Adaptive ESS Energy Buffering for Endurance Braking on Downhill Roads

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reservation of an energy buffer for endurance braking in vehicle batteries limits the capacity of the battery for propulsion, reducing the vehicle's travel distance and risking service brake overheating during downhill driving.

Innovation Solution

A computer system determines the extent of service braking that can be applied before overheating based on topography information, adapting the energy buffer in the energy storage system to accommodate endurance braking needs, and reserves energy accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an energy buffer is reserved in the ESS for endurance braking, then the service brake overheating is prevented, but the vehicle travel range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice brake overheating preventionVSAvoidvehicle travel range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the energy buffer reservation adaptive rather than static. The control system continuously adjusts the amount of energy reserved for endurance braking based on real-time driving conditions, vehicle state, and predicted route topography. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to reserve only the necessary energy buffer when needed, while maximizing energy availability for propulsion during normal driving, thereby resolving the contradiction between brake protection and travel range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of energy buffer size from a fixed value to a variable that adapts to different operating conditions. By modifying parameters such as the energy buffer amount, discharge power limits, and charge power limits based on driving behavior, route information, and battery state, the system optimizes the balance between ensuring endurance braking capability and maximizing vehicle range, thus resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fixed energy buffer is reserved for endurance braking, then the service brake is protected from overheating, but the battery capacity for propulsion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice brake protectionVSAvoidbattery capacity for propulsion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the energy buffer parameters based on actual driving conditions and predicted needs. Rather than reserving a fixed quantity of energy, the control system modifies the buffer size, discharge power limits, and charge power limits in real-time according to factors such as driving behavior, route topography, and battery state, thereby protecting the service brake while maximizing available battery capacity for propulsion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by using predicted route topography information and driving behavior patterns to proactively adjust energy buffer parameters before critical situations arise. The system anticipates future endurance braking needs based on upcoming downhill sections and pre-adjusts the energy buffer settings, allowing optimal energy management without unnecessarily limiting propulsion capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the energy buffer size is increased to ensure endurance braking capability, then the service brake overheating risk is reduced, but the vehicle range is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveendurance braking capabilityVSAvoidvehicle range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy buffer from a static, oversized reservation to a dynamically adjusted parameter set. By modifying parameters including buffer size, discharge power limits, and charge power limits based on actual endurance braking requirements, the system ensures adequate braking capability while minimizing the impact on vehicle range, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4650210A1Reservation of endurance braking energy buffer
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4650210A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4650210A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP4650210A1 patent drawingFigure 5a

AI summary

In an aspect, a computer system (14) is provided comprising processing circuitry (11) configured to determine (S101), by taking into account topography information of a stretch of road (30) to be travelled by a vehicle (10), to which extent service braking (18) can be applied before the service brake of the vehicle (10) is expected to overheat upon travelling said stretch of road (30), and to reserve (S102) an amount of energy (20) to be stored in an energy storage system (15), ESS, of the vehicle (10) for allowing endurance braking (19) of the vehicle (10) to avoid causing overheating of the service brake, wherein the amount of energy (20) being reserved is adapted to the extent to which the service braking (18) is determined to be applied upon the vehicle traveling said stretch of road (30).