Automatic Braking Failure Detection via Deceleration Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated braking systems in vehicles cannot achieve 100% robustness and effectiveness, leading to safety hazards due to potential failures that may result in insufficient or no deceleration during collisions.

Innovation Solution

An automatic braking system with a failure detection and correction function that uses object coordinates and vehicle speed to calculate a desired deceleration, comparing it to the deceleration request from the automatic braking function to determine if a failure exists, and takes corrective action to avoid collisions by decelerating the vehicle based on the shorter stopping distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If automated braking function is implemented, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision riskVSAvoidbraking system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a failure detection and correction function that operates independently of the automatic braking function to detect and correct failures before they lead to collisions. This function calculates desired deceleration based on object coordinates and vehicle speed, compares it with the deceleration request from the automatic braking function, and takes corrective action if a failure is detected, thereby cushioning against potential braking failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary failure detection and correction function that mediates between the automatic braking function and the braking units. This intermediary function independently calculates desired deceleration, monitors the automatic braking function's performance, and intervenes to ensure sufficient braking force is applied, preventing the automatic braking function's failures from directly causing collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If independent failure detection function is added, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking system reliabilityVSAvoidbraking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The failure detection and correction function is integrated within the brake actuator module, which also controls the braking units and receives input from the automatic braking function. This multi-functional design allows the same module to perform both automatic braking control and failure detection/correction, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The brake actuator module performs self-diagnosis through the failure detection and correction function, which independently monitors its own operation by comparing desired deceleration with actual deceleration requests. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate external monitoring systems, reducing complexity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3684658B1Method of detecting and correcting the failure of automatic braking system
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC
  • EP3684658B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3684658B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3684658B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A failure detection and correction function which is able to detect a failure of an automatic braking system, and provide a corrected action. The failure detection and correction function is independent of the automatic braking function. The failure detection and correction function uses object coordinates and the speed of the vehicle to determine the collision risk, and then calculates a desired deceleration if there is imminent collision. The function uses desired deceleration to compare to a deceleration request from automatic braking function to determine if there is a failure. The failure detection and correction function takes corrected action to avoid the collision if the automatic braking function has failed.