Slope Brake Pressure Estimation for Low-Speed Hill Hold Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems inaccurately calculate brake pressure on slopes due to fluctuations in vehicle body acceleration sensors and inaccurate wheel speed acceleration at low speeds, leading to excessive braking or slipping.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine brake pressure by calculating pre-braking and in-braking slope estimated values using vehicle acceleration, wheel speed, and time, and adjust pressure based on these values using an observer algorithm to ensure accurate brake pressure determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vehicle body acceleration sensor is used to determine slope, then slope measurement is obtained, but sensor fluctuates greatly during vehicle movement and starting/parking, leading to inaccurate brake pressure determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslope measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that combines multiple measurement sources (vehicle body acceleration sensor, wheel speed sensor, and observer algorithm) to derive the slope estimated value. This intermediary computation filters out fluctuations from individual sensors by integrating data through a unified algorithmic framework, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the raw acceleration sensor data into a more reliable form by changing the parameter representation through computational processing. The slope estimated value is derived not directly from the acceleration sensor reading but through a transformed parameter that combines multiple sources, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If wheel speed acceleration is used to determine slope, then calculation is performed, but calculation is inaccurate at low speed, leading to unreasonable brake pressure determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel speed acceleration accuracyVSAvoidlow-speed calculation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses low-speed inaccuracy by changing the computational parameters used in the observer algorithm. At low speeds, the system adjusts the calculation methodology to account for reduced signal reliability, using alternative parameter relationships that remain accurate across the full speed range, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and low-speed reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the calculation methodology based on operating conditions. The observer algorithm dynamically adjusts its computation strategy based on vehicle speed and other operational parameters, ensuring reliable slope estimation across varying conditions including low-speed scenarios where traditional wheel speed acceleration calculations fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If single slope estimation method is used, then calculation is simplified, but cannot ensure accurate brake pressure under different working conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm complexityVSAvoidbrake pressure determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal slope estimation algorithm that serves multiple functions across different working conditions. The unified observer-based approach replaces multiple condition-specific algorithms with a single multi-functional computational framework that automatically adapts to various operating scenarios, thereby maintaining reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple measurement sources and calculation methods into a single integrated observer algorithm. By combining vehicle body acceleration data, wheel speed data, and slope estimation logic into one unified computational system, the patent achieves accurate brake pressure determination across all conditions while avoiding the complexity of managing separate algorithms for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12377826B2Slope brake pressure determining method and determining system, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.05 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • US12377826B2 patent drawing
  • US12377826B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a slope brake pressure determining method and system. The method includes: a pre-braking slope estimated value is determined according to a specified cycle, where a current pre-braking slope estimated value is determined and is used as a first slope estimated value aestimate1, and a pre-braking slope estimated value of a previous cycle that is latched prior to the establishment of brake pressure is used as a second slope estimated value aestimate2; an instantaneous vehicle speed vbrake prior to the establishment of the brake pressure is latched, a vehicle traveling distance lbrake and time tbrake are accumulated, and an in-braking slope estimated value aslop is determined based on the instantaneous vehicle speed vbrake, the vehicle traveling distance lbrake, and the time tbrake; and pre-braking pressure p1 and in-braking pressure p2 are determined based on the second slope estimated value aestimate2 and a third slope estimated value aestimate3, respectively, initial brake pressure p3 is determined based on the pre-braking pressure p1 and the in-braking pressure p2, and final brake pressure p4 is determined based on the initial brake pressure p3. According to the invention, the brake pressure can be accurately determined.