Brake Hydraulic Control Unit Without a Dedicated Wake-Up Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic pressure control units face challenges in reducing size due to the need for a wakeup terminal, which limits flexibility in layout and mounting, especially in straddle-type vehicles, and also in four-wheeled motor vehicles with reduced engine room space and increased components.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic pressure control unit that switches modes between operation and sleep based on input signals to existing control terminals, eliminating the need for a dedicated wakeup terminal, allowing for a smaller connector and overall unit size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated wakeup terminal is added to switch from sleep mode to operation mode, then the control unit can reliably wake up, but the connector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewake-up reliabilityVSAvoidconnector size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing control terminals serve dual functions: their original control function and wake-up trigger function. By monitoring signals on existing control terminals, the control unit can detect wake-up requests without adding dedicated wake-up terminals, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding increased connector size.

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

2Reliability

If a dedicated wakeup terminal is added to the connector, then the control unit can be reliably activated, but the overall unit size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol unit size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control terminals are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - their primary control function and a secondary wake-up trigger function. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated wake-up terminals and reduces the overall control unit size while maintaining reliable mode switching.

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

3Ease of operation

If a dedicated wakeup terminal is provided, then the control unit can respond to wake-up signals, but the layout flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewake-up signal receptionVSAvoidlayout flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By making existing control terminals multi-functional (serving both control and wake-up purposes), the patent eliminates dedicated wake-up terminal connections. This reduces wiring complexity and improves layout flexibility, allowing the control unit to be mounted in various positions while maintaining reliable wake-up signal reception.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4442521B1Hydraulic control unit and vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4442521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442521B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to achieve, in a hydraulic pressure control unit that controls the pressure of brake fluid of a braking device configured to brake a vehicle, the hydraulic pressure control unit capable of reducing its size as compared to an existing hydraulic pressure control unit. A hydraulic pressure control unit according to the present invention is a hydraulic pressure control unit that controls the pressure of brake fluid of a braking device configured to brake a vehicle, the hydraulic pressure control unit including: a control device that is configured to control the pressure; and a connector that is connected to an in-vehicle network, in which the control device includes a mode switching part that is configured to switch a mode between an operation mode and a sleep mode, the operation mode is a mode in which control on the pressure is executed, the sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is suppressed as compared to that in the operation mode, the connector includes a terminal that accepts input of a control signal used for the control on the pressure, and the mode switching part has such a configuration as to switch the mode from the sleep mode to the operation mode once a signal is input to the terminal during the sleep mode.