Brake-Release Torque Timing for Wear-Safe Vehicle Take-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contemporary automated brake-release systems in vehicles often apply propulsion torque concurrently with braking torque due to open-loop control, leading to excessive wear on the vehicle's powertrain and brakes, particularly in vehicles performing frequent stop-and-go operations.

Innovation Solution

A controller is implemented to determine take-off intent, initiating brake release and inhibiting propulsion torque for a finite time period to ensure the brake is fully released before applying propulsion torque, thereby reducing concurrent torque application and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automated brake-release systems are implemented, then convenience and safety are improved, but wear on powertrain and brakes increases due to concurrent torque application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated brake-releaseVSAvoidwear on powertrain and brakes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller inhibits propulsion torque application during a finite time period that corresponds to the brake release duration, ensuring the brake is fully released before propulsion torque is applied. This preliminary timing adjustment prevents concurrent torque application and reduces wear on powertrain and brake components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If brake release time is extended to ensure complete release, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to longer delay before propulsion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete brake releaseVSAvoidtake-off response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller uses a predetermined finite time period parameter that corresponds to the actual brake release duration. By optimizing this time parameter, the system ensures complete brake release (improving reliability) while minimizing the delay before propulsion torque application (maintaining productivity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If open-loop control is used for brake-release, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful effects occur due to inability to prevent concurrent torque application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol systemVSAvoidconcurrent torque application

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The open-loop control system preemptively inhibits propulsion torque during the predetermined finite time period corresponding to brake release. This preliminary action prevents concurrent torque application without requiring complex feedback sensors or closed-loop control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while eliminating harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12612028B2Propulsion torque control during brake-release in a vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A controller for a vehicle, configured to determine a take-off intent, and, in response to determining the take-off intent, i) initiate a release of a brake for at least one wheel or wheel axle of the vehicle, and ii) inhibit an application of propulsion torque to the at least one wheel or wheel axle during a finite time period (TR) related to a time required for releasing the brake. Provided is also an automated brake-release system including such a controller, a vehicle, a method, computer program product and computer-readable storage medium.