Autonomous Vehicle Error Braking With Backup Brake Rerouting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automated or autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely continuing their journey when the main brake system fails, as occupants cannot react quickly enough to critical errors, and secondary brake systems may also fail, leading to unsafe conditions and schedule delays.
Innovation Solution
A method and safety system that switches the vehicle to an error mode, activating multiple backup brake systems and navigation functions to ensure safe and efficient travel, including reducing drive unit performance and rerouting to avoid hazardous conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main brake system fails in a fully automated vehicle, then the vehicle must switch to backup brake systems to maintain safety, but this leads to reduced braking performance and limited driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple backup brake systems (secondary and tertiary) that are activated in advance when the main brake system fails. The control unit detects brake system failures and automatically switches to appropriate backup systems, ensuring safety is maintained without requiring manual intervention from the driver or passenger.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system is segmented into multiple independent subsystems (main brake system, secondary brake system, and tertiary brake system), each capable of providing braking function. This segmentation allows the vehicle to continue operating safely even when one subsystem fails, as other segments can compensate for the failure.
2Reliability
If the vehicle continues traveling with a failed main brake system using backup systems, then safety is maintained, but critical driving conditions may overtax the backup systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the operational status and performance of both the main brake system and backup brake systems. When a failure is detected, the control unit activates the appropriate backup system and adjusts vehicle operations based on real-time feedback about brake system performance, ensuring that backup systems are not overloaded beyond their capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational conditions. When the main brake system fails, the vehicle transitions to using backup systems with modified operating parameters. The control unit adapts the braking strategy to match the reduced capabilities of backup systems, preventing overloading while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If the vehicle is equipped with multiple backup brake systems to handle critical errors, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup brake systems are designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes. The secondary brake system can function as both a backup to the main brake system and as a primary braking system when needed. The control unit manages these systems universally, activating appropriate subsystems based on failure conditions, which reduces the need for completely separate dedicated backup systems.
4Extent of automation
If the driver is removed from driving tasks in fully automated mode, then automation level is improved, but the driver cannot react to critical brake failures
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's brake system implements self-service through automated failure detection and backup system activation. The control unit continuously monitors brake system status and automatically switches to backup systems when failures occur, eliminating the need for human intervention. This allows full automation while maintaining safety through self-managing backup capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle that, due to an error in a main brake system of the motor vehicle, is switched by means of a control circuit from a normal mode to an error mode in which a performance of a drive unit of the motor vehicle is reduced, and at least one navigation function of the motor vehicle is activated. The invention provides that an additional function of the motor vehicle is activated in error mode by means of the control circuit. Moreover, the invention relates to a safety system that is designed to perform the above method, as well as to a motor vehicle equipped with such a safety system.