Brake Pedal Feedback With Backup Sensing for Non-Pneumatic Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles without a pneumatic brake system, there is a need for alternative means to provide resistance or counter force in the foot brake pedal, allowing drivers to experience a similar braking sensation without pneumatic pressure, ensuring safe and effective braking.
Innovation Solution
A foot brake device with a foot brake pedal and sensors that generate an electric control signal, coupled with spring or damping elements to create a proportional counter force, mimicking the feel of pneumatic resistance, and an independent backup sensor system for non-pneumatic brake actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic brake system is used, then the driver receives pneumatic resistance feedback indicating braking strength, but the system complexity increases and requires compressors and pneumatic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic resistance feedback system with an electromechanical system. A force sensor detects the driver's pedal force, and an actuator generates an opposing force to provide tactile feedback. This substitution eliminates compressors and pneumatic components while maintaining the essential braking feedback function through electrical and mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a force sensor and control unit as intermediaries between the driver's pedal input and the brake actuation system. The force sensor measures the driver's input, the control unit processes this information, and the actuator provides feedback force. This intermediary system enables precise control and feedback without requiring a full pneumatic system.
2Device complexity
If a purely electronic brake system is used, then the system is simplified for electrical vehicles, but the driver loses the tactile sensation of pneumatic resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary component between the electronic control system and the brake pedal. This actuator generates a feedback force that opposes the driver's pedal input, providing tactile sensation. The actuator serves as a mediator that translates electronic control signals into physical feedback, maintaining the driver's tactile connection to the braking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where a force sensor detects the driver's pedal force, the control unit processes this information, and an actuator generates an opposing feedback force. This closed-loop feedback system provides the driver with tactile information about braking strength, improving ease of operation while maintaining system simplicity.
3Force
If pneumatic pressure is used to actuate brakes, then strong braking force is achieved, but the system requires pressurized air generation and distribution infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic pressure generation and distribution system with an electromechanical actuator. The actuator directly generates the necessary brake actuation force through electrical power, eliminating the need for compressors, air tanks, and pneumatic piping infrastructure while maintaining adequate braking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake actuator is designed to generate its own actuation force electrically, without requiring external pneumatic infrastructure. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's electrical system to power the actuator, which directly produces the mechanical force needed for brake actuation, eliminating dependency on separate pressurized air systems.
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
Enables a familiar braking experience for drivers without pneumatic systems, ensuring safe and proportional braking through electric control signals and mechanical counter forces, with a backup system for reliability in case of primary system failure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element (20, 30) to generate a counter force for the foot brake pedal
Implementation Method 2
a first foot brake sensor (60) being coupled with the foot brake pedal, wherein the first foot brake sensor (60) is configured to determine a respective position of the foot brake pedal upon activation
Implementation Method 3
a second foot brake sensor (70) being coupled with the foot brake pedal, wherein the second foot brake sensor (70) is configured to determine a respective position of the foot brake pedal upon activation
Data Source
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AI summary
Afoot brake device for vehicles, particularly utility vehicles or commercial vehicles, comprises a foot brake pedal (5) for activation by the driver of the vehicle, and a first and/or a second foot brake sensor (60, 70) being coupled with the foot brake pedal (5), wherein the first and/or second foot brake sensor (60, 70) are configured to determine a respective position of the foot brake pedal (5) upon activation thereof by the driver, and wherein the first and/or second foot brake sensor (60, 70) are configured to generate a first and/or a second electric control signal corresponding to said position of the foot brake pedal (5). The second foot brake sensor (70) functions as a back-up sensor in case of failure of the first foot brake sensor (60). The foot brake device further comprises at least one member (20, 30, 40) which is configured to generate a physical counter force against which the foot brake pedal (5) must work upon its activation by the driver, wherein the amount of said counter force is substantially proportional to the degree of activation of the foot brake pedal (5) by the driver and indicates the degree of activation of the foot brake pedal (5) to the driver. The counter force generating members comprise a first spring element (20) and a second spring element (30, 40) with different characteristics. The foot brake device further comprises a first and/or a second electronic control device (80, 90), wherein the first and/or second electric control signal generated by the first and/or second foot brake sensor (60, 70) is received by the first and/or second electronic control device (80, 90) which generates a third and/or fourth electric control signal which activates at least one brake actuator (110, 120, 130, 140) to brake the vehicle in an amount corresponding to the degree of activation of the foot brake pedal (5) by the driver.