Hill Hold Assistant Dynamic Torque Threshold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver assistance systems for starting on an incline prematurely release the brake due to electrical consumers increasing engine torque, causing the vehicle to roll back before sufficient drive torque is reached.

Innovation Solution

Adjusting the engine torque or speed threshold condition to account for changes not caused by the accelerator pedal, ensuring the brake is only released when the drive torque compensates for downhill force, by monitoring electrical consumers and adjusting the release condition accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the brake release condition is set to a fixed engine torque threshold, then the system is simple to operate, but the brake is released too early when electrical consumers are active, causing vehicle rollback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake release timing accuracyVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake release threshold is made dynamic by adjusting it based on the operating state of electrical consumers. When electrical consumers are active, the threshold is increased to account for the additional engine torque they consume, ensuring the brake is only released when sufficient drive torque is actually available at the wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the operating state of electrical consumers and uses this feedback to adjust the brake release condition. The control unit continuously checks whether electrical consumers are active and modifies the torque threshold accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the engine torque threshold is increased to prevent rollback, then the vehicle will not roll back, but the brake is released too late even when sufficient drive torque is available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidtime to move off
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different threshold values for different operating conditions. Instead of using a single global threshold, it locally adapts the threshold based on whether electrical consumers are active, allowing optimal brake release timing for each specific situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the torque threshold parameter dynamically based on the operating state of electrical consumers. When consumers are active, the threshold is raised; when they are inactive, the threshold returns to its original value, optimizing both reliability and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the brake is released when engine torque exceeds a fixed threshold, then the system responds quickly to driver input, but electrical consumers cause premature brake release and vehicle rollback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarting response speedVSAvoidbrake release accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of electrical consumer states and pre-calculates the appropriate threshold value before the brake release decision is made. This allows the system to respond quickly when the brake release condition is met, while already having the correct threshold ready based on the current electrical load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2203334B1Hill hold assistant system with variable condition for releasing the brake
Publication Date: 2012.06.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2203334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2203334B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver during hill start, the vehicle being automatically maintained stationary by means of a brake (8) and the brake (8) being automatically released when the driver's intention to start the vehicle is detected, provided that the engine torque (14) or a variable proportional thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold value (13). The vehicle can be prevented from rolling back when the brake is released by monitoring the engine torque (14) or the equivalent variable for a change that is not due to the actuation of the accelerator (4) and by modifying the condition for releasing the brake (8) when a change in engine torque (14) or the equivalent variable is detected.