Vehicle Actuation Rocker for Elastic Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake-by-wire actuation devices require expensive force sensors to detect failures in elastic means, which are not yet fully developed and are more costly than angular or linear sensors, necessitating a more economical and reliable method for failure detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rocker mechanism with parallel elastic means and using linear sensors or an angular sensor to measure the inclination of the rocker, allowing detection of elastic system failures without the need for force sensors, ensuring the actuation device remains functional even with one elastic means broken.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If force sensors are used to detect failures in elastic means, then detection reliability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rocker as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the force state of elastic means into a measurable angular position. Instead of directly measuring force with expensive force sensors, the rocker converts force information into angular displacement that can be detected by cheaper angular sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and device cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct mechanical force measurement system (force sensors) with a mechanical transformation system (rocker mechanism) coupled with angular/linear sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive force sensors while maintaining detection capability through geometric transformation of the measurement parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple sensor types are combined for redundant measurement, then security level (ASIL D) is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rocker mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits force from the elastic means, provides a lever arm for mechanical advantage, and acts as a mechanical transducer converting force into angular position. This multi-functionality allows a single mechanical element to fulfill multiple roles, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ASIL D security requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from force (requiring expensive force sensors) to angular position (measurable with cheaper angular sensors). By transforming the physical quantity being measured through the rocker's mechanical advantage and geometry, the system achieves the same security level with less complex sensor technology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables reliable detection of elastic system failures using less expensive linear or angular sensors, maintaining the actuation device's functionality and meeting ASIL D security standards, while reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic means (4) and a second elastic means (5) arranged in parallel... the first elastic means and the second elastic means are compressed, exerting a force on the rocker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4474230B1Actuation device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 BATZ SCOOP
  • EP4474230B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4474230B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4474230B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An actuation device for a vehicle, said actuation device comprising a pushing element (2) that is displaced when a driver acts on the actuation device (1), a first elastic means (4) and a second elastic means (5) arranged in parallel, and a rocker (6). When the pushing element (2) is displaced, the first elastic means (4) and the second elastic means (5) are compressed, exerting a force on the rocker (6), an incorrect operation of the first elastic means (4) or of the second elastic means (5) being detected when the rocker (6) has an inclination other than a predetermined reference inclination.