Multiplex Hydraulic Brake Control With Redundant Wheel Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems lack efficient remote electrical control of each wheel brake, which is essential for advanced braking functions like anti-lock braking and traction control, and often rely on complex hydraulic systems that can be cumbersome and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A brake system that includes a reservoir, power transmission units, electronic control units, and parallel valves for multiplex control, allowing for selective actuation of front and rear wheel brakes with both hydraulic and electric components, enabling remote electrical control and redundancy in case of component failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex hydraulic system is used for brake control, then braking function is achieved, but system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into multiple independent power transmission units (first and second power transmission units), each capable of independently actuating specific wheel brakes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain braking functionality even if one unit fails, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages and direct hydraulic connections with electronic control signals. The deceleration signal transmitter generates electronic signals that are processed by electronic control units, which then control the power transmission units. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and improves system reliability by eliminating wear-prone mechanical components.
2Productivity
If remote electrical control of each wheel brake is implemented, then braking performance is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control units are designed to perform multiple functions: they receive deceleration signals, process sensor inputs, control power transmission units, and manage parallel valves for multiplex control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby improving braking performance while managing control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces parallel valves as intermediary components in the hydraulic control path. These valves are controlled by electronic control units and serve as mediators between the electronic control system and the hydraulic power transmission units. The parallel valves enable multiplex control, allowing a single electronic control unit to control multiple wheel brakes, thereby reducing overall control system complexity.
3Reliability
If redundancy is added for component failure, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into multiple independent power transmission units, each capable of independently actuating specific wheel brakes. This segmentation creates inherent redundancy: if one power transmission unit fails, the other units can continue to provide braking force to their respective wheels, maintaining system reliability without requiring complex backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions into single electronic control units that manage both power transmission units and parallel valves. This merging reduces the overall number of control components and simplifies the system architecture while maintaining redundancy. The electronic control units can dynamically allocate control resources to maintain braking functionality even when components fail.
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 system provides efficient and reliable control of each wheel brake, enhancing braking performance with multiplex control and redundancy, thus improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
first and second power transmission units configured for selectively providing pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating the pair of front wheel brakes
Implementation Method 2
Multiplex control of each of the pair of front wheel brakes and the pair of rear wheel brakes is provided by an arrangement of first and second parallel valves for each wheel brake
Implementation Method 3
A pair of rear brake motors selectively electrically actuate respective rear wheel parking brakes
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system for actuating a pair of front wheel brakes and a pair of rear wheel brakes includes a reservoir and a deceleration signal transmitter. First and second power transmission units are configured for selectively providing pressurized hydraulic fluid during a braking event. The first power transmission unit actuates a selected one of the front wheel brakes and a selected one of the rear wheel brakes. The second power transmission unit actuates the other one of the front wheel brakes and the other one of the rear wheel brakes. First and second electronic control units control the first and second power transmission units. A pair of rear brake motors selectively electrically actuate rear wheel brakes. Multiplex control of each of the pairs of front and rear wheel brakes is provided by an arrangement of first and second parallel valves for each wheel brake.