Hydraulic Brake Boosting via Deceleration Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydraulic brake systems without a master cylinder pressure sensor cannot implement a brake assistant function due to cost constraints, limiting the implementation of effective brake assistance technologies.

Innovation Solution

A method for hydraulic brake pressure boosting that generates a second pressure component based on vehicle deceleration values, using a detection device and a pressure generating device, which can include a brake booster and an electrically operated pump, to create an additional pressure component proportional to the first pressure component, and includes a plausibility check using a pressure sensor to ensure accurate pressure control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure sensor is installed to determine master cylinder pressure reliably for brake assistant function, then braking safety and reliability are improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking safetyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deceleration sensor as an intermediary device that indirectly measures the effect of brake pressure (vehicle deceleration) rather than directly measuring pressure itself. This mediator allows the brake assistant function to be implemented without requiring expensive high-quality pressure sensors, as the deceleration data provides sufficient information to trigger appropriate braking assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing system with a sensor-based deceleration measurement system. Instead of using pressure sensors to directly detect master cylinder pressure, the system uses deceleration sensors to detect the vehicle's motion changes caused by braking, thereby substituting a potentially cheaper sensor type for the expensive pressure sensing mechanism.

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

2Measurement precision

If high quality or redundant pressure sensors are installed to determine master cylinder pressure reliably, then brake assistant accuracy is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a functional copy of pressure measurement capability through deceleration sensing. Instead of directly measuring pressure with expensive sensors, the system measures the indirect effect (deceleration) and uses this information to achieve the same brake assistant function, effectively copying the measurement capability through a different physical quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measured parameter from direct pressure to deceleration. By measuring a different physical parameter (deceleration instead of pressure) that correlates with brake application, the system achieves the necessary measurement precision for brake assistant functionality without requiring expensive pressure sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a brake assistant system is implemented in hydraulic brake systems without pressure sensors, then cost is reduced and retrofitting becomes possible, but measurement precision and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidpressure determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where deceleration data is continuously monitored and used to adjust brake assistant activation. The system uses the deceleration feedback to determine when panic braking is occurring and triggers appropriate assistance, maintaining reliability without requiring direct pressure measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 the integration of a hydraulic brake assistant into brake systems without a pressure sensor, reducing production costs and allowing for retrofitting of vehicles with ABS or ESP systems, while maintaining operational reliability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a deceleration value indicating a deceleration of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

generating an additional second pressure component as a function of a second pressure value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure generation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2323880B1Method and device for hydraulic brake boosting
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBH
  • EP2323880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2323880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2323880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to technology for hydraulic brake boosting in a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, wherein a first pressure share of a brake pressure in the brake system is produced in a driver-controlled manner. A corresponding method comprises the steps of capturing a deceleration value indicating a deceleration of the vehicle and producing an additional second pressure share according to the deceleration value.