Servo-Assist Brake Pedal Control for Low-Force Vehicle Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current braking systems require significant force from the driver, which can be a barrier for disabled, elderly, or physically impaired individuals, and may lead to fatigue in operators of vehicles that require frequent braking, such as taxis and commercial trucks.
Innovation Solution
A servo-assist braking system that includes a pressure sensor on the brake pedal, a servomotor actuator, and a controller to reduce the effort needed to apply the brakes, allowing for adjustable sensitivity and easy operation with minimal force, suitable for retrofitting existing vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional braking system is used, then the braking force is sufficient to stop the vehicle, but the force required from the driver is too great for disabled, elderly, or physically impaired individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical force transmission system with an electronic control system. A load cell sensor detects the driver's input force, and an electric motor (servo actuator) generates the amplified braking force, substituting mechanical force multiplication with electromechanical actuation. This allows disabled individuals who can apply small forces to achieve full braking capability through electronic assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the force parameter relationship between driver input and actual braking output. The load cell measures the small force applied by the driver, and the controller amplifies this signal to command the servo motor to generate the corresponding large braking force. This parameter transformation enables individuals with limited physical strength to operate the braking system effectively.
2Ease of operation
If a brake assist system is added to help disabled individuals, then ease of operation improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the brake assist functionality into the existing brake pedal mechanism, allowing the same pedal to serve both conventional drivers and disabled individuals. The load cell is incorporated into the brake pedal assembly, and the servo motor works alongside the traditional vacuum booster, creating a universal system that automatically adapts to different user needs without requiring separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when assist is needed through the load cell measurement of driver input force. The controller continuously monitors the force applied and automatically activates the servo motor to provide the appropriate level of assistance, eliminating the need for manual activation or complex switching mechanisms. The system self-regulates based on real-time sensor feedback.
3Ease of operation
If the braking system is made more sensitive to reduce required force, then ease of operation improves, but the risk of improper use by non-disabled drivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell provides continuous feedback on the force applied by the driver. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the servo motor output, ensuring that the braking force is always proportional to the driver's intent. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents over-braking or improper use, as the system responds precisely to the actual force applied rather than operating on fixed sensitivity settings.
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 reduces the required braking force from approximately 150 pounds to as little as four pounds, enabling easier operation by handicapped, elderly, or physically impaired individuals and reducing operator fatigue, while maintaining conventional braking functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensor measures a pressure applied by a foot of a user upon the brake pedal and to produce an output signal proportional to the pressure that is applied
Implementation Method 2
a brake actuator applies a force to the brake of the vehicle... The controller converts the output signal of the pressure sensor to a signal for moving the brake actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A brake assist system for a vehicle has a pressure sensor adapted to be affixed to a brake pedal of the vehicle, a brake actuator connected to the brake of the vehicle, and a controller connected or interconnected to the pressure sensor and to the brake actuator. The pressure sensor measures a pressure applied by a foot of a user of the vehicle upon the brake pedal and to produce an output signal proportional to the pressure applied. The brake actuator applies a force to the brake of the vehicle. The controller converts the output signal of the pressure sensor to a signal for moving the brake actuator. The brake actuator is a servomotor. The controller is adjustable so as to change a signal from the brake actuator relative to the output signal of the pressure sensor.