Electronic Park Brake Deactivation Logic

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a risk of inadvertent deactivation of electronically controlled vehicle park brake systems, which can lead to catastrophic consequences due to accidental manipulation of the park brake input device or objects coming into contact with it.

Innovation Solution

A method that requires the park brake deactivation request to be maintained for a minimum time period and confirmed by the user through an acceleration input before deactivation occurs, with additional checks for operative conditions such as service brakes being operative and gearbox ratio engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the park brake can be deactivated at the simple press of a button, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent deactivation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of park brake deactivationVSAvoidrisk of inadvertent deactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires the driver to perform a preliminary action of maintaining the deactivation request for a minimum time period (e.g., 2 seconds) before the park brake actually deactivates. This preliminary time requirement ensures that accidental or inadvertent activations are prevented while still allowing intentional deactivations to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a preliminary check by monitoring whether the deactivation request is maintained for the required time period before allowing deactivation to occur. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential harmful effect of inadvertent deactivation by introducing a time-based verification step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the park brake deactivation requires maintaining the request for a minimum time period, then the safety against inadvertent activation is improved, but the time required for deactivation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against inadvertent activationVSAvoidtime required for deactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the time parameter by introducing a minimum time period requirement (e.g., 2 seconds) that the deactivation request must be maintained before the park brake deactivates. This parameter change balances safety requirements with operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the system checks for operative conditions before deactivation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety through condition verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors the deactivation request duration, checks operative conditions (service brake status, gearbox engagement), and controls the park brake actuator. This multi-functionality is implemented within a single electronically controlled park brake system, reducing the need for separate safety systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2483117B2Method for deactivating an electronic park brake system

Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4D
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle park brake system, wherein the park brake system is electronically controlled and wherein a user can request park brake deactivation through a park brake input device, characterized in that when the user has initiated a park brake deactivation request using the park brake input device, the park brake is deactivated if the park brake deactivation request is maintained for at least a first time period.