Brake Control Module Plausibility Check for Parking Brake Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incorrect coding in vehicle brake control systems can lead to unintentional swapping of control modules, potentially causing component damage in the parking brake system due to different current/voltage strengths, which existing technologies fail to prevent effectively.

Innovation Solution

A test arrangement with a swap plausibility check is implemented to detect incorrect coding, generating a warning signal and preventing activation of the parking brake system to avoid component damage, ensuring the correct control module is activated for the installed parking brake system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If coding is performed to activate the appropriate control module for the installed parking brake system, then the brake control system can be properly configured for the specific vehicle type, but incorrect coding may occur leading to component damage due to mismatched control modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding adaptabilityVSAvoidcoding accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The test unit performs a plausibility check for interchanges before the coding process completes, verifying that the activated control module matches the installed parking brake system type. This preliminary verification prevents incorrect coding from taking effect and causing component damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The test unit continuously monitors the coding process and provides feedback by comparing the activated control module with the installed parking brake system configuration. When a mismatch is detected, the system generates a warning signal and can deactivate the parking brake system to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the brake control system includes both first and second control modules to support different parking brake system types, then the system can accommodate various vehicle configurations, but the complexity of the control unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plausibility check functionality is extracted as a separate test unit within the control unit, distinct from the main control logic. This separation allows the control unit to maintain multiple control modules for different parking brake systems while isolating the verification function to prevent complexity from propagating throughout the entire control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the test unit deactivates the parking brake system upon detecting incorrect coding, then component damage is prevented, but the parking brake system becomes non-functional until the coding error is corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidsystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The test unit applies preliminary anti-action by deactivating the parking brake system only after detecting incorrect coding through the plausibility check. This protective deactivation prevents component damage but temporarily reduces system availability until the coding error is corrected at the manufacturing plant or workshop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4119406B1Test arrangement for the functional testing of a vehicle brake control system
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 AUDI AG
  • EP4119406B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119406B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119406B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a test arrangement for functional testing of a brake control system in a vehicle in which either a first parking brake system (EPBI) or a second parking brake system (DSE) can be installed, wherein the brake control system comprises a control unit (16) with a first control module (22) for controlling the first parking brake system (EPBI) and with a second control module (24) for controlling the second parking brake system (DSE), and wherein either the first control module (22) or the second control module (24) can be activated by means of a coding unit (29) to control the associated parking brake system, while the inactive control module remains inactive. According to the invention, the brake control system includes a test unit (41) with which a plausibility check can be performed to verify whether the correct control module for the installed parking brake system is activated.