# US 2019/0168803 A1 · Method of controlling a vehicle in case of steering system failure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168803 A1 - Document ID: US20190168803A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/832,794 - Filed: 2017-12-06 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-06 - Assignees: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC - Applicants: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC - Inventors: Joseph D. Miller; Brian T. Murray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168803A1 ## CPC - B62D 5/0484: {for reaction to failures, e.g. limp home} - B60W 10/184: with wheel brakes - B60W 10/20: including control of steering systems - B60W 30/02: Control of vehicle driving stability - B62D 7/148: {provided with safety devices} - B62D 7/159: {characterised by computing methods or stabilisation processes or systems, e.g. responding to yaw rate, lateral wind, load, road condition} - B62D 9/005: {Emergency systems using brakes for steering} - B62D 15/025: {Active steering aids, e.g. helping the driver by actively influencing the steering system after environment evaluation (B62D1/28 takes precedence)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT ## Abstract A method of operating a vehicle to maintain the vehicle along a desired course. The vehicle has a first steering system for turning left and right wheels at a first end of the vehicle, a second steering system for turning left and right wheels at a second end of the vehicle, brakes for slowing rotation of the wheels, and a steering lock mechanism. The method includes determining that the first steering system is malfunctioning. The steering lock mechanism is operated to lock out turning of the left and right wheels at the first end of the vehicle. The brakes are operated to maintain the vehicle along the desired course. The second steering system is operated to maintain the vehicle along the desired course. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a vehicle to maintain the vehicle along a desired course, the vehicle having a first steering system for turning left and right wheels at a first end of the vehicle, a second steering system for turning left and right wheels at a second end of the vehicle, brakes for slowing rotation of the wheels, and a steering lock mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: determining the first steering system is malfunctioning; operating the steering lock mechanism to lock out turning of the left and right wheels at the first end of the vehicle; operating the brakes to maintain the vehicle along the desired course; and operating the second steering system to maintain the vehicle along the desired course. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of operating the steering lock mechanism and operating the brakes occurs simultaneously. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining whether the steering lock mechanism has completed locking out operation of the first steering system; and delaying operating the second steering system until it has been determined that the steering lock mechanism has completed locking out operation of the first steering system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining whether operation of the second steering system alone can maintain the vehicle along the desired course; and terminating operation of the brakes in response to a determination that operation of the second steering system alone can maintain the vehicle along the desired course. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the first steering system is malfunctioning includes assessing whether the vehicle is being maintained along the desired course. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of operating the steering lock mechanism and operating the brakes are performed in response to a determination that first steering system is malfunctioning.