Challenges
To keep pace with the constantly increasing complexity, meet customer requirements and uphold the brand-specific characteristics, the development of steering systems necessitates extensive and continuous tests. The Steering-in-the-Loop test bench from IPG Automotive allows to test future steering systems today, such as Steer-by-Wire, reproducibly and without any risks.
Solutions
Not every company in the field of steering system development owns a test bench for this type of component. IPG Automotive can help: We offer the possibility to rent a Steering-in-the-Loop test bench and to test steering systems on site in Karlsruhe.
Your benefits at a glance
Comprehensive testing of steering systems
IPG Automotive offers companies without an own test bench the possibility to perform comprehensive tests for steering systems off site
Test different steering systems
Test front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel steering systems based on EPS or Steer-by-Wire on the test bench
Continuous support from experts
An expert from IPG Automotive supports you during the entire rental time and operates the test bench
How it works
IPG Automotive performs the mechanic, electric and software-related integration of the respective steering system into the test bench and monitors the test process during the entire rental time. Additional customer-specific measurement or calibration software can be coupled with the test bench. After defining the test plan, a maneuver catalog is created for the test procedure. Required scenarios are build and tests automated. Afterwards, these scenarios are simulated and, in the final step, test results are analyzed and documented.
Which tests can be performed?
This test bench enables tests for steering systems based on EPS (electric power steering) that support the steering command electromechanically as well as for Steer-by-Wire systems that forward the steering command electrically without a mechanical steering column. Independently from the steering system type, a variety of test have to be performed during the development process. Function tests focus on the inherent effect of the steering system functions.
Fail-safe tests for example can also be performed on the Steering-in-the-Loop test bench. They simulate the failure of a sensor signal, short circuit or loose contact for example. Performance tests allow to push the performance of the steering system and its functions to the limits and to carry out tests under these conditions as well. In addition to tests for steering development, another application possibility of the Steering-in-the-Loop test bench is the parameter identification for the Pfeffer steering model. It allows to generate an exact model of the real-world steering system to create a virtual prototype for MIL and SIL tests.
What other options are available?
The test bench from IPG Automotive also offers options such as the Driver-in-the-Loop platform (DIL) as well as the Hands Off Clutch. With DIL, a real driver can manually give steering commands, evaluate the steering feel and sense haptic feedback from ADAS. Our Hands Off Clutch device developed in-house simulates letting go of the steering wheel during the test runs. This allows to test ADAS that intervene in steering and take over the steering wheel at least temporarily. Examples are lane keeping assist systems (LKAS) or park assist systems.