Autonomous Brake Valve Draining Cylinder to Hold Pedal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, controlling the movement of vehicle components to prevent user input while the vehicle computer operates the vehicle is challenging, as existing systems often require additional components and complex mechanisms to manage brake actuation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a computer actuates a brake valve to drain and isolate the brake cylinder, holding the brake pedal in a retracted position, using existing vehicle components to prevent user input during autonomous operation, by draining the brake cylinder and isolating it from the fluid reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components and complex mechanisms are added to manage brake actuation in autonomous vehicles, then the ability to prevent user input is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls brake fluid flow during normal braking operations and also prevents user input during autonomous vehicle operation. By making the existing brake valve multi-functional, the system achieves reliable prevention of user input without adding complex dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the function of preventing user input with the existing brake actuation mechanism. The brake valve and brake cylinder work together in an integrated manner, where the same components used for normal braking also handle autonomous operation control, merging multiple functions into a unified system.
2Reliability
If the brake cylinder is drained and isolated to hold the brake pedal in a retracted position, then user input prevention is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by draining the brake cylinder and isolating it before autonomous operation begins. The brake pedal is held in a retracted position in advance, preventing user input before it can occur. This preliminary preparation simplifies the control logic during actual autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the brake fluid from the brake cylinder by draining it into the fluid reservoir, and then isolates the cylinder by closing the brake valve. This removes the hydraulic pressure that would enable brake pedal actuation, effectively taking out the capability for user input while maintaining the physical brake system intact.
3Device complexity
If existing vehicle components are used to prevent user input, then the number of required components is reduced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Existing brake system components are designed to perform multiple functions. The brake valve controls both normal braking fluid flow and prevents user input during autonomous operation. The brake cylinder serves both as a braking actuator and as a containment vessel that can be isolated. This multi-functionality reduces component count while managing control complexity through software coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing brake system components serve themselves by performing both normal braking operations and autonomous operation control functions. The same hydraulic system that provides braking also prevents user input when isolated, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
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
This solution effectively prevents user input to the brake pedal during autonomous mode, allowing the vehicle computer to operate the brakes without interruption, reducing the number of required components and simplifying the braking system.
Implementation Method 1
actuate a brake valve to drain the brake cylinder... actuate the brake valve to isolate the brake cylinder
Implementation Method 2
isolate the brake cylinder and hold a brake pedal in a retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate a brake valve to drain a brake cylinder and then actuate the brake valve to isolate the brake cylinder and hold a brake pedal in a retracted position.