Vehicle Braking Redundancy via EPB and Regenerative Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems lack a reliable fail-safe function to ensure safe braking when faults occur in one or more components, particularly in the controller responsible for hydraulic braking.
Innovation Solution
A braking control apparatus that utilizes regenerative braking and electric parking brake (EPB) control to supplement insufficient braking, even when the target brake pressure exceeds the regenerative brake torque, and configures a redundancy system to perform braking using remaining controllers in case of faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is used alone, then energy efficiency is improved, but braking reliability deteriorates when target brake pressure exceeds regenerative brake torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines regenerative braking with electric parking brake (EPB) to form a hybrid braking system. When regenerative braking torque is insufficient to meet target brake pressure, the EPB supplements the braking force, ensuring both energy efficiency and braking reliability are maintained simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPB is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a parking brake during normal operations and provides supplemental braking force during regenerative braking fadeout sections. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability across different operating conditions while preserving energy efficiency benefits.
2Device complexity
If a single controller is used for hydraulic braking, then device complexity is reduced, but braking reliability deteriorates when faults occur
Solution Approach 1:
The braking control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers: a main braking controller for normal hydraulic braking operations and a backup braking controller for fault conditions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation while providing redundancy when needed, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and braking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup braking controller is prepared in advance as a fail-safe mechanism. When faults occur in the main controller, the backup controller immediately takes over to ensure continuous braking functionality. This prior cushioning approach maintains system reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making, balancing reliability with acceptable device complexity.
3Reliability
If EPB is used to supplement braking, then braking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between regenerative braking alone and the combination of regenerative braking with EPB supplementation. The transition is triggered by comparing target brake pressure with available regenerative brake torque, allowing the system to maintain simplicity when possible and add complexity only when necessary for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors braking force requirements and regenerative braking capability, using feedback to determine when EPB supplementation is needed. This feedback mechanism automates the decision-making process, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high braking reliability through appropriate EPB intervention.
4Reliability
If backup braking controller is activated, then braking reliability is improved in emergency situations, but response time increases due to controller switching
Solution Approach 1:
The backup braking controller is pre-configured and ready to operate immediately upon fault detection. Necessary control parameters and braking strategies are pre-loaded, eliminating the need for time-consuming initialization when switching from the main controller. This preliminary action minimizes response time while ensuring reliable emergency braking capability.
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
The solution enhances driving convenience and safety by ensuring stable braking through EPB intervention in regenerative braking fadeout sections and maintains vehicle safety by enabling braking redundancy in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
an electric parking brake (EPB) that generates a parking braking force of the vehicle by an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
a third controller that calculates a regenerative brake torque for regenerative braking of the vehicle and brakes the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A braking control apparatus includes a first controller that brakes a vehicle depending on an output signal generated by a first pedal stroke sensor according to a stroke of a brake pedal, a second controller that brakes the vehicle depending on an output signal generated by a second pedal stroke sensor, a third controller that calculates a regenerative brake torque for regenerative braking of the vehicle and brakes the vehicle, and an electric parking brake (EPB) that generates a parking braking force of the vehicle. Any one of the first controller, the second controller, or the third controller controls the regenerative braking or the parking braking force to brake the vehicle, depending on whether at least one of the first controller or the second controller is in a normal state.