Brake Wheel Sensor Layout for Redundant Multi-Circuit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems require redundant sensor setups with multiple speed sensors and complex wiring, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies, particularly in highly automated or autonomous driving scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with dual sensor elements on each vehicle axle, where output signals are directly transmitted to different control devices, allowing for redundant operation without additional switching apparatus, thereby reducing the need for double sensors and wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If eight speed sensors are installed (four per control device) to ensure redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each speed sensor is designed to serve multiple control devices simultaneously. The sensor output signals are distributed to both the first control device and the second control device, allowing a single sensor to fulfill redundant measurement functions for both stabilization systems without requiring separate sensor sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensor allocation for two independent control devices by having both devices share common speed sensor resources. Instead of dedicating separate sensors to each control device, the system combines sensor usage such that the same physical sensors provide input signals to multiple evaluation and control units, reducing the total sensor count from eight to six.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional switching devices are used to switch sensors between control devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces signal distribution units as intermediary components that receive outputs from speed sensors and distribute them to multiple evaluation and control units. These intermediaries enable flexible signal routing and fault tolerance without requiring complex switching mechanisms, as they provide a structured method for one-to-many signal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the signal distribution function by introducing intermediate distribution units that separate the direct connection between sensors and control devices. This segmentation allows the sensor output to be independently distributed to multiple control devices, improving fault tolerance while keeping the overall system structure manageable and avoiding complex switching apparatuses.
3Device complexity
If sensors are looped through the primary control device to the secondary control device, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to additional signal path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal distribution by introducing intermediate units that directly receive sensor outputs and distribute them to multiple control devices simultaneously. This eliminates the sequential looping approach where signals must pass through the primary control device first, thereby reducing signal transmission time while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly for a vehicle includes control devices having respective evaluation and control units, and sensor elements assigned to a respective brakeable wheel and one of the ECUs and record a physical variable of the associated wheel and output same as an output signal to the associated ECU. The control devices execute a brake function based on the recorded physical variables. A respective sensor element is arranged on the brakeable wheels of a first axle. The output signals thereof are output to different ECUs of a single control device. Two respective sensor elements are arranged on brakeable wheels of a second axle. The output signals thereof are output to other ECUs in different control devices. The ECUs of the first axle output the respective received output signal to an ECU of another control device, such that each control device receives the corresponding recorded physical variable from all wheels.