Brake System Redundancy via Segmented Control Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for motor vehicles lack redundancy and fail-safety features, leading to potential operational failures and increased driver effort in case of defects, particularly when the brake pressure source fails.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of two independent control circuits for the brake system, each controlling specific valves of the wheel brakes, providing redundancy and ensuring continued functionality even if one control circuit fails, allowing for distributed brake force and maintaining ABS and ESP functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single control circuit is used for the brake system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into two independent control circuits (first control circuit and second control circuit), each capable of independently controlling the brake pressure source and wheel brakes. This segmentation provides redundancy so that if one control circuit fails, the other can still maintain brake functionality, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements fail-safe mechanisms where the brake system is designed to automatically switch to a safe operating mode upon detecting a failure in one control circuit. The second control circuit is prepared in advance to take over control functions, cushioning against the potential harm of control circuit failure and maintaining operational safety.
2Ease of operation
If the brake pressure source fails, then the brake system loses its primary function, but the driver effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuits act as intermediaries between the driver's brake input and the brake pressure source. When the brake pressure source fails, the control circuits can detect the failure and switch to alternative operating modes, mediating the transition smoothly to maintain brake functionality with minimal increase in driver effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system incorporates self-diagnosis and self-adjustment capabilities through the control circuits. When a failure is detected, the system automatically adjusts its operation to maintain safety, reducing the burden on the driver without requiring manual intervention or significant additional effort.
3Reliability
If redundancy is implemented in the brake system, then the fail-safety improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent control circuits that share common components (brake pressure source, wheel brakes) but have separate control pathways. This segmentation achieves redundancy without duplicating the entire system, balancing fail-safety with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Both control circuits are designed with universal functionality to perform the same brake control tasks. Each circuit can independently control the brake pressure source and monitor wheel brakes, allowing either circuit to take over in case of failure. This multi-functionality provides redundancy while avoiding the need for specialized components for each circuit.
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 configuration ensures a high level of redundancy and fail-safety, allowing the brake system to remain operational with reduced driver effort during failures, maintaining ABS and potentially ESP functionalities depending on the failed circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a source of brake pressure and at least one first wheel brake and at least one second wheel brake that can be acted on with a brake pressure supplied by means of the brake pressure source
Implementation Method 2
the first wheel brake is fluidically connected at a first inlet valve and at a first outlet valve, which is fluidically parallel to the first inlet valve, and at a first separating valve via the first inlet valve
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system for a motor vehicle, having a brake pressure source and at least one first wheel brake and at least one second wheel brake, which can be acted on with a brake pressure supplied by the brake pressure source. The first wheel brake is fluidically connected at a first inlet valve and at a first outlet valve, which is fluidically parallel to the first inlet valve, and at a first separating valve via the first inlet valve, and the second wheel brake is fluidically connected at a second inlet valve and at a second outlet valve, which is fluidically parallel to the second inlet valve, and at a second separating valve via the second inlet valve.