Automatic Vehicle Brake Transition Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic braking systems for vehicles face issues with energy efficiency, dynamic response, and reliability, particularly when transitioning from service brake to parking brake, leading to potential vehicle roll-away and excessive compressed air consumption.

Innovation Solution

The method automatically releases the service brake and applies the parking brake based on criteria such as engine shutdown, critical brake pressure limits, low on-board voltage, or parking brake defects, ensuring timely and secure transition without delay, using an electronic controller to manage the braking systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the service brake is held continuously to keep the vehicle at standstill, then the vehicle remains securely braked, but energy consumption increases and the brake tends to release after a certain period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between service brake and parking brake based on operating conditions (engine running vs. engine stopped). The service brake is used when energy is available, and the parking brake takes over when energy conservation is needed, creating a dynamic adaptation to energy availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the braking mechanism parameter from service brake (pneumatic, energy-consuming) to parking brake (spring-loaded, energy-independent) based on the engine state, altering the fundamental parameter of how braking force is generated and maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the parking brake is used to hold the vehicle at standstill, then energy consumption is reduced, but the braking dynamics are poor and a relatively large amount of compressed air is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidbraking dynamics
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the service brake when dynamic response is needed (engine running) and switches to parking brake when static holding is sufficient (engine stopped), dynamically adapting the braking system to the operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the active braking parameter based on engine state, using the high-dynamics service brake when energy is available and switching to the energy-efficient parking brake when the vehicle is stationary and engine is off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transition from service brake to parking brake is done with a ramp-like reduction of braking force, then the braking effect remains constant, but the implementation becomes complex and the vehicle may roll away unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking effect stabilityVSAvoidtransition control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parking brake is applied immediately when the engine stops, before any reduction of service brake pressure. This preliminary action ensures the parking brake is ready to take over fully, eliminating the need for complex ramp-like transitions and preventing vehicle roll-away

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of gradually reducing service brake while increasing parking brake (ramp-like transition), the system inverts the approach by applying the parking brake immediately and then releasing the service brake, achieving the same constant braking effect with simpler control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If the parking brake is applied during short standstill periods (e.g., at traffic lights), then the vehicle is securely held, but the response time increases and compressed air consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle holding securityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the service brake parameter (high dynamics, energy-consuming) during short standstill periods when the engine is running, and switches to the parking brake parameter (low dynamics, energy-independent) only when the engine is stopped, optimizing the balance between response time and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances safety by preventing unintentional vehicle roll-away, reduces energy consumption, and maintains a stable braking effect, ensuring efficient energy use and quick response in critical situations.

Implementation Method 1

the parking brake is formed by a spring-loaded brake with a storage spring that acts against a piston that can be pressurized with compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP1888388B1Method for automatically breaking a vehicle equipped with an electronically controlled brake system
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP1888388B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1888388B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for automatically braking, i.e. without active brake actuation by the driver, a vehicle that is equipped with an electronically controlled brake system. Said brake system comprises an electrically actuated service brake that can be impinged upon with a service brake pressure pB and an electrically actuated parking brake that can be impinged upon with a parking brake pressure pF. Starting from a state in which the vehicle is in a standstill due to the force applied to the brake, the service brake is released and force is applied to the parking brake depending on a triggering criterion. The invention is characterized in that force is applied to the parking brake in response to the triggering criterion without delay, said triggering criterion being one of the following: a) the drive of the vehicle is turned off; b) the service brake pressure pB decreases to a critical brake pressure threshold value; c) the service brake is out of service; d) the on-board voltage of the vehicle decreases to a critical voltage threshold value; e) the parking brake cannot be manually applied due to a failure; f) actuation of an operational control for applying force to the parking brake.