Steering Column Lock Emergency Braking Circuit for Fault Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering column lock systems fail to ensure reliable active motor braking in case of electronics malfunctions or power supply failures, leading to unintended movement of the locking element.
Innovation Solution
An emergency braking function is implemented through an electronic circuit arrangement that includes a monitoring system to detect faults and activate an emergency brake arrangement, which can initiate short-circuit braking of the drive unit to prevent overrunning, even in fault conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the electronics are used to control the motor for precise positioning of the locking element, then the control precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because braking cannot be performed if the electronics malfunction or power supply fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent pathways: a normal control pathway using electronics for precise positioning, and an emergency control pathway using a separate emergency braking circuit with monitoring unit. This segmentation allows the emergency function to operate independently when the main electronics fail, resolving the contradiction between precision control and braking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A monitoring unit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the emergency braking circuit. It continuously monitors the power supply status and automatically activates the emergency braking circuit when faults are detected, bridging the gap between normal operation and emergency braking without requiring complex control logic.
2Ease of operation
If the motor is controlled by electronics to brake through short circuit, then the braking control is improved, but the reliability worsens because motor overrun can still occur during power supply failures
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency braking circuit is pre-charged through the monitoring unit during normal operation. When a power supply failure or electronic malfunction is detected, the pre-charged emergency circuit can immediately activate without waiting for control signals, ensuring reliable braking action even when the main control system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency braking circuit is designed to be self-activating through the monitoring unit that automatically detects faults and triggers the braking mechanism without requiring external control signals. This self-service capability ensures braking reliability independent of the main control system's operational status.
3Reliability
If an emergency braking arrangement with monitoring unit is added, then the braking reliability is improved in fault conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency braking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated circuit from the main control system. This extraction allows the emergency function to operate independently with minimal interaction with the complex main control electronics, adding only necessary monitoring and activation components while avoiding propagation of main system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit serves multiple functions: it monitors power supply status, detects electronic malfunctions, charges the emergency braking circuit during normal operation, and automatically activates emergency braking when faults are detected. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Ensures reliable braking and prevents unintended movement of the locking element by switching to emergency mode upon detecting faults, such as power supply issues, thereby maintaining safety and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
initiate a short circuit (50) in the drive unit (30) and in particular thus to initiate braking as a short-circuit braking
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for providing an emergency braking function in a safety device (1) of a vehicle, comprising: - an electronic control arrangement (20) for controlling a drive unit (30) to drive a safety mechanism of the safety device (1) in normal operation, wherein the control arrangement (20) is configured to initiate braking of the drive unit (30), - an electronic monitoring arrangement (40) for monitoring the control arrangement (20) to switch from normal operation to fault operation depending on the monitoring, - an emergency braking arrangement (50) to initiate braking of the drive unit (30) in fault operation, wherein the monitoring arrangement (40) is connected to the emergency braking arrangement (50) to activate the emergency braking arrangement (50) for braking in fault operation.