Electromagnetic Brake Control for Unintended Turning Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground working vehicles with electromagnetic brakes face issues where abnormality in one brake can cause unintended turning due to differences in electricity supply states between the left and right wheels, leading to unsafe vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A working vehicle with a common brake releasing unit and a controller that compares the electricity supply states of the left and right electromagnetic brakes, disconnecting power when a difference exceeds a certain limit to ensure both wheels are braked, preventing unintended turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common switching unit is provided for the left and right electromagnetic brakes to simultaneously brake both wheels, then the braking operation is simplified and synchronized, but when abnormality occurs in one electromagnetic brake, the vehicle may turn in an unintended direction due to difference in traveling states of the left and right wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the electricity supply states of both electromagnetic brakes and compares them to detect abnormalities. When a difference exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected, the controller activates the backup braking mechanism to compensate for the faulty brake, ensuring both wheels maintain synchronized braking performance and preventing unintended vehicle turning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a backup braking mechanism that remains inactive during normal operation but automatically activates when an abnormality is detected in one electromagnetic brake. This redundant mechanism serves as a safety cushion to prevent vehicle instability and unintended turning caused by asymmetric braking forces.
2Reliability
If separate switching units are provided for the left and right electromagnetic brakes, then abnormality in one brake does not affect the other, but the device complexity increases and simultaneous braking control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control functions of two separate switching units into a single integrated controller that manages both electromagnetic brakes. This unified controller compares electricity supply states, detects abnormalities, and coordinates the backup braking mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of independent brake control.
Solution Approach 2:
The common switching unit is designed to perform multiple functions: normal braking control, abnormality detection through comparison of electricity supply states, and activation of the backup braking mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate switching units while ensuring both reliability and simplified control.
3Speed
If the electromagnetic brake operates by cutting electricity supply to execute braking, then the braking response is fast and simple, but when line disconnection or circuit abnormality occurs, the brake may not function properly causing unintended vehicle turning
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the electricity supply states of both electromagnetic brakes and compares them to detect line disconnections or circuit abnormalities. When an abnormality is detected, the controller activates the backup braking mechanism to ensure the brake function remains reliable, preventing unintended vehicle turning while maintaining fast braking response through the original electromagnetic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup braking mechanism serves as a safety cushion that activates only when line disconnection or circuit abnormality is detected in the electromagnetic brake system. This redundant mechanism ensures continuous brake functionality and prevents unintended vehicle turning, while the fast response characteristic of the electromagnetic brake is preserved during normal operation.
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 prevents unintended turning by ensuring both wheels are braked when an abnormality occurs, maintaining vehicle stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a left electromagnetic brake and a right electromagnetic brake provided corresponding to the left wheel and the right wheel, respectively, and which execute a brake release operation of the left wheel and the right wheel by supply of electricity from a power supply and execute a brake operation of the left wheel and the right wheel when the supply of electricity from the power supply is cut off
Data Source
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AI summary
A lawnmower vehicle which is a working vehicle with an electromagnetic brake includes left and right electromagnetic brakes, a brake relay which is a common brake releasing unit, and an ECU. The ECU compares electricity supply states of the left and right electromagnetic brakes, and controls the brake relay to disconnect an electrical connection between a battery and the left and right electromagnetic brakes, and to brake left and right wheels when a difference in the electricity supply states compared by a comparator exceeds an allowable upper limit.