Adaptive Vehicle Braking Force Using Surrounding Environment Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle braking systems do not adapt braking force to the surrounding environment, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A computer system equipped with sensors and processing circuitry that acquires surrounding environment data to determine and apply appropriate braking force based on factors like obstacles, speed limits, topography, and weather conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If engine braking is applied when the driver releases the accelerator, then fuel efficiency is improved and primary brake wear is reduced, but the braking force is not adapted to the surrounding environment which may compromise traffic security

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic security
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The braking force is dynamically adjusted based on real-time surrounding environment data. The system transitions from static engine braking to dynamic adaptive braking by continuously monitoring environmental factors (obstacles, traffic lights, road gradient, weather) and modifying the braking force accordingly, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and traffic security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by acquiring surrounding environment data through sensors, processing this information through a braking force estimation function, and adjusting the braking force based on the estimated optimal value. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures both fuel efficiency and traffic security by adapting braking to actual environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If braking force is increased to improve traffic security in various environments, then safety is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to excessive braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic securityVSAvoidfuel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the braking force parameter dynamically based on environmental conditions. Instead of applying fixed high braking force for safety, the system adjusts the braking force parameter according to detected environmental factors (reducing braking when safe, increasing when necessary), thereby maintaining traffic security while optimizing fuel efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial braking action only when necessary based on environmental assessment. Rather than continuously applying maximum braking force for safety, the system applies braking force proportionally to the actual safety requirement, avoiding excessive braking that would waste fuel while maintaining adequate traffic security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4647305A1Controlling braking force of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4647305A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4647305A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4647305A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

In an aspect, a computer system (14) comprising processing circuitry (11) is provided. The processing circuitry (11) is configured to acquire (S101) data relating to the surrounding environment, detect (S102), when in a manual driving mode, a driver of the vehicle (10) releasing an accelerator (18) of the vehicle (10), and to apply (S103) braking force of a brake (19) of the vehicle (10) in response to the driver releasing the accelerator (18), wherein the braking force being applied is determined based on the acquired surrounding environment data.