Electronic Brake Architecture for ABS During Module Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic braking systems (EBS) in commercial vehicles fail to maintain controlled operation if a pressure control module fails, leading to potential wheel locking and loss of vehicle stability due to disrupted communication between wheel speed sensors and the central control unit.

Innovation Solution

A direct electrical connection between wheel speed sensors and the central control unit, along with a centralized arrangement of the central control unit and pressure control modules, ensures continuous data transmission and operation even if a pressure control module fails, allowing for ABS braking and anti-slip control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If wheel speed sensors are connected to the central control unit via the pressure control module, then the system architecture is simplified and modular, but if the pressure control module fails, the wheel speed sensor signals cannot be transmitted to the control unit, causing loss of ABS and ASR functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem architectureVSAvoidABS and ASR functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A signal amplifier unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the wheel speed sensors and the central control unit. This unit receives sensor signals, amplifies them, and transmits the amplified signals to the control unit. The signal amplifier unit is electrically connected to both the sensors and the control unit, creating a redundant communication path that bypasses the pressure control module, thus maintaining ABS and ASR functionality even when the pressure control module fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a backup signal transmission path through the signal amplifier unit before failure can occur. By pre-establishing this alternative communication route, the system ensures that wheel speed sensor data can still reach the central control unit even if the primary path through the pressure control module fails, thereby cushioning against the potential loss of ABS and ASR functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a direct electrical connection is established between wheel speed sensors and the central control unit, then continuous data transmission is ensured even during pressure control module failure, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrical connections and components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidelectrical connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal amplifier unit serves multiple functions: it amplifies weak sensor signals, provides an alternative communication path bypassing the pressure control module, and maintains signal integrity during module failures. This multi-functional component achieves reliable data transmission continuity without requiring completely separate redundant sensor systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If pressure control valves are arranged on each wheel to enable individual control, then wheel slip can be controlled individually, but if the pressure control module fails, the system cannot process sensor signals or set target pressure, requiring pneumatic replacement system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual wheel control capabilityVSAvoidelectronic control functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The signal amplifier unit acts as a mediator that ensures sensor signals reach the central control unit regardless of pressure control module status. This enables the control unit to maintain electronic control functionality and set target pressure even when the pressure control module experiences failures, preserving individual wheel control capability through the electronic system rather than requiring pneumatic replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4077075B1Electronic brake system architecture
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4077075B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4077075B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system architecture of an electronic braking system, comprising at least one pressure regulating module (30) for setting a target brake pressure to be introduced into a brake cylinder (85a, 85b, 85c, 85d) of a vehicle, at least one wheel speed sensor (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) for detecting a wheel slip between a wheel (84a, 84b, 84c, 84d) of the vehicle and the road surface, at least one pressure control valve (40a, 40b) for adjusting the brake pressure as a function of the wheel slip and a central computing unit (60) for controlling the pressure regulating module (30) and the pressure control valve (40a, 40b) based on a brake signal and the detected data of the at least one wheel speed sensor (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d), the at least one wheel speed sensor (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) having a direct connection to the central computing unit (60) which directly transmits data detected by the wheel speed sensor (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d).