Braking-Torque Assistance Control for Service-Brake Overheating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems face overheating issues during prolonged hill descents or steep gradients, leading to reduced functional performance and increased costs due to the need for larger brakes and cooling systems, which can be inefficient and uncomfortable to manage with current regenerative braking methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and control system that dynamically control the activation state of a braking-torque assistance system by monitoring demand indications and operating conditions to prevent overheating, activating the system only when necessary and deactivating it once the risk of overheating is mitigated, using sensors to capture and evaluate temperature, speed, and charging capacity data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the service-brake system is dimensioned to be larger and a cooling system is provided to prevent overheating, then the reliability of the braking system is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system activates the braking-torque assistance system in advance before the service-brake system reaches dangerous temperature levels. By monitoring temperature and predicting thermal trends, the system preemptively engages regenerative braking or other assistance mechanisms to prevent overheating, eliminating the need for oversized brakes and cooling systems while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the thermal state of the service-brake system and adjusts the activation of the braking-torque assistance system accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control prevents overheating by dynamically adjusting braking torque distribution, allowing the use of compact brake and cooling systems while ensuring reliable operation
2Temperature
If regenerative braking is used to relieve load on the service-brake system, then the temperature of the brake system is reduced, but the battery charging capacity may be insufficient or already full
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the braking-torque assistance activation based on real-time battery state-of-charge levels. When battery capacity is sufficient, regenerative braking is utilized to cool the service brakes. When the battery is full or charging capacity is insufficient, the system switches to alternative assistance methods or reduces service-brake load through other means, maintaining temperature control while adapting to varying energy storage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the braking-torque assistance system based on battery charging capacity. By monitoring battery state-of-charge and adjusting the degree of regenerative braking activation accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between brake cooling and energy recovery, preventing both overheating and battery overload
3Reliability
If the braking-torque assistance system is activated to reduce braking energy intake, then the service-brake system is protected from overheating, but the ride comfort may be compromised if activated unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses predictive algorithms to assess the likelihood of service-brake overheating based on current driving conditions, temperature trends, and upcoming route characteristics. The braking-torque assistance system is activated only when prediction indicates imminent thermal risk, avoiding unnecessary activation that would compromise ride comfort while still providing protection when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including brake temperature, driving conditions, and assistance system performance to dynamically adjust activation. This feedback mechanism ensures the braking-torque assistance is engaged only when thermally necessary, maintaining optimal ride comfort by avoiding unnecessary intervention while reliably preventing overheating when conditions warrant it
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an activation state of a braking-torque assistance system for reducing intake of braking energy in a service-brake system of a vehicle includes capturing and evaluating a plurality of demand indications for a startup of the braking-torque assistance system. If the evaluation of the captured plurality of demand indications reveals a demand for the startup of the braking-torque assistance system, a plurality of operating conditions of the service-brake system are captures and evaluated over a monitoring period. If, in turn, the evaluation of the captured plurality of operating conditions reveals that an overheating of the service-brake system is imminent, the braking-torque assistance system is actuated and one or more deactivation conditions of the braking-torque assistance system are checked. If the deactivation conditions are satisfied, the braking-torque assistance system is deactivated.