Hydraulic Brake Block Layout for Redundant Pressure Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power brake systems for autonomous vehicles lack redundancy to prevent complete failure without driver intervention, especially at Levels 4 and 5 of autonomous driving.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic block for a service brake unit with integrated brake pressure regulation and connection to a secondary brake unit, incorporating solenoid valves, check valves, and hydraulic accumulators, ensuring fail-safe operation through dual brake circuits and muscular-force backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single power brake pressure generator is used in the service brake unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy for autonomous driving Levels 4 and 5

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake system reliabilityVSAvoidhydraulic block complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system is segmented into a service brake unit with a power brake pressure generator and a secondary brake unit with a backup power brake pressure generator. The hydraulic block provides separate connection points (first connection for service brake, second connection for secondary brake) allowing independent operation of each unit, ensuring that failure of one does not compromise the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary brake unit is pre-configured and connected to the hydraulic block before any failure occurs. The hydraulic block includes predetermined connection points and internal hydraulic pathways that enable immediate switching to the secondary brake unit if the service brake unit fails, eliminating the need for complex real-time reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple hydraulic connections and components are integrated into the hydraulic block, then the reliability and redundancy are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake pressure regulation reliabilityVSAvoidhydraulic block manufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic block is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides: (1) connections for the service brake unit, (2) connections for the secondary brake unit, (3) brake pressure regulation pathways, (4) hydraulic accumulation chambers, and (5) switching mechanisms. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single manufactured component, reducing the need for additional precision-assembled parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the service brake circuit and secondary brake circuit into a single hydraulic block structure. The block contains integrated hydraulic pathways, shared brake fluid reservoir connections, and combined pressure regulation mechanisms that serve both brake units, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the hydraulic block includes integrated brake pressure regulation and dual brake unit connections, then the adaptability for autonomous driving is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous driving adaptabilityVSAvoidhydraulic block structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic block incorporates a vertical arrangement of connections along its longitudinal axis, with the first connection (service brake) and second connection (secondary brake) positioned at different heights. This spatial dimensionality allows multiple functional connections to be integrated without excessive lateral complexity, enabling compact design while maintaining adaptability for autonomous driving requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Ensures reliable brake pressure generation and regulation, maintaining vehicle control during primary brake unit failures, enabling seamless transition to secondary braking without driver intervention.

Implementation Method 1

brake pressure regulation means the generation and regulation of a brake pressure in the vehicle brake system, in brake circuits of the vehicle brake system and/or in hydraulic wheel brakes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Pascal's Law