Multiple-Steer Brake Control for Slip-Resistant Deceleration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for multiple-steer vehicles, which have multiple steerable axles and drive axles, face challenges in coordinating braking control between steerable and drive wheels, leading to potential slippage, skidding, or lockup during deceleration, affecting vehicle stability and steering capability.
Innovation Solution
A braking control apparatus with an electronic control unit (ECU) and electro-pneumatic modules (EPMs) that implement axle-by-axle and wheel-by-wheel braking control, using multi-channel EPMs to selectively deliver pressurized air to brake groups on steerable and drive wheels, ensuring coordinated braking between steerable axles and drive wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single brake circuit is used for both steerable and drive wheels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vehicle stability and steering capability deteriorate due to uncoordinated braking control
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system is segmented into separate control circuits: a first brake circuit for steerable wheels and a second brake circuit for drive wheels. This segmentation allows independent control of braking forces on different wheel types, preventing coordination issues that would arise from a unified circuit while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts braking control based on real-time vehicle operating conditions. The ECU receives wheel speed signals from all wheels and dynamically modulates brake pressure independently for steerable and drive wheels, enabling adaptive coordination that maintains vehicle stability across varying deceleration scenarios without requiring a permanently complex mechanical linkage.
2Reliability
If coordinated braking control is implemented for all wheels, then the vehicle stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separate control systems for steerable and drive wheels
Solution Approach 1:
A single electronic control unit (ECU) serves multiple functions: it processes wheel speed signals from all wheels, determines optimal braking forces for both steerable and drive wheels, and controls both brake circuits. This multi-functionality achieves coordinated braking control without duplicating entire control systems, balancing vehicle stability improvement with acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary that translates driver braking requests into coordinated control signals for both brake circuits. Rather than directly linking mechanical brake systems, the ECU mediates the control distribution, allowing sophisticated coordination algorithms to manage the relationship between steerable and drive wheel braking without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
3Ease of operation
If brake pressure is applied uniformly to all wheels, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the steerable wheels may slip or lockup affecting steering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different braking characteristics to different wheel groups based on their specific functional requirements. Steerable wheels receive controlled braking that prevents lockup to maintain steering capability, while drive wheels receive braking optimized for deceleration. The ECU continuously monitors wheel speeds and locally adjusts brake pressure for each wheel group, achieving differentiated control without complicating the driver's operation.
4Reliability
If separate control is applied to steerable and drive wheels, then the steering capability is maintained, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex control coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system operates autonomously without requiring driver intervention for coordination. The ECU automatically monitors wheel speeds, determines optimal braking distribution between steerable and drive wheels, and modulates brake pressure in real-time. This self-service capability maintains steering capability through intelligent control while keeping the driver's operation simple, as the complex coordination happens automatically based on sensor feedback.
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 solution enables simultaneous deceleration and steering without adverse effects from slippage or lockup, as non-slip steerable wheel brakes provide necessary rolling contact for steering, while separate control of drive wheels ensures effective deceleration, maintaining vehicle stability.
Implementation Method 1
first and second apparatus operatively coupled with the ECU, wherein the first and second apparatus are configured to react to braking control signals generated by the ECU for applying brakes of the associated multiple-steer vehicle
Implementation Method 2
applying brakes of the associated multiple-steer vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A braking control apparatus for use in an associated multiple-steer vehicle having first and second steerable axles and a plurality of drive axles effects axle-by-axle braking control of steerable wheel brakes of the steerable axles and wheel-by-wheel braking control of drive wheel brakes of the drive axles, respectively, to perform a braking operation in the associated multiple-steer vehicle. The axle-by-axle braking control of the steerable wheel brakes and the wheel-by-wheel braking control of the drive wheel brakes are simultaneously effected to decelerate the vehicle using both the steerable and drive wheel brakes so that the ability to steer the vehicle is not adversely affected should one or more of the steerable wheel brakes on any of the steerable axles experience slippage, skidding, or lockup during the braking or deceleration.