Vibration actuator in the steering wheel

The vibration actuator is fitted in the spoke of the steering wheel. The vibration actuator has the task of causing the steering wheel to vibrate. The driver assistance systems 'lane departure warning' and 'lane change warning' use this vibration to warn the driver regarding dangerous situations.

The steering wheel module also housed inside the steering wheel activates the vibration actuator. The request for activation of the vibration actuator is sent by the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) as follows: via FlexRay to the steering column switch cluster (SZL). The SZL forwards this request across the LIN bus to the steering wheel module.

Fig 1: Identifying Electronic Steering Wheel Module And Vibration Actuator

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.