Brake Controller Inflection Point for Hybrid Vehicle Energy Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid and electric vehicles require a system to control both frictional and regenerative brakes effectively, maintaining a linear and consistent braking feel, as existing systems often struggle with inconsistent application due to manufacturing variations and user input.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with a brake controller that determines an inflection position of the brake pedal, initiating regenerative braking based on this position to ensure consistent energy capture and application of frictional brakes, thereby maximizing regenerative energy use while maintaining a linear braking force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is used to capture energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but braking consistency and linearity deteriorate due to manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inflection point threshold parameter based on real-time brake pressure measurements. By learning and adapting the inflection point where friction brakes begin to apply pressure, the system compensates for manufacturing variations and ensures consistent regenerative braking application across different vehicles and operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a single brake pedal controls both regenerative and frictional brakes, then pedal configuration is maintained, but control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake controller acts as an intermediary between the driver's pedal input and the dual brake systems. It monitors brake pressure as an intermediate parameter and uses this information to determine when to transition from regenerative to frictional braking, enabling precise control of both systems through a single pedal interface.
3Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is applied early, then energy capture is maximized, but braking feel non-linearity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors brake pressure and uses this feedback to determine the optimal inflection point for transitioning between regenerative and frictional braking. By adapting to actual brake pressure conditions rather than using fixed thresholds, the system maximizes energy capture while maintaining linear and predictable braking feel for the driver.
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
The system ensures consistent and linear braking force application, minimizing vehicle-to-vehicle variations and optimizing regenerative energy capture, providing a smooth blending of regenerative and frictional brakes for improved efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The regenerative brake system is capable of capturing and storing the vehicle's kinetic energy to also provide vehicle braking
Implementation Method 2
Friction brakes convert the vehicle's momentum in to heat; the energy is not recoverable
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system and a regenerative brake system and a method of controlling the same is provided. The brake system may include a brake pedal having a range of motion and configured to control the application of the hydraulic brake system based upon a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion. The brake system may further include a brake controller configured to determine an inflection position of the brake pedal, the inflection position being a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion when the hydraulic brake system begins to apply a brake pressure over a predetermined threshold, wherein the brake controller applies the regenerative brake system based upon inflection position.