Local Digital Conversion for Vehicle Brake Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Long, low-level analog signals in aircraft braking systems are prone to noise interference when transmitted over long wire lengths, compromising feedback signal integrity in high noise environments.

Innovation Solution

An electronic brake system that converts analog sensor signals to digital signals at the brake assembly using an analog-to-digital converter and transmits them via a digital databus to a remote electronic brake actuator controller, improving signal integrity and reducing noise susceptibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If analog sensor signals are transmitted over long wire lengths to the brake actuator controller, then the system can maintain simple wiring architecture, but the feedback signal integrity is compromised due to noise interference in high noise environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog electrical signal transmission system with a digital signal transmission system. By converting analog sensor signals to digital signals at the brake assembly and transmitting them via digital databus, the system substitutes the vulnerable analog transmission mechanism with a more robust digital mechanism that is inherently more resistant to noise interference and signal degradation over long wire lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal representation from analog continuous voltage levels to digital discrete binary values. This parameter transformation occurs through analog-to-digital conversion at the brake assembly, where the signal format is fundamentally altered to be more resistant to noise, allowing reliable transmission over the digital databus network to the remote brake actuator controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If analog sensor signals are used for feedback, then the system architecture remains simple with minimal conversion components, but the reliability of brake control commands deteriorates in noisy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake control reliabilityVSAvoidsignal conversion complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brake control system into distinct functional modules: sensor units at the brake assembly, analog-to-digital converter units also at the brake assembly, and the brake actuator controller. This segmentation allows the conversion function to be distributed to the local level where signals are generated, isolating the complexity of signal conversion from the main control architecture while improving overall system reliability through localized processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If digital signal conversion is implemented at the brake assembly, then noise susceptibility is reduced and signal integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional conversion components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback signal accuracyVSAvoidconverter component complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the brake assembly to perform its own signal conversion function. The analog-to-digital converter units are integrated at the brake assembly location, allowing the system to convert signals locally without requiring external conversion equipment. This self-contained approach improves measurement precision by eliminating analog signal vulnerability while keeping the added complexity localized and manageable at the brake unit level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The digital signal transmission enhances the reliability and accuracy of brake control commands, ensuring effective braking performance even in noisy environments by maintaining signal integrity and reducing interference.

Implementation Method 1

the transmitter unit comprises an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog sensor signal to the digital sensor signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3584128B1Local digital conversion for force and position signals for electric actuation control

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 GOODRICH CORP

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AI summary

An electronic brake system (200) for a vehicle may comprise an electromechanical actuator (EMA) arrangement located at a first location and comprising an EMA (103) and a transmitter unit (330), and an electronic brake actuator controller (EBAC) (110) located at a second location remote from the first location and comprising a receiver (314). The transmitter unit (330) is configured to receive an analog sensor signal, convert the analog sensor signal to a digital sensor signal, and send the digital sensor signal to the receiver.