Emergency Brake Mounting with Locking Lid for Manual Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles require an emergency braking system for safety in confined areas but need a manual driving mode for public roads, necessitating a solution that allows easy disabling of the emergency brake system while protecting it from environmental pollutants and ensuring quick activation.

Innovation Solution

A mounting arrangement with a bracket and pivotable lid for an emergency braking system, incorporating a manual valve and backup brake valve arrangement, allowing easy access and protection, and sensors for mode detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the emergency braking system is protected from environmental pollutants using a closed bracket, then the reliability of the braking system is improved, but the ease of operation for switching between driving modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental pollutantsVSAvoidaccess to manual valve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into a stationary protective housing and a movable lid that can be opened to access the manual valve. This segmentation allows the valve to be protected during normal operation while remaining accessible when needed by opening the lid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be opened for valve access and closed for protection. This dynamic element resolves the contradiction by transitioning between protected and accessible states as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the manual valve is easily accessible for mode switching, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintentional position changes due to vibrations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to manual valveVSAvoidvalve position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to lock the manual valve in its current position when closed, preventing vibrations from causing unintentional position changes. This preliminary protective action is taken automatically when the lid is closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The lid acts as an intermediary element between the operator and the manual valve. It provides controlled access while maintaining stability, mediating between the need for accessibility and the need for position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the lid is made pivotable for easy access to the manual valve, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to manual valveVSAvoidpivotable lid mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is segmented into a stationary housing and a movable lid connected by a simple pivot joint. This segmentation allows easy access to the valve while keeping the pivot mechanism simple and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4596343A1An arrangement for mounting an emergency braking system to a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS AB
  • EP4596343A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4596343A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP4596343A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A mounting arrangement (100) for mounting of an emergency braking system (101) to a vehicle (1), comprising: - a bracket (110) configured to mount a set of components, wherein the set of components comprise at least a backup brake valve arrangement (102) and a manual valve (103) for selectively enabling activation of the backup brake valve arrangement, - a lid (120) pivotably mounted to the bracket (110), wherein the lid is arranged to allow access to the manual valve mounted to the bracket when the lid is open, and wherein the lid is arranged to lock the manual valve to one of an open valve position and a closed valve position when the lid is closed, wherein the bracket is configured as a protective cover at least partially enclosing the set of components when mounted thereto.