ESC Hydraulic Braking Backup for Complete Vehicle Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ADAS systems fail to ensure complete immobilization of a vehicle when the ACC function fails to transmit a braking command to the ESC system, particularly in situations requiring immediate stoppage due to unexpected deceleration or obstruction by another vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves the ESC system applying negative acceleration until the vehicle reaches zero speed, followed by increasing hydraulic pressure on the wheels' brakes to ensure complete immobilization, confirmed by a graphical interface, utilizing existing vehicle network data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ACC function transmits braking command to the ESC system, then the vehicle speed is regulated and the vehicle stops at a safe distance from the target vehicle, but the vehicle may not be completely immobilized if the ACC function fails or delays the command transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle immobilization reliabilityVSAvoidbraking control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ESC computer continuously monitors wheel rotation speeds and compares them against reference values to detect whether the vehicle has come to a complete stop. This feedback mechanism allows the ESC system to take over control when the ACC function fails or delays, ensuring reliable immobilization without requiring complex additional sensors or actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The ESC system uses its existing wheel speed sensors and control capabilities to perform the immobilization function that would otherwise require ACC intervention. By leveraging its own monitoring and actuation resources, the ESC computer can independently ensure complete vehicle stoppage without adding external complexity to the braking control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the ESC system continuously monitors wheel rotation to detect complete stop, then the vehicle immobilization is secured, but the response time may be delayed compared to direct ACC control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete vehicle stoppageVSAvoidresponse time for immobilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ESC computer is pre-configured with threshold values for wheel rotation speed that indicate complete stop conditions. By having these criteria established in advance and continuously monitoring wheel speeds, the system can immediately detect when immobilization is achieved without requiring additional processing or communication delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for complex inter-computer communication and command transmission between ACC and ESC systems with a direct mechanical/electrical monitoring approach. The ESC computer directly monitors wheel speed sensors and uses its existing hydraulic braking control to achieve immobilization, eliminating communication delays and ensuring rapid response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the ACC system uses RADAR and camera for target detection, then the vehicle maintains safe distance from target vehicle, but the system may fail to detect unexpected deceleration or vehicles inserting between carrier and target vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection functions of the ACC system (RADAR, camera) with the ESC system's wheel speed monitoring capabilities. By combining external target detection with internal vehicle state monitoring, the system achieves comprehensive surveillance without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function, thus maintaining reliability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ESC computer's wheel speed sensors serve dual purposes: they monitor both the vehicle's own motion state for braking control and detect complete stop conditions for immobilization. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor system to support both ACC target-following operations and ESC safety backup functions without adding dedicated sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

Enhances vehicle immobilization responsiveness, preventing unintended movement and providing user feedback, leveraging existing vehicle systems for secure and reliable stoppage.

Implementation Method 1

to increase the hydraulic pressure of the main hydraulic braking device of the carrier vehicle by acting directly on the hydraulic brakes of the wheels of the carrier vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4433337B1Method for securing the immobilization of a motor vehicle following a vehicle braking command
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4433337B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for securing the immobilisation of a carrier vehicle (100), consisting in: - receiving a negative acceleration instruction delivered by the ACC system (11, 12) following detection of stoppage of the target vehicle in front of the carrier vehicle (100); - controlling the ESC system (20) in order for said system to apply the negative acceleration instruction until the carrier vehicle (100) reaches a speed of zero, and, if the speed is zero and the wheel speed signals are no longer changing, - increasing the hydraulic pressure of the main hydraulic braking member (50) of the carrier vehicle (100) by acting directly on the hydraulic brakes of the wheels of the carrier vehicle (100) until the carrier vehicle (100) is completely immobilised, and - confirming, to the ACC system (11, 12), the complete immobilisation of the carrier vehicle (100) using information fed back from the hydraulic braking member (50).