Electro-Hydraulic Hybrid Braking With Wheel-End Motor Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle braking systems fail to ensure timely deceleration during automatic driving due to hydraulic system failures, and existing backup systems like the electronic parking brake (EPB) provide insufficient braking force and slow response.

Innovation Solution

An electro-hydraulic hybrid braking system with multiple wheel-end modules, including motors and hydraulic pistons, and a dual electronic control system to ensure braking force generation even in hydraulic failures, using motors and hydraulic pressure in combination to achieve rapid deceleration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a hydraulic braking system is used for automatic driving, then braking force can be generated efficiently, but the system fails when hydraulic power source fails or hydraulic pipeline leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force generationVSAvoidsystem reliability under hydraulic failure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hydraulic braking and electric braking systems into a unified wheel-end braking module. The motor and speed-reducing transmission mechanism work together with the hydraulic piston to provide both hydraulic braking force and electric braking force, ensuring that the vehicle can still generate braking force even when the hydraulic system fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the braking system by introducing a motor-driven electric braking mechanism that can operate independently of hydraulic pressure. The control system adjusts the contribution of hydraulic and electric braking based on system status, allowing the vehicle to maintain braking capability under varying conditions including hydraulic failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If EPB caliper is used for auxiliary braking, then some braking force can be provided, but the vehicle cannot be decelerated to the largest extent and response is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup braking capabilityVSAvoiddeceleration response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the EPB caliper function with a motor-driven braking mechanism at each wheel-end module. The motor can rapidly generate braking force through the speed-reducing transmission mechanism, providing both backup capability and rapid response. This combined approach eliminates the slow response characteristic of traditional EPB systems while maintaining backup braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dual hydraulic braking systems are used for standby, then braking redundancy is provided, but both systems may simultaneously fail and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking system redundancyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two braking mechanisms (hydraulic and electric) into a single integrated wheel-end braking module rather than using separate dual hydraulic systems. This integration provides braking redundancy through different physical principles while reducing overall system complexity by sharing common components such as the brake disc, caliper body, and control electronics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces one hydraulic system with an electrically-driven braking mechanism, eliminating the need for dual hydraulic systems. The motor-driven speed-reducing transmission mechanism provides mechanical advantage similar to hydraulic systems but without the complexity of hydraulic pipelines, power sources, and associated failure modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Ensures reliable braking force generation and rapid deceleration in hydraulic system failures, enhancing safety and responsiveness for intelligent driving scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a speed-reducing transmission mechanism configured to convert a rotary motion from the motor into a linear motion for driving the hydraulic piston or brake friction plates to move forwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical motion conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the hydraulic piston is movably arranged and is movable forwards through brake hydraulic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

the brake friction plates maintain elastic deformation and a braking force remains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4163166B1Electro-hydraulic hybrid braking system for vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 WUHU BETHEL AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYST CO LTD
  • EP4163166B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4163166B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is an electro-hydraulic hybrid braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising wheel-end braking modules (1), a hydraulic control module (2), a first electronic control module (3) and a second electronic control module (4), wherein each of the wheel-end braking modules (1) comprises a hydraulic piston (10), an electric motor (8), and a speed-reducing transmission mechanism (9) which is used for converting a rotary motion from the electric motor (8) into a linear motion for driving the hydraulic piston (10) or a brake friction plate (12) to move forwards; four wheel-end braking modules (1) are provided; the hydraulic piston (10) is movably arranged, and can move forwards by means of brake hydraulic pressure; and the electric motor (8) of the wheel-end braking module (1) is controlled by the first electronic control module (3) and/or the second electronic control module (4). The electro-hydraulic hybrid braking system for a vehicle is applied to an intelligent driving vehicle braking system. By means of providing the four wheel-end braking modules (1) each having the electric motor (8) and hydraulic control, when the hydraulic control system or the electric motor control system fails such that a braking force cannot be automatically generated, the other system can automatically generate a braking force to slow down the vehicle, thereby improving driving safety and meeting the braking requirement of intelligent driving.