EPS Torque Counteracts Braking Torque for Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle braking systems are vulnerable to uncontrolled spinning when both wheel brakes on the same side malfunction, as they rely on a single yaw rate sensor that cannot handle spinning torque effectively, leading to instability and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple wheel speed sensors and an electronic power steering (EPS) system controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) to generate a steering torque opposite to the braking torque, using pre-tuned values based on wheel speed information to prevent spinning, ensuring redundancy and fail-safe braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single yaw rate sensor is used to detect spinning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the sensor malfunctions or when both side wheel brakes fail simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single sensor function into multiple specialized sensors: wheel speed sensors for each wheel and a yaw rate sensor. This segmentation allows independent detection of wheel speed discrepancies and vehicle rotation, providing redundant detection paths that maintain reliability even when one sensor fails or when complex failure modes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes information from multiple sensors (wheel speed sensors and yaw rate sensor) and coordinates the EPS system's response. This intermediary function allows the system to integrate data from multiple sources and make coordinated control decisions that a single sensor cannot achieve.
2Device complexity
If conventional braking control is used when both wheel brakes on the same side fail, then the device complexity remains simple, but the vehicle spinning becomes uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical braking control with an electro-mechanical system that uses the EPS motor to generate counteracting torque. Instead of relying only on brake force distribution, the system uses the steering motor's mechanical advantage to directly counteract the spinning torque, providing more effective control in failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit proactively generates steering torque in the opposite direction of detected spinning before the spinning becomes uncontrolled. By detecting wheel speed discrepancies and yaw rate early, the system applies counteracting torque in advance, preventing rather than merely responding to severe spinning conditions.
3Productivity
If the EPS system generates steering torque based on wheel speed information, then the productivity of preventing spinning is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The EPS system is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both normal steering assistance and emergency spinning prevention. The same motor and control unit that provide steering aid during normal operation are repurposed to generate counteracting torque when spinning is detected, eliminating the need for separate dedicated anti-spin hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the steering control function and the anti-spin control function into a single integrated system. The control unit processes both steering requests and spinning detection signals, and the EPS motor performs both steering assistance and spinning counteraction, reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
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 configuration effectively prevents vehicle spinning during simultaneous failures of both side wheel brakes by canceling out braking torque with steering torque, maintaining vehicle stability and safety through redundant sensor data and EPS intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic power steering (EPS) system is configured to generate a steering torque in a direction opposite to a braking torque generated in the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of electro-mechanical braking (EMB) systems are respectively installed for a plurality of wheels of the vehicle and configured to generate a braking force to the plurality of wheels, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for braking a vehicle, including a plurality of electro-mechanical braking (EMB) systems respectively installed for a plurality of vehicle wheels and configured to generate a braking force to the plurality of wheels, respectively, a driving information detecting unit for measuring driving information of the vehicle, an electronic power steering (EPS) system generating a steering torque in a direction opposite to a braking torque generated in the vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU) controlling the electro-mechanical braking systems and the electronic power steering system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control, upon determining that one or some of the plurality of electro-mechanical braking systems are malfunctioning, the vehicle by using the electronic power steering system, and the electronic power steering system is configured to generate the steering torque according to the driving information including wheel speeds.