Proportional Park Brake Input Device with Integrated Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronically controlled vehicle park brake systems face challenges in easy and reliable installation, particularly in commercial vehicles, where the park brake input device's integration and control mechanisms are not optimized for proportional braking effects.
Innovation Solution
A park brake system with an electronically controlled ECU that uses a park brake input device featuring an operating member, sensors, and a controller circuit to generate digital signals for proportional braking, where the operating member is mechanically biased to return to a neutral position, and the controller circuit compensates for position deviations to ensure accurate digital signal communication to the ECU, enabling proportional force application to the park brake actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a park brake input device with operating member and sensor is used to control park brake activation, then the braking control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit is integrated directly into the park brake input device housing, combining the sensor, processing unit, and communication interface into a single compact module. This merging approach maintains high braking control precision while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating separate mounting requirements and simplifying wiring harness connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller circuit serves as an intermediary between the sensor detecting operating member position and the ECU controlling the park brake actuator. This intermediary processes sensor signals, generates appropriate digital commands, and compensates for position deviations, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity through modular functional separation.
2Ease of operation
If the operating member is mechanically biased to return to neutral position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the operating member position and provides feedback to the controller circuit. The controller detects deviations from the theoretical neutral position and compensates by adjusting the digital signal sent to the ECU. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate braking control even when manufacturing variations cause slight neutral position offsets, thereby maintaining ease of operation while managing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If digital signal communication is used between input device and ECU, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: reading sensor signals, determining operating member position, generating digital commands, compensating for position deviations, and communicating with the ECU. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional module, the system achieves reliable digital communication while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
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
The system achieves a reliable and easy installation of the park brake input device, allowing for precise control of the park brake activation, providing proportional braking efforts from full to zero, and intermediate levels, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in commercial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor to determine the instant position of the operating member with respect to the base may comprise a magneto-resistive sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a park brake system for a vehicle, wherein the park brake system is electronically controlled through a park brake ECU (20) to achieve a proportional braking effect according to signals received from a park brake input device ( 10), characterized in that the park brake input device ( 10) comprises: - an operating member (14) to control the degree of activation of the park brake; - at least one sensor (16) to determine the instant position of the operating member (14) with respect to the base (12) between a first position and a second position; - a controller circuit (18) for generating a digital signal indicative of the degree of activation of the park brake requested by the user and for communicating ( 19, 22) this digital signal to at least the park brake ECU (20).