Electric Park Brake Control for Electric Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with non-traditional propulsion systems, such as electric motors directly attached to wheels or axles, lack a suitable mechanism for implementing traditional mechanical park mechanisms, as they do not have a transmission to engage a park gear.

Innovation Solution

An electric park brake system is implemented, utilizing a first and second vehicle control module and an electric brake control module to detect a park request and actuate a motor winding to prevent wheel rotation, with a backup system to ensure the vehicle is secured in case of module failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional mechanical park mechanism is used, then the vehicle can be securely parked, but the mechanism cannot be implemented in vehicles without a transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to non-traditional propulsion systemsVSAvoidparking security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical park mechanism with an electric motor-driven parking brake system. The electric motor converts electrical energy to mechanical force to apply the parking brake, eliminating the need for a transmission and mechanical park pawl while maintaining the ability to securely park the vehicle. This substitution enables vehicles with direct-drive electric motors to have effective parking brake functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric motor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the propulsion motor and the parking brake actuator. By integrating the parking brake function into the existing electric motor system, the patent eliminates the need for separate mechanical park components, making the system universally applicable to electric vehicle architectures without traditional transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single control module is used to actuate the electric park brake, then the system is simpler, but the system reliability decreases upon module failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system structureVSAvoidsystem reliability upon failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a backup control module that remains in standby to take over if the primary control module fails. This redundancy ensures that the electric parking brake system can still be actuated even if one control module becomes inoperative, thereby maintaining system reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is divided into distinct functional modules with specialized roles. The first control module handles normal operation, while the second control module provides backup functionality. This modular approach with differentiated local functions allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while keeping each module's complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively secures vehicles without a traditional transmission by using an electric park brake system that can be actuated electronically, ensuring the vehicle remains stationary even if primary control modules fail, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an actuation signal is sent from the electric brake control module to a motor winding of the electric park brake system. The actuation signal is sent to actuate the motor winding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9187068B2Method of applying an electric parking brake system in hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion systems

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method applying an electric park brake system of a vehicle includes detecting a park request with a first vehicle control module, and sending a park command, from the first vehicle control module, to both an electric brake control module and a second vehicle control module. Upon the electric brake control module receiving the park command, an actuation signal is sent from the electric brake control module to a motor winding of the electric park brake system. A status actuated signal is sent from the electric brake control module to the second vehicle control module. The status actuated signal indicates that the actuation signal has been sent from the electric brake control module. A position of the motor winding is sensed to determine if the motor winding is actuated. When the motor winding is actuated, a message is displayed to indicate that the electric park brake system is applied.