Slope Hold Braking Control via Sensor-Driven Force Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driving a vehicle on a slope is challenging, particularly when transitioning from braking to accelerating, as it requires precise coordination of pedals and can lead to engine stalling or vehicle displacement, especially for drivers who struggle with managing brake and clutch operations.
Innovation Solution
A process that uses sensors to determine the vehicle's state and automatically activate or release a braking system based on predefined conditions, including slope, velocity, and gear position, to assist drivers in maintaining control on slopes by calculating and applying the necessary braking force, allowing for smooth transitions from braking to accelerating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver manually operates the brake and accelerator pedals to pull away on a slope, then the vehicle can be moved, but the operation becomes complex and stressful leading to engine stalling and vehicle displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to assist itself automatically by detecting slope conditions and gear position, then autonomously applying or releasing braking force without requiring complex manual coordination from the driver
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical coordination of brake and accelerator pedals with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and a controller to manage braking force based on vehicle state parameters
2Stability of the object's composition
If the driver keeps the brake pedal depressed to maintain stationary position on a slope, then the vehicle remains stable, but the driver cannot perform other operations requiring brake release
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's control system autonomously manages the braking function by detecting when the vehicle is stationary on a slope and automatically applying the necessary braking force, freeing the driver from continuous brake pedal depression
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the driver's intent and the braking system, automatically interpreting vehicle state parameters and executing appropriate braking actions without requiring direct driver intervention
3Productivity
If the driver attempts to coordinate brake and clutch operations to pull away on a slope, then movement can be achieved, but the complex activation often fails causing engine stalling and vehicle displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical coordination task with an electronic control system that automatically manages braking force based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for manual brake-clutch-accelerator coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects the vehicle's gear position and slope conditions, then self-manages the braking release timing and force to ensure successful pulling away without driver intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A process for assisting the driving of a vehicle provided with a braking system including brake calipers able to be activated as a function of a target braking force, including the steps of: determining an instantaneous state of the vehicle defined by state variables measured by sensors with which the vehicle is provided; testing a logical entry condition verified when the velocity of the vehicle is zero and when the slope is greater than a pre-defined slope; when the logical entry condition is verified, testing a logical exit condition; automatically operating the braking system to keep the vehicle static on the slope while the logical exit condition is not verified; and automatically releasing the activation of the braking system when the logical exit condition is verified.