Transmission-Based Backup Braking for Primary Brake Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with automatic transmission, if an abnormality occurs in the braking control unit or device, the vehicle cannot be decelerated or stopped effectively, especially in unmanned automatic traveling scenarios, as existing dual system configurations complicate the vehicle structure and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
An alternative braking apparatus using a gear type automatic transmission with a clutch and brake system, where the control unit switches shift stages by controlling the clutch and brake to transmit braking force to the output shaft through gears, allowing the vehicle to be decelerated and stopped without a dual braking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual braking system is configured to ensure vehicle stopping capability when primary braking fails, then vehicle safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic transmission system is designed to perform multiple functions: normal gear shifting during vehicle operation and alternative braking when the primary braking system fails. The clutch and brake components within the transmission are controlled to transmit braking force from the brake to the output shaft through gear meshing, enabling the transmission to serve as a backup braking mechanism without requiring separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The alternative braking function is merged with the existing automatic transmission system rather than being implemented as a separate dual braking system. The control unit integrates the alternative braking control with the normal transmission control, using the same clutch and brake components for both gear shifting and emergency braking purposes, thereby reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a dual braking system is configured to provide backup braking capability, then vehicle safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic transmission components (clutch, brake, gears) are designed to perform dual functions: normal transmission operation and alternative braking. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated backup braking components, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining braking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic transmission system serves itself by using its own internal components (clutch, brake, gear meshing mechanism) to provide alternative braking capability. The system utilizes existing components rather than requiring external backup systems, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
An alternative braking apparatus for a vehicle includes a gear type automatic transmission having at least one clutch and at least one brake for changing the meshing state of gears, and a control unit configured to switch the shift stage of the automatic transmission by controlling the clutch and the brake. The control unit is configured to perform alternative braking that controls the clutch and the brake so that an output shaft of the automatic transmission is braked by a braking force of the brake through the gears when the control unit determines that a braking device of the vehicle cannot normally apply braking forces to wheels despite that the vehicle needs to be braked.