Brake Traction Control System for Off-Road Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hill start assist (HSA) systems are limited in off-road conditions due to reliance on vehicle position angle sensors, which restrict their usability on uneven terrains, and brake traction control systems (BTCS) do not effectively manage drive force distribution in varying traction conditions between front and rear wheels.
Innovation Solution
A brake traction control system (BTCS) for off-road vehicles that can switch between two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) modes, activated only when the vehicle is in 4WD mode and specific conditions are met, such as throttle position and wheel speed delta, allowing for dynamic torque distribution between front and rear wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HSA systems automatically maintain vehicle brake based on sensed vehicle position angle, then the vehicle can be held stationary on hills, but the system becomes inusable on uneven off-road terrains where position angle sensing is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameters of the HSA system from relying on vehicle position angle to relying on wheel speed differential detection. By monitoring the difference in rotation speeds between left and right wheels, the system can detect traction conditions and activate HSA based on actual wheel slip conditions rather than assumed hill conditions, making it reliable across both paved and off-road terrains.
2Reliability
If BTCS controls driving force distribution between wheels, then traction can be optimized, but the system cannot effectively manage drive force distribution when terrain surface friction differs between front and rear wheels in off-road vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic BTCS that can adapt its control strategy based on the vehicle's drive configuration (2WD or 4WD mode). The system dynamically adjusts which wheels are controlled and how force distribution is managed based on real-time detection of drive mode and wheel speed differentials, enabling effective traction control whether the vehicle is in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters of BTCS based on drive configuration. When in 4WD mode, the system activates BTCS with specific throttle position and wheel speed delta thresholds. When in 2WD mode, BTCS remains inactive. This parameter-based adaptation allows the system to optimize traction control effectiveness for the current drive configuration while preventing inappropriate activation.
3Ease of operation
If the operator manually selects drive configuration, then driving force distribution can be adjusted, but the system lacks automatic adaptation to varying traction conditions between front and rear wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor wheel speeds, throttle position, and drive configuration. This feedback information is processed by the control system to automatically determine when BTCS activation is appropriate and to dynamically adjust control strategies, enabling the system to automatically adapt to varying traction conditions without requiring manual operator intervention beyond initial drive mode selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) for an off-road type vehicle includes a 2WD/4WD switch adapted to switch a drive mode of the vehicle between a two-wheel drive mode (2WD) and a four-wheel drive mode (4WD). The switch is configured to be manually activated by an associated vehicle operator. A control unit is in signal communication with the 2WD/4WD switch. The control unit is operable to activate the BTCS only if the drive mode is switched to the four-wheel drive mode and predetermined vehicle operating conditions relating to engine throttle position or opening and wheel speed are subsequently satisfied.