Electro-Hydraulic Brake Control System for Adjustable Pedal Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake control systems for hybrid vehicles struggle to easily adjust pedal effort and maintain reliable braking performance, with limited flexibility in changing pedal feel and difficulty in accurately reflecting driver intention.
Innovation Solution
A brake control system that includes a master cylinder, hydraulic power unit, push rod, reaction force producer with a solenoid, pedal stroke sensor, and display device, allowing for adjustable hydraulic pressure and reaction force control based on driver intention, with a menu system to customize pedal stroke, reaction force, and braking force settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a pedal simulator is used to change pedal effort, then the reaction force can be adjusted, but the ease of operation is limited and the level of change is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pedal simulator with an electro-hydraulic system. A solenoid valve controls hydraulic pressure to a reaction force generator, which uses fluid pressure to generate adjustable reaction force on the push rod. This substitution enables precise, electrically-controlled adjustment of pedal effort without mechanical linkages, significantly improving ease of operation and adjustability range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the reaction force parameter by controlling hydraulic pressure through the solenoid valve. By varying the electrical signal to the solenoid, the hydraulic pressure and consequently the reaction force can be continuously adjusted across a wide range, enabling dynamic adaptation to different driving conditions and driver preferences.
2Reliability
If the reaction force is increased to improve braking control, then the braking performance is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system serves multiple functions: it provides the reaction force to the push rod, controls the master cylinder for brake actuation, and enables adjustable pedal effort. By making the hydraulic system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex control mechanisms, thereby enhancing braking performance while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve acts as an intermediary between the electrical control system and the hydraulic system. It translates electrical signals into precise hydraulic pressure control, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling reliable and adjustable braking performance through a single integrated control component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brake control system adjusts hydraulic pressure dynamically, then the adaptability to driver intention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control units
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a pedal stroke sensor that detects the position and movement of the brake pedal, providing feedback to the control unit. This feedback enables the control unit to dynamically adjust the solenoid valve to match the driver's braking intention, achieving high adaptability while using a minimal sensor configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically adjusts the reaction force and hydraulic pressure based on feedback from the pedal stroke sensor, without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal braking performance aligned with driver intention, reducing the need for additional complexity.
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
Enables customizable pedal effort and reliable braking performance by accurately reflecting driver intention, improving marketability and driver satisfaction while securing brake performance reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid disposed within the reaction force producer and operated by electric power to cause the reaction force producer to produce the reaction force
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic power unit configured to supply hydraulic pressure to the master cylinder to cause the master cylinder to produce braking hydraulic pressure transmitted to the wheel
Implementation Method 3
a reaction force producer configured to supply hydraulic pressure to the push rod cylinder to produce reaction force against an operation of the push rod
Data Source
AI summary
A brake control system and method that include a master cylinder that transmits braking hydraulic pressure to a wheel and a hydraulic power unit that supplies hydraulic pressure to the master cylinder to produce the braking hydraulic pressure transmitted to the wheel. A push rod is operated according to a brake pedal operation and a push rod cylinder is formed for the push rod to perform reciprocal motion in the push rod cylinder. A reaction force producer supplies hydraulic pressure to the push rod cylinder to produce reaction force against the push rod operation. A solenoid within the reaction force producer is operated by electric power to produce the reaction force. A pedal stroke sensor detects a brake pedal stroke and a brake control unit connected to the hydraulic power unit, the reaction force producer, and the pedal stroke sensor, operates the hydraulic power unit and the reaction force producer.