability. This system is a world-first*2 technology that improves vehicle stability by making small input angle adjustments so the vehicle will accurately trace and continue as planned in the lane it is traveling. If the vehicle direction changes due to road surface or crosswinds, the system acts to minimize the effect of these conditions resulting in reduced steering input from the driver.

Using a camera mounted above the vehicle's rearview mirror, the system analyzes the road ahead, recognizes the lane direction, detects changes in the vehicle's direction, and transmits this information to multiple electronic control units as electronic signals. If a discrepancy occurs, the system acts to reduce the discrepancy by controlling the opposing force to the tire angle. By reducing the frequency of detailed steering input adjustments, which are a cause of fatigue on long drives, the driver's workload is greatly reduced.

This next-generation steering technology's high reliability is achieved by multiple ECUs. In the event a single ECU malfunctions, another ECU will instantly take control, and in extreme circumstances such as the power supply being disrupted, the backup clutch will act to connect the steering wheel and wheels mechanically, ensuring continued safe travel.

This technology will be equipped on select Infiniti models on sale within one year to provide "Driving as Intended" and "Driving with Peace of Mind" for owners.

*1: World-first development of an independent control steering technology that controls tire and steering angles inputs independently.
*2: World-first development of an accurate tracing technology that enables a driver to continue driving as planned in the lane with small steering angle adjustments (depending on road conditions).

Nissan Announces "Autonomous Emergency Steering System"

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the development of the "Autonomous Emergency Steering System."

This system offers a high level of collision avoidance capability by applying automatic braking and automatic steering in situations where a collision is imminent and evading obstacles by braking may not be effective. The system takes effect in situations where unpredictable risks arise, such as sudden intrusions onto the road in low speed zones, or when a collision at high speed is imminent due to the driver's delayed recognition of the tail end of a traffic jam.

Nissan has long worked on the development and commercialization of brake-based control technology. The company has recently promoted development of technology to deal with situations that cannot be mitigated through braking alone. In order to prevent an accident from occurring, technology is needed to identify potential obstacles. Nissan has succeeded in developing technology which, through high-precision sensing technology and on-board control technology, automatically steers the vehicle away from potential collisions, when braking alone is insufficient.

The Autonomous Emergency Steering System, using the information provided by the front-mounted radar and camera, the two left and right rear radars, and the five laser scanners attached around the vehicle, initially acts on a risk of collision that cannot be avoided by braking. Simultaneously, it checks if there is a forward zone free of obstacles and that there are no vehicles approaching from the rear, and then displays to the driver the direction that the vehicle should be steered. If the driver cannot immediately steer in that direction, the system takes over to automatically steer the vehicle to help avoid a collision.

Nissan has established the Vision Zero safety goal, which aims to help eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The guiding force behind this goal is the concept of the "Safety Shield," which identifies six stages of driving conditions, from "normal driving conditions" through "post-accident condition", and works to provide the most effective counter measure against sources of danger which occur at during each stage. The "Autonomous Emergency Steering System" is based on this initiative.

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