Brake Failure Handling Using ECU Transfer and Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking systems in heavy-duty vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently handling failures in braking arrangement components, such as brake ECUs, actuators, and sensors, which can compromise vehicle safety and control.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry is configured to detect failures in braking arrangements and handle them by transferring control to an assisting ECU, increasing brake pressure, or using motion information from neighboring vehicles to control braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle uses a conventional braking arrangement without failure handling mechanisms, then the braking system structure remains simple, but vehicle safety and control are compromised when failures occur in brake ECUs, actuators, or sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary failure detection by monitoring the operational status of brake ECUs, actuators, and sensors before failures compromise safety. When failures are detected, the system proactively activates alternative braking arrangements, preventing unsafe conditions rather than reacting after accidents occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the braking arrangement by switching between different ECU configurations (single ECU mode, dual ECU mode, and assisted ECU mode). When a failure is detected, the system dynamically reconfigures which ECUs are active and how they interact, maintaining reliability through parameter changes rather than structural modifications.
2Reliability
If the vehicle implements comprehensive failure detection and handling mechanisms, then vehicle safety during failures is improved, but the complexity of the braking control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake ECUs are designed with multi-functionality to handle both normal braking operations and failure recovery operations. The same ECU that controls braking under normal conditions also performs failure detection, status monitoring, and alternative braking control when failures occur, eliminating the need for separate dedicated failure handling hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system implements self-service through automatic failure detection and self-correction. When a failure is detected in a brake ECU, actuator, or sensor, the system automatically reconfigures itself without requiring manual intervention, using the remaining functional components to maintain braking capability and safety.
3Reliability
If the system transfers control to an assisting ECU upon brake ECU failure, then braking control is maintained during failures, but the communication and control protocols become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary communication protocol that allows any brake ECU to assume the role of the primary controlling ECU. When a failure occurs, the assisting ECU becomes the intermediary that receives brake requests and distributes control signals to the remaining functional actuators, maintaining control without requiring complex vehicle-to-vehicle communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system has processing circuitry to handle failures associated with a braking arrangement of a vehicle. The processing circuitry determines failures of the braking arrangement. When the failures are associated with a brake ECU, the processing circuitry sends a message to an assisting ECU. The message is indicative of a transfer of control of at least part of the braking arrangement. When the failures are associated with brake actuators, the processing circuitry is configured to trigger an increase in brake pressure to be provided by operational brake actuators. When the failures are associated with a brake pedal or a brake pedal sensor, the processing circuitry is configured to obtain motion information of a neighboring vehicle and control the braking arrangement based on said motion information.