Electromechanical Hydraulic Braking With Redundant Pressure Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic brake systems rely on mechanical force transmission from a brake pedal to the master brake cylinder, which is complex, error-prone, and lacks redundancy, potentially compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic brake system that uses an electromechanical drive actuated exclusively by electronic signals to build up hydraulic pressure in independent brake circuits, with a vehicle dynamics control system providing redundant pressure generation, eliminating the need for mechanical connections and ensuring safety through independent components and power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical force transmission from brake pedal to master brake cylinder is used, then direct user control is achieved, but system complexity and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force transmission system (brake pedal connected via mechanical linkages to master brake cylinder) with an electronic control system. Sensors detect brake pedal position and convert it to electronic signals that control an electromechanical actuator, which then actuates the master brake cylinder. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while maintaining user control capability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical force transmission from brake pedal to master brake cylinder is used, then direct user control is achieved, but reliability decreases due to mechanical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force transmission system (brake pedal connected via mechanical linkages to master brake cylinder) with an electronic control system. Sensors detect brake pedal position and convert it to electronic signals that control an electromechanical actuator, which then actuates the master brake cylinder. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while maintaining user control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic intermediaries (sensors, electronic control units, and electromechanical actuators) between the driver's brake pedal input and the master brake cylinder. These intermediaries convert mechanical input to electronic signals and back to mechanical output, eliminating direct mechanical linkages and their associated wear, loosening, and failure modes.
3Device complexity
If single pressure generation component is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but redundancy and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brake pressure generation system into multiple independent components: a primary pressure generation device and at least one secondary pressure generation device. Each component can independently generate brake pressure, and they are controlled separately through electronic control units. This segmentation provides functional redundancy while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundant pressure generation components and control logic that activates backup systems before primary systems fail. The electronic control unit monitors the status of primary components and automatically switches to or activates secondary components to maintain brake function, providing a safety buffer against component failures.
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
This solution simplifies brake system operation, reduces mechanical errors, and ensures continued vehicle deceleration even if one component fails, enhancing safety and reliability by using electronic signal transmission and redundant systems.
Implementation Method 1
The electromechanical drive is configured to actuate the master brake cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The master brake cylinder is configured to build up hydraulic pressure in at least two independent brake circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic brake system, in particular a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle. The control of a master brake cylinder to build up the hydraulic pressure is effected exclusively by an electric drive. The setpoint specification for controlling the electromechanical drive can be received as an electrical signal. In the event of a fault, redundant brake pressure generation can be ensured by using a brake pressure generation device of a vehicle dynamics control system.