Vehicle Brake System Collision Stabilization via Wheel Speed Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake systems in vehicles fail to effectively minimize the consequences of an accident by stabilizing the vehicle and reducing destabilizing effects after a collision, particularly when wheels are jammed due to deformation, leading to uncontrolled swerving or loss of stability.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines if a collision has occurred and checks for reduced wheel speed, initiating driver-independent braking to stabilize the vehicle by braking other wheels, with the option to lock opposite wheels on the same axle to counteract yaw moments, and using sensors to assess collision direction and severity for targeted braking interventions, including automatically closing the brake valve of a potentially damaged wheel to maintain brake pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If driver-independent braking intervention is carried out to stabilize the vehicle after collision, then vehicle stability is improved, but the complexity of the brake system control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidbrake system control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of collision events and wheel speed changes before full braking intervention is needed. By detecting wheel speed reductions that indicate jammed wheels and calculating yaw moments in advance, the system prepares stabilization measures proactively, improving vehicle stability while managing control complexity through phased intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors wheel speeds, compares them against threshold values, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust braking interventions. The control unit calculates yaw moments based on wheel speed differences and adjusts brake pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that stabilizes the vehicle while adapting to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the brake pressure is increased to counteract yaw moment from jammed wheel, then vehicle directional stability is improved, but the risk of wheel lock and loss of steerability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional stabilityVSAvoidvehicle steerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies braking forces locally and selectively to specific wheels based on their individual conditions. When a wheel is jammed, the system applies brake pressure primarily to the opposite wheel on the same axle to counteract the yaw moment, rather than applying uniform braking to all wheels. This localized approach restores directional stability while preserving steerability of non-affected wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial braking action only to the extent necessary to counteract the yaw moment caused by the jammed wheel. By calculating the specific yaw moment and applying proportional brake pressure to counterwheels, the system uses just enough braking force to stabilize direction without excessive pressure that would cause wheel lock and lose steerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wheel speed is reduced to match the jammed wheel speed, then vehicle stability is improved, but the overall vehicle speed and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the braking intervention by wheel, applying speed reduction only to specific wheels that are causing instability rather than reducing speed of all wheels. By identifying jammed wheels through speed threshold comparison and applying targeted braking to counterwheels, the system stabilizes the vehicle while maintaining higher speeds on unaffected wheels, thus preserving overall vehicle productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 method reduces the destabilizing effects of a jammed wheel by controlling vehicle dynamics, preventing uncontrolled swerving and maintaining stability, while ensuring sufficient brake pressure is maintained for safe vehicle stopping.

Implementation Method 1

a driver-independent brake intervention is carried out and at least one other wheel in the vehicle is braked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2158112B1Method for adjusting a brake system in a vehicle in the event of a collision
Publication Date: 2013.05.22 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2158112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2158112B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a method for adjusting a brake system in a vehicle, a collision of the vehicle is detected and a driver-independent brake intervention is performed. In a first step, it is checked after the collision whether the rotational wheel speed of a wheel is reduced, for example by jamming in the wheel house, whereupon in a second step at least one second wheel in the vehicle is braked in order to prevent uncontrolled break-away of the vehicle.