Electric Brake Device Clearance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric brake systems cause driver discomfort due to unexpected noise and clearance adjustments during vehicle operation, particularly when the vehicle transitions from inertial traveling to stopping or braking, as they focus primarily on vehicle and operation conditions without considering driver-specific inputs.
Innovation Solution
An electric brake device with a control system that includes a brake operation amount detector, operation record flag storage, and a target clearance determination unit, which adjusts clearance based on driver operation records to prevent unexpected changes and minimize noise, maintaining optimal clearance settings during various vehicle states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the clearance is adjusted based only on vehicle and operation conditions, then the control responsiveness is improved, but the driver comfort deteriorates due to unexpected noise and clearance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary actions by adjusting the clearance before the vehicle actually stops or changes state. By detecting stop determination in advance and proactively managing clearance elimination, the system prevents unexpected noise and clearance changes that would otherwise occur during the actual stopping event, thereby maintaining driver comfort while preserving control responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring vehicle state and comparing it with expected driver intentions. When the detected vehicle state (e.g., stop determination) coincides with expected stopping conditions, the system adjusts clearance appropriately. This feedback loop ensures that clearance adjustments align with driver expectations, reducing unexpected noise while maintaining responsive control.
2Speed
If the clearance is eliminated during stopping to improve response performance, then the braking responsiveness is improved, but noise is generated that makes the driver feel discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control device eliminates the clearance in advance during stop determination, before the vehicle actually comes to a complete stop. By performing this preliminary clearance elimination when stopping is anticipated, the system ensures that the clearance is already minimized when braking occurs, improving braking responsiveness. Simultaneously, because this adjustment happens during the deceleration phase rather than at the moment of stopping, it avoids generating unexpected noise that would discomfort the driver.
3Loss of energy
If the clearance is maintained during inertial traveling to reduce dragging, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the initial response delay increases when braking is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the clearance based on real-time detection of vehicle state and driver intention. During inertial traveling, the clearance is maintained to reduce dragging and improve energy efficiency. However, when stop determination is detected or braking is anticipated, the system dynamically transitions to eliminating the clearance, thereby reducing initial response delay. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for energy efficiency during cruising while ensuring rapid response when braking is needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is an electric brake device capable of adjusting a clearance without making a driver feel discomfort, in a vehicle equipped with the electric brake device. A control device (2) of this electric brake device (DB) includes: a brake operation amount detector (24) to detect an operation amount to a brake operation member (27) of the vehicle; and an operation record flag storage unit (19) to store an operation record flag indicating a record of a latest operation performed by the driver to the brake operation member (27), on the basis of the operation amount detected by the brake operation amount detector (24). The control device (2) further includes a target clearance determination unit (17) to determine a target clearance with reference to the operation record flag stored in the operation record flag storage unit (19).