Electronic Parking Brake ECU Redundancy With Supercapacitor Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic parking brake systems lack redundancy in both the ECU and battery, which can lead to instability and inefficiency in power management.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a second ECU with a power reserve system, including a super capacitor and switches, to ensure redundancy by switching control from the primary ECU to the secondary ECU when the primary ECU is inactive, utilizing stored power to maintain braking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single ECU and battery system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the brake system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system is segmented into two independent ECU units (first ECU and second ECU), each capable of independently controlling the brake motors. This segmentation allows one ECU to take over if the other fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second ECU is pre-configured with a power reserve system including a super capacitor that stores electrical energy in advance. When the primary battery fails or the first ECU becomes inactive, the pre-stored power in the super capacitor enables the second ECU to immediately take over brake control without interruption, ensuring continuous operational reliability.
2Reliability
If a power reserve system with super capacitor is added, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power reserve system using a super capacitor is merged into the second ECU, combining the backup power storage and brake control functions in a single integrated unit. This reduces the overall system weight compared to having separate backup power and control systems, while maintaining reliability through the redundant power supply capability.
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 configuration enhances the stability and reliability of the brake system by providing redundant power management, efficiently using the power reserve system and improving redundancy implementation, while reducing the size and weight of the secondary ECU.
Implementation Method 1
The power reserve system may include a super capacitor for charging a first power supplied from the battery and discharging the first power based on a power supply signal.
Data Source
AI summary
The electronic parking brake system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first ECU (electronic control unit) and a second ECU respectively connected to a plurality of motors for providing a driving force to a wheel to control the plurality of motors, wherein the second ECU includes a power reserve system for storing power supplied from a battery; a switch for switching to connect the plurality of motors to the first ECU or the second ECU based on the operating state of the first ECU; and a second MCU for identifying an operating state of the first ECU, controlling the switch to connect the plurality of motors from the first ECU to the second ECU based on the operating state being an inactive state, and controlling the plurality of motors through the power stored in the power reserve system.