Integrated Brake and Steering Actuator Control for Redundant Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack a fail-operational actuator for both steering and braking, requiring additional devices for redundant operation, which increases complexity and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system with a first steering actuator on one on-board network, a second redundant steering actuator on a separate network, and a brake actuator device that incorporates the control unit for both steering actuators, reducing the number of devices needed by housing the steering actuator control unit within the brake actuator device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional devices are installed to achieve fail-operational operation for both steering and braking, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake actuator device with the second steering actuator control unit into a single integrated module. The brake actuator device housing contains both the brake actuator and the second steering actuator control unit, allowing one device to serve dual functions. This merging reduces the total number of separate devices while maintaining the required redundancy for fail-operational capability in both steering and braking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake actuator device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a braking device and a control unit for the second steering actuator. By making the brake actuator device universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated control units, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving reliability through redundant operation on independent on-board networks.
2Reliability
If additional devices are installed to achieve fail-operational operation, then reliability is improved, but assembly expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the brake actuator and second steering actuator control unit into a single integrated device, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and connection points required. This integration lowers assembly expense while maintaining the reliability benefits of having redundant steering and braking systems operating on independent on-board networks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate control units are used for brake actuator and second steering actuator, then functional independence is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the second steering actuator control unit is housed within the brake actuator device housing. This nesting arrangement allows the control unit to occupy space within the existing brake device volume, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining functional independence through separate electronic control systems operating on different on-board networks.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system for a vehicle is described that includes a first steering actuator, operated on a first on-board network of the vehicle, a first steering actuator control unit, operated on the first on-board network, for controlling the first steering actuator, and a second steering actuator, operated on a second on-board network of the vehicle that is designed to be redundant in relation to the first on-board network. In addition, the actuator system includes a brake actuator device, operated on the second on-board network of the vehicle, having a brake actuator and a brake actuator control unit for controlling the brake actuator. The brake actuator device includes in addition a second steering actuator control unit, operated on the second on-board network of the vehicle, for controlling the second steering actuator.