Brake Pedal Return Speed Control for Autonomous Braking Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake pedal feedback systems often produce disturbing noises during autonomous braking, which can be complex to mitigate through structural mechanical adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the speed and duration of brake pedal return based on specific vehicle situation parameters, such as speed and standstill, to optimize noise reduction, allowing for noise-reduced feedback only when necessary, thereby reducing annoying noises without compromising driver braking performance or comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the brake pedal returns quickly to its starting position, then the braking response time is improved, but disturbing noises are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pedal return timeVSAvoidbrake pedal noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pedal return speed is made dynamically adjustable based on the braking situation. The control unit varies the return speed between a first speed (faster) and a second speed (slower) depending on whether the braking was manual or autonomous, thereby optimizing both response time and noise reduction in different contexts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the speed parameter of brake pedal return based on the detected braking type. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system achieves different return characteristics - faster return for manual braking and slower return for autonomous braking - to balance performance and acoustic comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the brake pedal return speed is reduced to minimize noise, then acoustic comfort is improved, but braking performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pedal noiseVSAvoidbraking performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the return speed based on the braking situation. For manual braking where performance is critical, a faster return speed is used. For autonomous braking where the driver has no contact with the pedal, a slower return speed is used to reduce noise, thereby maintaining reliability while improving acoustic comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-generated harmful factors

If mechanical modifications are made to reduce brake pedal noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pedal noiseVSAvoidmechanical modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical noise reduction modifications with an electronic control system. The control unit adjusts the return speed of the brake pedal through electronic control of the brake booster, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence to achieve noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the mechanical structure, the system changes the operational parameter (return speed) of the existing brake pedal mechanism. This parameter-based approach achieves noise reduction without adding mechanical complexity or modifying the physical structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3932755B1Method and system for the retraction of a brake pedal
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3932755B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3932755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for returning a brake pedal (2) in a vehicle (1), wherein the following steps are performed: - Performing a detection (101) of a deactivation of an automatic brake request, - Performing a detection (102) of at least one situation parameter (200) which is specific for a current situation of the vehicle (1), - Performing a setting (103) of a speed (v) of the return of the brake pedal (2) depending on the at least one detected situation parameter (200) and the detected deactivation.