Ultrasonic Brake Pre-Boost Control for Short-Range Obstacle Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic brake controllers using a combination of cameras and millimeter wave radars fail to provide sufficient detection performance in situations where obstacles are close and moving slowly, leading to idle running times and limited application at higher vehicle speeds.

Innovation Solution

An automatic brake controller utilizing an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles, with a pre-boosting unit to increase brake fluid pressure and a brake activation unit to generate braking force based on reflection intensity thresholds, allowing for appropriate brake application at higher speeds and timely intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an ultrasonic sensor is used for automatic brake control, then detection performance at short distance and low speed is improved, but idle running time increases and application at higher vehicle speeds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection performanceVSAvoididle running time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using the ultrasonic sensor before the actual braking situation occurs. By continuously monitoring the external environment and detecting obstacles in advance, the system prepares for potential braking events, thereby reducing the idle running time when actual braking is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic brake controller dynamically adjusts its operation based on vehicle speed and detection results. The system activates the automatic brake function based on the vehicle speed and detection results, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and response time for different driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If an ultrasonic sensor is used for automatic brake control, then detection performance at short distance and low speed is improved, but application at higher vehicle speeds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection performanceVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters based on vehicle speed. When vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit activates the pump motor to increase brake fluid pressure in advance, enabling the ultrasonic sensor-based automatic brake to function effectively at higher speeds by compensating for the extended response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on vehicle speed conditions. The control unit determines whether to activate automatic brake based on real-time vehicle speed and ultrasonic sensor detection results, allowing the system to operate across a wider range of speeds by adjusting its response strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If brake fluid pressure is increased in advance by pre-boosting, then idle running time is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidle running timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump motor is activated in advance only when necessary - specifically when vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined threshold and an obstacle is detected. This conditional preliminary action reduces idle running time when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal low-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically controls the pump motor activation based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed and obstacle detection. This dynamic control ensures energy is consumed only when the pre-boosting function provides actual benefit, optimizing the balance between response time and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 idle running times by pre-boosting brake fluid pressure, enabling appropriate brake application at higher speeds and more timely intervention, thus enhancing safety and reducing driver discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic sensor mounted on a vehicle and configured to emit an ultrasonic wave in a traveling direction of the vehicle toward an obstacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4365039B1Automatic brake controller of vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4365039B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4365039B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4365039B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic brake controller (2) for a vehicle includes: an ultrasonic sensor (211) mounted on a vehicle and configured to emit an ultrasonic wave in a traveling direction of the vehicle toward an obstacle; and an automatic brake unit configured to automatically generate braking force of the vehicle based on reflection intensity (I) of the ultrasonic wave detected by the ultrasonic sensor (211). The automatic brake unit includes: a pre-boosting unit configured to increase brake fluid pressure (Poil) or activate a pump motor (M), when the reflection intensity (I) is larger than a first threshold (Iths1); and a brake activation unit configured to actually generate the braking force, when the reflection intensity (I) is larger than a second threshold (Iths2).