Electric Brake Device Diagonal Control Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric brake systems require additional mechanical brakes, increasing vehicle cost and complexity, and lack efficient control mechanisms for four-wheel braking with three or fewer control units.

Innovation Solution

An electric brake device with three control units that manage four brake mechanisms, allowing for redundant braking force distribution and activation of parking brakes in case of control unit failure, using a configuration where each brake mechanism includes a friction-receiving member and a friction-applying member powered by an electric actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical brake is provided in addition to an electrically controlled brake system for failure compensation, then braking reliability is improved, but vehicle cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple control units by enabling a third control unit to take over control of brake mechanisms when the first or second control unit fails. This integration allows a single control unit to manage multiple brake mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate mechanical brake systems while maintaining braking reliability through functional redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The third control unit is designed with multi-functionality to control both the first and second brake mechanisms in addition to its primary function. This universal control capability allows the system to maintain full braking functionality even when other control units fail, achieving reliability without requiring dedicated mechanical backup systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If four control units are provided for four wheel braking mechanisms, then braking control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking control reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of control units
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control functions for multiple brake mechanisms into a single third control unit. This control unit can manage the first brake mechanism, second brake mechanism, and parking brake mechanisms, thereby reducing the total number of control units from four to three while maintaining comprehensive braking control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system employs dynamic reconfiguration where the third control unit can dynamically take over control functions when the first or second control unit fails. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain reliable braking control with fewer control units by redistributing control responsibilities based on operational status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces vehicle cost and complexity by enabling four-wheel braking control with three units, maintaining braking force and stability through redundant systems, and improving responsiveness and durability with disk brake systems.

Implementation Method 1

a friction-applying member that moves while being powered by an electric actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

obtains the braking force by pressing the friction-applying member against the friction-receiving member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3318458B1Electromechanical brake device
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP3318458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318458B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3318458B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5B

AI summary

An electric brake device (10) has at least three control units: a first diagonal wheel control unit (28) that controls a front-left wheel brake mechanism (20) and a rear-right wheel brake mechanism (26) which are positioned diagonally; a second diagonal wheel control unit (30) that controls a front-right wheel brake mechanism (22) and a rear-left wheel brake mechanism (24) which are positioned diagonally; and a front wheel control unit (32) that controls a front-left wheel brake mechanism (20) and a front-right wheel brake mechanism (22). Each of the brake mechanisms (20), (22), (24), (26) has a friction-receiving member that rotates together with the wheel; and a friction-applying member that moves while being powered by an electric actuator, and obtains the braking force by pressing the friction-applying member against the friction-receiving member.