Hydraulic Braking Efficiency Estimation for Predictable Deceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing braking control methods for vehicles with regenerative and hydraulic braking systems are inefficient, leading to unpredictable deceleration due to the inaccuracy of hydraulic actuators and varying efficiency over time, causing discomfort for users and requiring cumbersome measurement processes.

Innovation Solution

A method that estimates the efficiency coefficient of hydraulic braking by measuring vehicle acceleration and torque variations during braking transitions, allowing for independent choice of measurement instants and accounting for external dynamics, enabling better user comfort and maintenance through adaptive setpoint correction and wear detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hydraulic braking is used to complement regenerative braking, then braking coverage at low speeds is improved, but braking predictability deteriorates due to efficiency variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking coverageVSAvoidbraking predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures actual vehicle deceleration and compares it with the commanded deceleration to calculate a correction factor. This feedback loop compensates for hydraulic actuator efficiency variations by adjusting the braking distribution in real-time, thereby maintaining braking predictability while using hydraulic braking to extend coverage to low speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the distribution parameter between regenerative and hydraulic braking based on calculated efficiency ratios. By changing the control parameters (braking torque allocation) according to measured performance, the system optimizes braking coverage across different speed ranges while compensating for hydraulic system variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If regenerative braking is deactivated below 7 km/h, then mechanical braking reliability is improved, but energy recovery efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical braking reliabilityVSAvoidenergy recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely deactivating regenerative braking below 7 km/h, the system applies partial regenerative braking in conjunction with hydraulic braking. This partial action approach allows continued energy recovery while using hydraulic braking to compensate for the reduced regenerative contribution, thereby reducing energy loss without compromising mechanical braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If hydraulic braking efficiency is corrected in real-time, then braking precision is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors (accelerometers, speed sensors) and onboard processing capabilities to perform self-diagnosis and self-correction of braking efficiency. By leveraging already-available components for the correction function, the system achieves improved braking precision without significantly increasing overall control system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the distribution system prohibits electric braking below 7 km/h, then hydraulic braking reliability is improved, but overall braking efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic braking reliabilityVSAvoidbraking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines the switching point between purely hydraulic and combined braking modes based on real-time conditions rather than using a fixed speed threshold. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain hydraulic braking reliability when needed while optimizing overall braking efficiency by utilizing regenerative braking whenever conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2788218B1Braking supervision
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 RENAULT SA
  • EP2788218B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP2788218B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP2788218B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for a vehicle provided with a regenerating braking means and a complementary braking means, including: receiving (20) at least one vehicle acceleration measurement value, at least one torque value applied by the regenerating braking system, and at least one complementary braking set value for the complementary braking means, wherein said at least one value corresponds to at least one respective measurement moment during a braking transition; and estimating (25) the efficiency coefficient of the complementary braking means from said at least one received value.