Vehicle Control Device Slope Detection EPB Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with shift-by-wire systems and electric parking brake systems, the torque required for releasing the parking mechanism on a slope is not reduced when the electric parking brake's automatic operation function is disabled, limiting the miniaturization of the shift actuator due to increased mechanical forces from gravity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with a disabling determination part, a vehicle stop determination part, and an EPB automatic operation part that automatically operates the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped on a slope, regardless of the disabling request, reducing the force on the shift range switching mechanism and thus the torque needed for parking release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric parking brake's automatic operation function is disabled, then the driver has more control flexibility, but the torque required for releasing the parking mechanism on a slope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the EPB automatic operation status based on vehicle conditions (slope detection, stopping detection). When the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the system automatically activates the EPB function regardless of the disabling request, while allowing the disabling request to take effect on flat surfaces, creating a dynamic control strategy that adapts to operational context
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies different control strategies to different operational contexts: on slopes, the EPB automatic operation is强制 activated to reduce release torque, while on flat surfaces, the driver's disabling request is respected. This localized quality approach targets the specific condition (slope) where the problem occurs without affecting overall system flexibility
2Volume of moving object
If the shift actuator is miniaturized, then the design flexibility is improved, but the torque required for parking release must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically activating the electric parking brake before the driver attempts to release the parking mechanism on a slope. This preliminary braking action reduces the gravitational force on the shift range switching mechanism, thereby reducing the torque required for subsequent parking release and enabling miniaturization of the shift actuator
Solution Approach 2:
The electric parking brake acts as a counterweight force to offset the gravitational force acting on the vehicle when stopped on a slope. By applying braking force, the system counteracts gravity's effect on the shift mechanism, reducing the net force that the miniaturized shift actuator must overcome during parking release
Data Source
AI summary
A parking brake control device is a control device for a vehicle used in a vehicle on which a shift by wire system and an electric parking brake system are mounted. A function of automatically operating an electric parking brake without an operation of the driver of the vehicle is referred to as an EPB automatic operation function, and a request by the driver for disabling the EPB automatic operation function is referred to as a disabling request. The parking brake control device includes a disabling determination part configured to determine a presence or absence of the disabling request, a vehicle stop determination part configured to determine whether the vehicle is stopped, a slope determination part configured to determine whether the vehicle is located on a slope, and an EPB automatic operation part. The EPB automatic operation part operates the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped on the slope even if the disabling request is made.