Redundant Vehicle Brake Control via Parking Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake systems for commercial vehicles lack redundancy in control circuits, making them insufficient for highly automated or driverless operations, as they rely on trailer control modules or additional electro-pneumatic modulators, which are not always necessary or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A redundant brake system that includes a service brake control module and a parking brake control module, where both modules control pressure modules in parallel to ensure simultaneous braking of different sets of wheels, with an optional trailer control module and inverse valve for pneumatic control, allowing for redundant braking without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single circuit control is used in electro-pneumatic brake systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because driverless operation cannot compensate for control electronics malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into two independent pneumatic circuits: a service brake circuit and a parking brake circuit. Each circuit has its own control module (service brake control module and parking brake control module), allowing independent operation. This segmentation ensures that a malfunction in one circuit does not compromise the entire brake system, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a parking brake control module that can independently activate the parking brake chambers as a pre-prepared backup mechanism. This redundancy is built in advance to cushion against potential failures of the service brake control electronics, ensuring continuous braking capability during driverless operation.
2Reliability
If trailer control module or additional electro-pneumatic modulator is used for redundant brake system, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake control module is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the parking brake chambers for stationary braking and can also activate the service brake chambers through the existing first pressure module for emergency braking during driverless operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated backup hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the backup braking function into the existing parking brake infrastructure rather than adding separate trailer control modules or electro-pneumatic modulators. The parking brake control module integrates with the service brake pressure module to provide unified control, simplifying the hardware architecture while achieving redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a service brake control module and a parking brake with at least one spring brake chamber, the service brake control module controlling at least a first pressure module to brake a first set of wheels. The brake system comprises a parking brake control module configured to control the spring brake chamber to brake a second set of wheels and to control the first pressure module to brake the first set of wheels.