Automated Brake Force Release on Inclined Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated brake control systems for vehicles on inclined surfaces, such as hill descent control, often cause driver discomfort due to unpredictable acceleration, as they fail to account for variations in drive torque conditions and surface inclines effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system with a controller that determines the drive torque condition by considering the vehicle's engine type, transmission gear, and surface slope, allowing for a selective and controlled reduction of brake force to ensure consistent acceleration from a standstill, using information from sensors and driver inputs to adjust brake pressure accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If automated brake control systems maintain vehicle speed on inclined surfaces, then vehicle speed control is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates due to unpredictable acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of brake force reduction rate based on detected drive torque conditions. When high drive torque is detected, the system applies a slower brake force reduction rate, and when low drive torque is detected, it applies a faster brake force reduction rate, thereby maintaining predictable acceleration across different engine conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors that detect drive torque conditions (engine type, transmission gear, throttle position) to dynamically adjust the brake force reduction rate. This closed-loop control ensures the vehicle accelerates predictably by continuously monitoring and responding to actual drive torque conditions
2Productivity
If brake force is rapidly reduced to allow vehicle acceleration from standstill, then productivity is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates causing unexpected rapid acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the brake force reduction rate based on real-time drive torque conditions rather than using a fixed reduction rate. This dynamic control allows the vehicle to accelerate efficiently while maintaining stability by adapting the brake release speed to match the actual torque available from the powertrain
3Device complexity
If brake control system does not account for drive torque variations, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to inconsistent acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach by leveraging existing sensor data from the vehicle's powertrain management system (engine type, transmission gear, throttle position) to determine drive torque conditions. This universal use of available data avoids adding complex dedicated torque sensors while achieving precise acceleration control
Data Source
AI summary
An system for controlling vehicle movement includes a brake assembly configured to selectively resist movement of the vehicle. A controller selectively controls a brake force applied by the brake assembly. The controller is configured to determine a drive torque condition when the vehicle is stationary on an inclined surface. The controller selectively controls a rate of automatically reducing the brake force dependent on the determined drive torque condition to allow the vehicle to accelerate.