Redundant Vehicle Brake Actuation Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle braking systems are prone to failure if an intermediate component between the automatic control system and the braking mechanism fails, leading to potentially unsafe operating conditions, such as violating traffic signals, due to the potential for a single-point failure in communication of control signals.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle braking control system that includes a first and second actuation component, an automatic control system, and an intermediate control system, where the second actuation component is activated if the first actuation component or intermediate control system fails to initiate braking, ensuring the vehicle brakes are activated even if the primary control path is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single intermediate component is used to communicate control signals from the automatic control system to the braking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to single-point failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single intermediate control component into multiple separate control components (first control component and second control component). Each control component can independently receive control signals from the automatic control system and independently activate the braking mechanism, eliminating the single-point failure risk while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a backup control component that stands ready to take over if the primary control component fails. This redundant configuration provides beforehand cushioning against potential failures, ensuring that the braking system remains reliable even when one control component becomes inoperative.
2Reliability
If redundant control paths are added to prevent single-point failure, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function into multiple independent control components, each capable of performing the same braking activation function. This segmentation provides redundancy and improved reliability while keeping each individual control component relatively simple in structure, thereby managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the quantitative parameter of control components from one to two or more, creating redundant control paths. This parameter change increases reliability by providing alternative control paths while the modular nature of the control components helps manage the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a brake system onboard a vehicle, a first actuation component, an automatic control system, and a second actuation component. The first actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle when the first actuation component is activated. The automatic control system is onboard the vehicle and is configured to generate a first control signal for controlling the first actuation component to activate to upon occurrence of one or more designated conditions. The second actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle upon receipt of one of the first control signal or a second control signal generated by the automatic control system.