Regenerative Braking Feedback for Driver-Specific Deceleration Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Regenerative braking systems in vehicles face limitations in energy absorption and recovery due to varying driver styles and external conditions, requiring supplementary friction braking and unclear optimal braking strategies.

Innovation Solution

A regenerative braking system that stores deceleration profiles, compares current braking maneuvers with ideal profiles, and provides feedback to drivers through a dashboard interface to optimize energy recovery, learning and adapting to different conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If regenerative braking system is used to maximize energy recovery, then energy absorption capability is improved, but braking effectiveness and driver control are worsened due to limited absorption rate and varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidbraking effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines regenerative braking system and friction braking system into a unified braking system. The controller coordinates both systems to work together, allowing the regenerative system to maximize energy recovery while the friction system provides reliable braking effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between energy recovery and braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the interaction between regenerative and friction braking systems. It distributes braking effort between the two systems based on operating conditions, ensuring that energy recovery is maximized while maintaining reliable braking performance through friction supplementation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If friction braking system is deployed to supplement regenerative braking, then braking reliability is improved, but energy recovery is worsened due to energy dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking effectivenessVSAvoidenergy recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The friction braking system is deployed partially rather than fully, only when and where needed to supplement regenerative braking. The controller optimizes the distribution of braking effort to use friction braking minimally, just enough to maintain reliability while maximizing energy recovery by keeping regenerative braking as the primary mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the braking effort distribution parameters between regenerative and friction systems based on operating conditions such as vehicle speed, battery state of charge, and driver demand. This allows optimization of the balance between energy recovery and braking reliability across different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If brake control system distributes braking effort to maximize energy recovery, then energy absorption is improved, but driver control and braking feel are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoiddriver control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driver interface provides feedback to the driver about the current braking maneuver and compares it with stored deceleration profiles. This feedback mechanism helps the driver understand and adjust their braking behavior to achieve optimal energy recovery while maintaining acceptable driver control and braking feel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system learns from driver behavior and automatically adapts the deceleration profiles to match the driver's preferred braking style. This allows the system to maximize energy recovery according to each driver's individual preferences, improving both energy recovery and driver control simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of energy

If driver modifies braking style to maximize energy recovery, then energy absorption is improved, but driver convenience and adaptability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoiddriver convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically learns the driver's braking style and preferences through continuous monitoring and adapts the deceleration profiles accordingly. This eliminates the need for the driver to consciously modify their braking behavior, as the system does it automatically, thus improving energy recovery without compromising driver convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The deceleration profiles are dynamic and continuously adapt based on learned driver behavior and varying operating conditions. This allows the system to maintain optimal energy recovery across different driving scenarios while adapting to each driver's individual preferences, improving both energy absorption and driver adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances energy recovery by enabling drivers to adjust their braking efforts based on real-time feedback, improving the efficiency of regenerative braking and expanding the library of ideal deceleration profiles for future comparisons.

Implementation Method 1

using an electric traction motor in reverse, as a generator, to convert rotational kinetic energy from the vehicle's road wheels to electrical energy which is stored in an electrical battery on the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a conventional friction braking system... to convert rotational kinetic energy from the vehicle's road wheels to electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3576976B1Regenerative braking system
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 BENTLEY MOTORS
  • EP3576976B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3576976B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3576976B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A regenerative braking system for a vehicle includes a means 13 for storing details of one or more deceleration profiles for the vehicle; means for comparing 13, arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the or a selected stored deceleration profile which generates an output signal, during the manoeuvre, representative of any deviation of the deceleration profile of the current braking manoeuvre from the ideal deceleration profile with which it is compared. This output can be used to drive a display 14 to provide feedback to a driver as to the efficiency of a braking manoeuvre. Multiple ideal deceleration profiles may be stored and the system arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the most relevant stored profile. Profiles may be stored in association with spatial, temporal and/or environmental information.