Front-Rear Brake Distribution for Judder-Reduced Vehicle Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy-duty vehicle drivers experience discomfort due to brake judder, caused by irregularities in brake drums or discs, which existing technologies fail to address effectively without compromising braking performance.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that determines the oscillation amplitude of a vehicle during braking, compares it with a predefined reference value, and adjusts the brake torque distribution between front and rear axle brakes to minimize judder perception while maintaining desired braking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brake torque is applied to stop the vehicle, then braking performance is achieved, but driver discomfort occurs due to brake judder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performanceVSAvoiddriver discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the brake torque distribution parameter between front and rear axles based on detected oscillation amplitude. When judder is detected, the system adjusts the proportion of brake torque applied to each axle, thereby modifying the braking parameters to eliminate vibration while maintaining stopping performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors oscillation amplitude during braking and uses this feedback to adjust brake torque distribution in real-time. The control system compares detected vibrations against thresholds and automatically modifies brake application, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that eliminates judder while preserving braking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If brake torque distribution is adjusted to reduce judder, then driver comfort is improved, but braking performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver discomfortVSAvoidbraking performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake torque distribution is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts the torque distribution ratio between front and rear axles based on real-time oscillation detection, allowing the braking system to respond to changing vibration conditions while maintaining optimal braking performance throughout the deceleration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies brake torque distribution parameters only when oscillation thresholds are exceeded, otherwise maintaining normal braking operation. This conditional parameter adjustment ensures that braking performance is preserved under normal conditions while comfort is improved when judder occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If oscillation amplitude is monitored and brake distribution is controlled dynamically, then driver comfort is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver discomfortVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking system monitors its own oscillation characteristics and automatically adjusts its torque distribution without external intervention. The system serves itself by detecting its own vibration state and correcting imbalances, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while improving comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback loop continuously monitors oscillation amplitude and automatically adjusts brake torque distribution. This self-regulating mechanism uses simple threshold-based control to modify braking characteristics, achieving comfort improvement through relatively straightforward feedback control rather than complex predictive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4431351A1A computer system and a computer-implemented method of increasing driver comfort during a braking event
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4431351A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4431351A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4431351A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to: determine, during a braking event of a vehicle, an oscillation amplitude of a currently oscillating part of the vehicle; perform an amplitude comparison by comparing the determined oscillation amplitude with a predefined reference value; receive a brake request value indicative of a desired total brake torque or total brake force; perform a brake request comparison by comparing the received brake request value with a predefined brake request value; and control a brake distribution between front axle brakes and rear axle brakes of the vehicle based on the amplitude comparison and the brake request comparison, wherein said brake distribution is in the form of a brake torque distribution of said desired total brake torque or a brake force distribution of said desired total brake force. There is also disclosed a computerimplemented method.