Electro-Mechanical Brake Redundancy for Fault-Tolerant Wheel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-mechanical brake systems in vehicles are vulnerable to damage or errors in the electrical system, particularly due to voltage drops and overheating, lacking redundancy in power circuits, sensors, and processors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a redundant system with auxiliary processors on each wheel that can independently control motors in case of a main processor failure, along with separate power sources and communication networks for each processor, ensures continuous braking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electro-mechanical brake apparatus is used to provide braking torque to the wheel, then the braking performance is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to damage or errors in the electrical system
Solution Approach 1:
The brake apparatus is divided into multiple independent modules, each with its own processor and power source. The first processor controls the first motor independently, and the second processor controls the second motor independently. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one module does not affect the other modules, thereby improving reliability while reducing sensitivity to electrical system damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates redundant components including a second processor and second power source as backup for the first processor and first power source. These redundant elements are prepared in advance to cushion against potential failures, ensuring continuous braking functionality even when electrical system damage occurs.
2Reliability
If redundancy is provided for electrical devices such as power circuit, sensor, and processor, then the system resilience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant components are organized into separate, independent modules. Each module has its own processor and power source, allowing the redundancy to be managed in a structured manner. This segmentation reduces the perceived complexity by providing clear modular boundaries and independent failure zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The second processor and second power source serve dual purposes: they can independently control the second motor for normal braking operations, and they serve as backup for the first processor and first power source respectively. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated backup components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake apparatus includes a first motor associated with a first brake for braking a first wheel, a first drive controlling a driving current of the first motor to brake the first wheel, a second motor associated with a second brake for braking a second wheel, a second drive controlling a driving current of the second motor to brake the second wheel, a first processor integrated with the first drive and receiving an output of a first pedal sensor detecting movement of a brake pedal, and a second processor integrated with the second drive and receiving an output of a second pedal sensor detecting the movement of the brake pedal. The first processor transmits a brake signal to the first drive based on the output of the first pedal sensor. The second processor transmits a brake signal to the second drive based on the output of the second pedal sensor.