Vehicle Braking Failure Handling with ECU Backup and Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking arrangements in heavy-duty vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently handling failures, which can compromise the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry is configured to detect and handle failures in braking arrangements by transferring control to an assisting ECU, increasing brake pressure, or using motion information from neighboring vehicles to control braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle uses a conventional braking arrangement without failure handling mechanisms, then the braking system is simple in structure, but the safety and reliability of the vehicle deteriorates when failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary failure detection by continuously monitoring the braking arrangement components (brake ECU, brake actuators, brake pedal sensor) before actual braking failure occurs. When a failure is detected, the system proactively initiates alternative braking strategies by transferring control to an assisting ECU or redistributing brake pressure, preventing complete braking loss rather than reacting after failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry acts as an intermediary between the braking system components and the vehicle control. It receives status messages from various braking components, determines failures, and coordinates the failure handling by communicating with the assisting ECU or directly controlling brake actuators, thereby mediating the complex interactions during failure scenarios.
2Reliability
If the vehicle implements comprehensive failure detection and handling mechanisms, then the safety during failures improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction through automated failure detection and handling. The processing circuitry automatically monitors braking components, detects failures, and executes corrective actions (transferring control to assisting ECU or redistributing brake pressure) without requiring driver intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously obtains status messages from braking components and uses this feedback to determine failures and adjust braking control accordingly. The processing circuitry monitors the braking arrangement status in real-time and dynamically adjusts the braking strategy based on detected failures, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains safety without burdening the driver.
3Reliability
If the brake ECU transfers control to an assisting ECU during failure, then the braking control is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional control units
Solution Approach 1:
The assisting ECU is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a regular control unit during normal operation and as a backup braking controller during failures. This universal design allows the same hardware to perform multiple roles, reducing the need for dedicated backup systems and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining braking control continuity.
4Reliability
If the system increases brake pressure from operational actuators during actuator failure, then the braking effectiveness is maintained, but the stress on remaining actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
When brake actuator failure is detected, the system applies partial or excessive brake pressure to the remaining operational actuators to compensate for the failed one. This excessive action ensures that sufficient total braking force is maintained despite the failure, prioritizing braking effectiveness over individual actuator stress limits in emergency conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer system (700) comprising processing circuitry (702) configured to handle failures associated with a braking arrangement of a vehicle (1) is provided. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to determine failures of the braking arrangement. When the failures are associated with a brake ECU (20), the processing circuitry (702) is configured to send a message to an assisting ECU (50). The message is indicative of a transfer of control of at least part of the braking arrangement. When the failures are associated with brake actuators (40), the processing circuitry (702) is configured to trigger an increase in brake pressure to be provided by operational brake actuators (40). When the failures are associated with a brake pedal (60) or a brake pedal sensor (61), the processing circuitry (702) is configured to obtain motion information of a neighboring vehicle (2) and control the braking arrangement based on said motion information.