Hybrid Brake Actuation Force Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake systems face challenges in accurately determining the actuating force when both hydraulic and mechanical actuation components are combined, particularly in electric parking brake systems, which is crucial for safety and comfort functions like hill-hold and emergency brake assistants.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the actuating force by detecting parameters related to the electromechanical brake actuator and hydraulic pressure source, including electrical current consumption and actuation path, to calculate the mechanical and hydraulic force components, allowing for precise control and monitoring of the combined actuation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic support is provided to the electric parking brake during actuation, then the actuating force can be increased, but the determination of individual actuation force components becomes complex and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuating force into two distinct components: a first actuating force component generated by the electromechanical brake actuator and a second actuating force component generated by the hydraulic pressure source. This segmentation allows each component to be determined and monitored separately using different parameters, resolving the complexity of measuring combined forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate parameters as mediators for force determination: the first parameter (electrical current consumption) serves as an intermediary to determine the first actuating force component, while the second parameter (actuation path) serves as an intermediary to determine the second actuating force component. These intermediaries enable indirect but precise measurement of force components without requiring direct force sensors.
2Device complexity
If the actuating force is determined from power consumption of the drive motor, then no force sensor is required, but the determination becomes imprecise when hydraulic and mechanical actuation are combined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force determination method into two separate measurement approaches: one based on electrical current consumption for the mechanical component and another based on actuation path for the hydraulic component. This eliminates the need for force sensors while maintaining precision by treating each actuation source independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from a single power consumption measurement to two distinct parameters: electrical current consumption (first parameter) and actuation path (second parameter). This parameter change enables accurate determination of both mechanical and hydraulic force components without requiring force sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coordinated control of electric parking brake and hydraulic pressure generation is implemented, then safety and comfort functions can be achieved, but the monitoring and control system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into independent control channels for the electromechanical brake actuator and the hydraulic pressure source, with separate parameter monitoring for each. This modular segmentation enables coordinated control for multiple safety functions while keeping the monitoring system manageable through clear separation of concerns.
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
Enables reliable and precise determination of the actuating force applied to the vehicle brake, enhancing the control and safety of electric parking brake systems and other braking functions by accurately accounting for both mechanical and hydraulic contributions.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuating force component is generated mechanically by operating an electromechanical brake actuator (202)... The actuating force exerted on the vehicle brake by moving the hydraulic piston (218) is determined directly from the power consumption of the drive motor
Implementation Method 2
a second actuating force component is generated hydraulically by operating a hydraulic pressure source (118)... a second parameter indicating the second actuating force component built up by the hydraulic pressure source (118) is determined
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a method for determining an actuating force applied to a vehicle brake, wherein the vehicle brake is equipped with an electromechanical brake actuator, and wherein a first actuating force component is generated mechanically by actuating the electromechanical brake actuator and a second actuating force component is generated hydraulically by actuating a hydraulic pressure source. One aspect of the method comprises the steps of measuring a first parameter relative to the electromechanical brake actuator and indicating the first actuating force component, determining a second parameter indicating the second actuating force component from a deviation of the measured first parameter, and determining the actuating force applied to the vehicle brake from the first and the second parameter.