Electric Hydraulic Brake Redundancy in a Single Controller Package

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric hydraulic brake systems face space and part limitations when configured in a 2-box type, making it difficult to install redundant brake systems and connect controllers, which can lead to safety issues due to potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A dual-controller design within a single mechanical package, where the electric hydraulic brake system includes a master cylinder, hydraulic circuits, and solenoid valves, allowing the system to generate braking force using either the front or rear wheel hydraulic circuit and electronic parking brake in case of controller malfunction, ensuring redundancy and reduced installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a brake system is configured in a 2-box type to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake system redundancyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two controller units into a single integrated controller that can perform both normal dual-controller operations and degraded single-controller operations. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate physical packages while maintaining redundancy capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated controller is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both normal mode (with dual-controller redundancy) and degraded mode (with single-controller operation). This universal design allows the system to adapt to different operational states without requiring separate hardware configurations, thereby improving reliability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a brake system is configured in a 2-box type to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but installation space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake system redundancyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate controller packages into one integrated controller unit, thereby halving the installation space requirement while maintaining the redundancy functionality. This merging directly addresses the contradiction between reliability and installation space by achieving both goals within a single physical package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional space and parts are provided to connect two controllers through pipes in a 2-box type configuration, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation space worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake system redundancyVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated controller eliminates the need for additional connection pipes and intermediate parts between two separate controllers. By merging the controller functions into a single unit, the patent reduces the quantity of parts while maintaining redundancy, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and the number of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design implements redundancy in the brake system, reducing installation space and manufacturing costs while maintaining approximately 65% performance in degraded modes, enabling continued vehicle stability through ESC and ABS functions even with controller failures.

Implementation Method 1

a master cylinder connected to the reservoir and configured to generate hydraulic pressure in cooperation with a motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure generation: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of solenoid valves; a first controller configured to control the motor, the front and read wheel hydraulic circuits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP4169784B1Electric hydraulic brake
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4169784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4169784B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4169784B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electric hydraulic brake including: a plurality of wheel brakes configured to supply braking force to wheels of a vehicle; a reservoir storing brake oil; a master cylinder connected to the reservoir and configured to generate hydraulic pressure in cooperation with a motor; a hydraulic circuit configured to selectively transmit the hydraulic pressure to the plurality of wheel brakes, the hydraulic circuit including a front wheel hydraulic circuit to transmit the hydraulic pressure to a pair of front wheel brakes, a rear wheel hydraulic circuit to transmit the hydraulic pressure to a pair of rear wheel brakes, and a plurality of solenoid valves; a first controller configured to control the motor and the hydraulic circuit in accordance with braking input; and a second controller configured to control the motor and the front wheel hydraulic circuit when the first controller malfunctions.