Vehicle Brake Handle Inertial Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand-controlled interfaces for wheel brakes in vehicles face issues such as frequent sensor repair, environmental exposure leading to shorter component life, complex mechanical assemblies, space occupation, and difficulty in adapting to different regulatory environments.
Innovation Solution
An operator interface with inertial sensors and a controller housed within a handle that generates command signals for brake application or release, eliminating mechanical contact and using magnetic sensors for redundancy, while providing visual feedback with lower power components and reduced assembly time and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical contact sensors are used in hand-controlled interfaces, then the interface can detect handle movement, but the sensors are subject to wear and require frequent repair or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with inertial sensors that detect handle movement through acceleration and velocity measurements without physical contact. This eliminates wear from mechanical contact while maintaining the ability to detect operator inputs, thereby improving sensor durability and reducing maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inertial sensors as an intermediary between the handle movement and the brake control system. These sensors use non-contact methods (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to detect movement, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct mechanical contact between sensing elements and moving parts, thus reducing wear
2Device complexity
If sensors and electronic components are exposed to the surrounding environment, then the interface can be simpler in structure, but the life of the sensors and related components is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sealed housing or enclosure that protects inertial sensors and electronic components from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and temperature extremes. This protective shell allows the components to be shielded without significantly increasing interface complexity, thereby extending component life while maintaining design simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a protected internal environment for sensors and electronics, isolating them from harmful external conditions. This may involve sealing the component housing and potentially using desiccants or corrosion-resistant materials to maintain an inert-like environment, extending component lifespan without major structural additions
3Reliability
If multiple types of sensors are used for redundancy, then safety requirements are met, but complex mechanical assemblies are required to translate operator movement into simultaneous mechanical actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical assemblies with electronic signal processing. Multiple inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) provide redundant detection of handle movement, and their signals are processed electronically to determine brake control commands, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while maintaining safety redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multi-functional inertial sensors that can detect multiple parameters (acceleration, velocity, orientation) simultaneously. A single inertial sensor system serves multiple sensing functions that would otherwise require separate mechanical sensors, reducing assembly complexity while providing redundant safety detection
4Reliability
If conventional hand-controlled interfaces are designed with substantial assembly requirements, then the interface can be robust, but the assembly time and space occupied are substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inertial sensors, electronic components, and signal processing circuitry into an integrated module or single housing unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate assembly steps while maintaining robustness through integrated mounting and wiring, thereby reducing overall assembly time without sacrificing reliability
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 solution enhances the durability and adaptability of the interface, reduces maintenance needs, and simplifies assembly and space usage, while enabling easy adaptation to various regulatory environments and providing effective visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial sensor disposed within the handle and configured to generate an inertial measurement signal indicative of a value of an inertial measurement associated with movement of the handle and the inertial sensor between the neutral position and the input position
Data Source
AI summary
An operator interface for a wheel brake control system in a vehicle includes a handle configured for coupling to a fixed reference frame in the vehicle. The handle is configured for movement relative to the fixed reference frame about a pivot axis between a neutral position and one or more input positions. One or more inertial sensors are disposed within the handle. Each sensor is configured to generate an inertial measurement signal indicative of a value of a corresponding inertial measurement associated with movement of the handle and the sensor between the neutral position and the input positions. A controller disposed within the handle is configured to generate an operator command signal responsive to the inertial measurement signals. The operator command signal is configured to cause application or release of a brake in the vehicle.