Integrated Parking and Service Braking for Spring Brake Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in ensuring that service brakes respond to a driver's request for an emergency spring brake application while the vehicle is moving at road speed, potentially leading to non-compliance with safety standards and increased stopping distances due to reliance on diagnostic schemes that are difficult to develop and test.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that simultaneously applies both electronic parking brakes and service brakes when a driver requests a spring brake application at speed, using a pneumatic anti-compounding valve to prevent simultaneous application and override the parking brake with service brake activation, ensuring compliance with safety standards and reducing stopping distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver requests application of the parking/spring brakes while the vehicle is moving at speed, then the parking brake can be applied, but the service brakes must not be applied simultaneously to avoid system conflict and ensure proper braking performance
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary controller is introduced between the driver's brake request and the brake systems. This controller monitors vehicle speed, determines whether the request is for parking or service brakes, and coordinates their application accordingly. The intermediary prevents direct conflict by managing the timing and sequencing of brake applications based on real-time vehicle conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on vehicle speed. At low speeds, the system allows parking brake application; at high speeds, it prioritizes service brake application. This dynamic adaptation ensures the braking system responds appropriately to changing operating conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Reliability
If diagnostic schemes are used to ensure service brake response, then safety compliance can be achieved, but the schemes are difficult to develop and test
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system performs self-diagnosis and self-regulation. It automatically monitors its own state, detects failures or anomalies in the brake systems, and takes appropriate corrective actions without external intervention. This self-service capability simplifies manufacturing and testing by eliminating the need for complex external diagnostic schemes while ensuring continuous safety compliance.
3Force
If both parking brake and service brake are applied simultaneously, then maximum braking force is achieved, but system conflict occurs and stopping distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary assessment of the braking request and vehicle speed before activating any brakes. It determines in advance whether the driver intends to apply parking or service brakes, and pre-coordinates the application sequence to prevent conflict. This preliminary action ensures optimal braking force application without system interference, minimizing stopping distance.
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 immediate brake response and compliance with safety standards by integrating electronic parking and service brakes, providing stable and efficient braking performance even when service brakes are not immediately available.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is configured to prevent simultaneous application of both the park brake and the service brake and allow only the service brake to be applied in response to the valve receiving sufficient pneumatic output to apply the service brake
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments presented herein relate to a system and method for integrating electronic parking brake and service brakes to improve performance of spring brake requests at road speed. In one embodiment, a vehicle is provided comprising: a park brake; a service brake, a controller, and a valve. The controller is configured to: receive a request to apply the park brake while the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed; and in response to receiving the request, simultaneously attempt to apply both the parking brake and the service brake. The valve is configured to prevent simultaneous application of both the park brake and the service brake and allow only the service brake to be applied in response to the valve receiving sufficient pneumatic output to apply the service brake. Other embodiments are provided.