Brake Assist Backup Using Accelerator Torque When EBB Fails
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric brake boost (EBB) systems in vehicles may become inoperable, leading to inadequate braking forces when the driver's braking demand is not properly met, especially in situations where the EBB system fails or malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a brake pedal position sensor, a braking torque module, an accelerator pedal position sensor, and a brake augmenter. The system provides negative torque to the wheels based on the brake pedal position when the EBB system is operable and uses the accelerator pedal position sensor to generate both negative and positive torque inputs when the EBB system is inoperable, allowing for alternative braking and propulsion control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an EBB system is used to increase braking force, then braking performance is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential inoperability
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a backup braking mode that is prepared in advance through the brake augmenter. When the EBB system becomes inoperable, the brake augmenter detects the failure condition and automatically activates an alternative braking mechanism that uses the accelerator pedal position sensor to generate braking torque, ensuring continuous braking capability without complete system failure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the accelerator pedal by reconfiguring its function. In normal operation, the accelerator pedal generates positive torque for acceleration. When EBB fails, the system modifies the pedal's parameter mapping so that the same pedal positions generate negative torque for braking, allowing the accelerator pedal to serve as a brake control input
2Device complexity
If the EBB system is inoperable, then system complexity is reduced, but braking performance deteriorates due to inadequate braking forces
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal is designed with multi-functionality. It serves its primary function of controlling acceleration through the positive torque module, but also serves as a backup brake control input through the brake augmenter. This universal design allows the same component to fulfill multiple functions, maintaining braking performance without adding dedicated backup hardware
3Ease of operation
If the accelerator pedal is used for braking when EBB is inoperable, then ease of operation is improved, but torque control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake augmenter acts as an intermediary component between the accelerator pedal position sensor and the braking torque generation. It receives the accelerator pedal position signal and processes it through a dedicated control algorithm that maps pedal positions to appropriate braking torque levels, ensuring precise torque control despite the unconventional input source
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system may include a brake pedal position sensor, a braking torque module, an accelerator pedal position sensor, and a brake augmenter. The brake pedal position sensor is operably coupled to a brake pedal to determine a brake pedal position responsive to actuation of the brake pedal by an operator. The braking torque module is operably coupled to wheels of the vehicle to provide negative torque to the wheels based on the brake pedal position when an EBB system is in an operable state. The accelerator pedal position sensor is operably coupled to an accelerator pedal to determine accelerator pedal position for generation of positive torque to the wheels based on the accelerator pedal position when the EBB system is in the operable state. The brake augmenter is operably coupled to the accelerator pedal position sensor to provide a negative torque input to the wheels responsive to the accelerator pedal position sensor indicating a first range of pedal positions and a positive torque input to the wheels responsive to the accelerator pedal position sensor indicating a second range of pedal positions when the EBB system is in an inoperable state.