Vehicle Braking Torque Distribution via Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy vehicles equipped with service and auxiliary braking systems face issues of rapid wear and overheating when using wheel brakes for steering-by-braking, leading to wasted energy and high replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a coupling mechanism and a control unit that distributes braking torque between wheels by decoupling individual wheels from the braking torque, allowing the auxiliary braking system to generate torque on the propulsion shaft and distribute it to other wheels, thereby reducing wear and heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheel brakes of the service braking system are used for steering-by-braking, then lateral vehicle control is achieved, but the wheel brakes wear down fast and get overheated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a torque distribution mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the auxiliary braking system and the wheel brakes. This mechanism distributes braking torque selectively to individual wheels through coupling and decoupling operations, allowing the auxiliary braking system to provide steering-by-braking functionality while protecting the wheel brakes from excessive wear and overheating by controlling when and how torque is transmitted to them.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking torque is segmented and distributed individually to each wheel through the torque distribution mechanism rather than applying brake force directly at each wheel brake. This segmentation allows selective application of braking torque to specific wheels needed for steering while keeping other wheels free from excessive braking stress, thereby extending wheel brake life.
2Ease of operation
If wheel brakes are used for steering-by-braking, then lateral control is achieved, but braking torque is wasted energy that gets lost as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical wheel brake system with an auxiliary braking system that generates braking torque on the propulsion shaft. This auxiliary system can recover or utilize the braking energy more efficiently rather than dissipating it entirely as heat through friction brakes, thereby reducing energy loss while still achieving the necessary steering-by-braking functionality through selective torque distribution to wheels.
3Ease of operation
If wheel brakes are used frequently for steering, then steering control is achieved, but replacement costs increase due to fast wear down
Solution Approach 1:
The torque distribution mechanism serves as a protective intermediary that controls and limits the transmission of braking torque to the wheel brakes. By selectively coupling and decoupling wheels from the braking torque based on steering requirements, it reduces the frequency and intensity of wheel brake usage, thereby extending their service life and reducing replacement costs while maintaining necessary steering control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts torque distribution to individual wheels based on real-time steering requirements through coupling and decoupling operations. This dynamic control ensures that wheel brakes are engaged only when and where necessary for steering, minimizing unnecessary wear and extending component life, thereby reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
Data Source
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Figure 4A~4B
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques in the context of vehicles, and to a system and a method for distributing a braking torque of a vehicle arranged with a service braking system, and at least one auxiliary braking system. The system includes a coupling mechanism and a control unit. The coupling mechanism is arranged to couple and decouple at least one wheel of the vehicle from the braking torque. The control unit is further configured to obtain distribution data indicative of a desired distribution of the braking torque between the wheels of the vehicle, to control the at least one auxiliary braking system to generate the braking torque on the propulsion shaft based on the distribution data and to control the coupling mechanism to decouple at least one wheel of the vehicle from the braking torque of the at least one auxiliary braking system, based on the distribution data, in order to distribute the braking torque to the other wheels of the vehicle.