Combined Brake Architecture With Redundant EMB Backup Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems face challenges in providing redundant power supply and signaling capabilities for dissimilar types of brake systems, such as hydraulic and electromechanical brakes, which complicates backup operation and signaling.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle braking system architecture that includes separate electronic control units for rear electromechanical brake assemblies powered from different power sources, with a communication bus network enabling the electronic brake boost module to provide backup control and signaling to the EMB assemblies if the central controller is inoperable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control systems are used for hydraulic and electromechanical brake assemblies, then each brake type can be controlled independently, but the system complexity increases and redundant power supply becomes more difficult to provision
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into separate hydraulic brake assemblies and electromechanical brake assemblies, each with its own control unit. The hydraulic brake assemblies are controlled by a hydraulic control unit, while the electromechanical brake assemblies are controlled by an electromechanical control unit. This segmentation allows independent control of each brake type while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single communication bus network is designed to serve multiple functions: it communicates with both hydraulic and electromechanical brake assemblies, carries power signals, and enables the electromechanical control unit to provide backup control for hydraulic brakes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each brake type.
2Reliability
If redundant power supply is provided for both hydraulic and electromechanical brake systems, then backup operation is ensured, but the provisioning of redundant power becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply systems for hydraulic and electromechanical brake assemblies are merged into a single communication bus network. This network carries both communication signals and power, allowing a single power source to support multiple brake systems. The electromechanical control unit can draw power from this shared network to provide backup control for hydraulic brakes, simplifying the overall power provisioning architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus network acts as an intermediary that facilitates power and signal transmission between different brake systems and their control units. It enables the electromechanical control unit to receive power and control signals to backup the hydraulic brake assemblies, eliminating the need for separate dedicated power supplies for each brake type.
3Device complexity
If a single communication network is used for both brake control units, then wiring is simplified, but the risk of single point of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between primary and backup control modes. Under normal conditions, the hydraulic control unit controls the hydraulic brakes. If the hydraulic system fails, the system dynamically transitions to the electromechanical control unit controlling both hydraulic and electromechanical brakes through the same communication bus, ensuring continuous operation despite the shared communication pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
A braking system includes a first hydraulic brake assembly associated with a first front wheel, a second hydraulic brake assembly associated with a second front wheel, a front EBB module operably coupled to the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies for primary operation of the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies, a first EMB assembly associated with a first rear wheel, a second EMB assembly associated with a second rear wheel, a controller operably coupled to the first and second EMB assemblies for primary operation of the first and second EMB assemblies, a first power network and a second power network providing redundant power supply to the system, and a bus network operably coupling both the EBB module and the controller to the first and second EMB assemblies so the EBB module can provide control of backup operation of the first and second EMB assemblies if the controller is inoperable.