Parking Brake Backup Architecture Using Hydraulic Pressure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems with park-by-brake functionality lack efficient redundant braking capability without complex wiring strategies, particularly in electric vehicles, which rely on rear brake electric actuators.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle braking system with a backup brake actuator that locks hydraulic pressure in hydraulic lines supplying front and rear brake assemblies in response to a loss or degradation of parking brake functionality, using a locking valve to provide redundant parking brake functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complicated wiring routing or protection strategies are implemented to design against double loss of both rear brakes, then reliability of parking brake system is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A backup brake actuator is introduced as an intermediary component that can independently apply brake torque to the rear brakes. This actuator serves as a mediator between the brake control module and the braking system, providing redundant parking brake capability without requiring complex wiring modifications to the existing brake assemblies. The backup actuator receives control signals and directly actuates the brake mechanism, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup brake actuator is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a primary parking brake actuator and as a backup mechanism in case of failure of the main parking brake system. This universal component can perform multiple functions: normal parking brake operation, backup parking brake operation, and emergency brake application, thereby providing redundant braking capability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
2Ease of operation
If rear brake electric actuators are used for park-by-brake functionality to obviate transmission parking pawls, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundant braking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The backup brake actuator is pre-configured and positioned within the braking system to provide beforehand cushioning against potential failure of the main parking brake actuators. This protective measure is established in advance, so that if the primary electric actuators fail, the backup actuator is already in place and can immediately take over to maintain parking brake functionality, ensuring continuous reliability without affecting normal ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the braking system by introducing a backup actuator that can independently control brake application. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a single-point-failure configuration to a redundant configuration, where the backup actuator can be activated under specific conditions (detected by the brake control module) to maintain the desired ease of operation and reliability.
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
Ensures reliable redundant braking capability without complex wiring, maintaining vehicle security even in the event of parking brake failure.
Implementation Method 1
a backup brake actuator operably coupled to a first locking valve disposed in hydraulic lines supplying at least one among the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies and the third and fourth brake assemblies. Responsive to an indication of loss or degradation of the parking brake functionality, the brake control module triggers the backup brake actuator to lock hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lines supplying the at least one among the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies and the third and fourth brake assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle braking system includes a first hydraulic brake assembly associated with a first wheel, a second hydraulic brake assembly associated with a second wheel, a third brake assembly associated with a third wheel, a fourth brake assembly associated with a fourth wheel, a brake control module operably coupled to the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies to control primary operation of the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies and operably coupled to the third and fourth brake assemblies to provide brake torque application for parking brake functionality, and a backup brake actuator operably coupled to a first locking valve disposed in hydraulic lines supplying at least one among the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies and the third and fourth brake assemblies. Responsive to an indication of loss or degradation of the parking brake functionality, the brake control module triggers the backup brake actuator to lock hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lines supplying the at least one among the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies and the third and fourth brake assemblies for backup parking brake functionality.