Integrated Displacement Sensor in Electrohydraulic Braking Control Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrohydraulic braking systems face challenges in achieving a compact design, high accuracy, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining flexibility, braking performance, and comfort, with existing displacement sensors often requiring separate housings and longer signal lines.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a displacement sensor directly into the electronic control unit of an electrohydraulic braking device, with the sensor arranged on a printed circuit board, allowing for electrical and mechanical connection, reducing signal line lengths and eliminating the need for additional housing, using an inductive principle for precise position detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the displacement sensor is arranged separately from the electronic control unit, then the sensor can be easily installed and replaced, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional housing and longer signal lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installation easeVSAvoidsystem structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the displacement sensor directly with the electronic control unit by mounting the sensor on the control unit's housing or circuit board, integrating two previously separate components into one unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate sensor housing and reduces the number of connection components while maintaining ease of installation through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If the sensor is integrated on the electronic control unit, then the signal line length is reduced and signal quality improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor assembly into standardized modules that can be mounted on different positions of the control unit housing or circuit board, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining short signal paths. This modular approach enables standardized manufacturing processes despite the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring connections with electrical connections through printed circuit boards and integrated circuits, eliminating the need for separate signal cables and connectors. This substitution reduces signal line length and improves signal quality while enabling automated assembly processes.

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

3Reliability

If additional housing is used for the sensor, then the sensor is protected from environmental influences, but the overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protectionVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor housing requirements with the electronic control unit housing, using the control unit's existing enclosure to protect both the electronics and the sensor. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate housing structures while maintaining comprehensive protection against environmental influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the displacement sensor within the existing control unit housing structure, placing the sensor in available spaces or mounting it on the housing interior surfaces. This nesting approach provides protection without requiring external additional housing, thereby minimizing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This configuration results in a more compact, reliable, and cost-effective braking system with improved signal quality and reduced sensitivity to electromagnetic interference, enhancing spatial resolution and dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

The displacement sensor preferably works according to an inductive principle, with the displacement of the displacement sensor in particular causing a change in the field of an electrical transmitter arranged in the measuring transducer for determining the displacement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive principle: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2956339B1Braking device having a travel sensor for integrated motor vehicle brake systems
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP2956339B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2956339B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2956339B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a braking device comprising a travel sensor (4), which consists of a movable travel indicator (17, 23) and a sensing device (8) for detecting a displacement or position in an actuation direction (10), wherein the braking device is structurally combined as a compact unit comprising a housed electronic control unit (1), a hydraulic unit (2), and in particular a pump unit (3), wherein the sensing device (8) is integrated on or in the housed electronic control unit (1) and the sensing device (8) is arranged directly or indirectly on a circuit board (5, 6), wherein the circuit board (5, 6) is either a main circuit board (5) of the electrohydraulic device or an additional auxiliary circuit board (6) connected to the main circuit board electrically and in particular also mechanically.