Vehicle Retarding Control Using Energy Accumulation Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling vehicle retarding subsystems in heavy vehicles, particularly in hilly areas, are inadequate for ensuring safe operation and efficient energy management, leading to potential brake overheating and reduced control precision.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the current energy accumulation and sustainable power capacity of multiple vehicle retarding subsystems, such as friction brakes, electric propulsion, and internal combustion engines, using predefined models and limits to manage energy dissipation and control vehicle speed based on topographical and ambient conditions, facilitating safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple vehicle retarding subsystems are combined to provide brake action, then the retarding capacity is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vehicle retarding subsystems (friction brakes, electric propulsion system, internal combustion engine) into a unified retarding system. The control method integrates these subsystems by determining their individual energy accumulation states and coordinating their operation through a common control strategy that allocates retarding requirements among subsystems based on their current capacity and energy state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors and utilizes dynamic parameter changes in each retarding subsystem, specifically energy accumulation parameters (brake temperature, battery state of charge, engine temperature). By continuously tracking these parameters and adjusting subsystem allocation based on their changing states, the system optimizes retarding capacity while managing control complexity through parameter-based decision making.
2Reliability
If vehicle speed is reduced to prevent brake overheating, then brake safety is improved, but travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of the retarding energy capacity available from each subsystem before brake action is required. By determining the energy accumulation state in advance (brake temperature, battery charge capacity, engine temperature), the system can proactively allocate retarding requirements to appropriate subsystems, preventing brake overheating while maintaining optimal vehicle speed without unnecessary delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method introduces an intermediary energy management layer that mediates between the retarding requirement and the actual brake application. This intermediary system evaluates the energy accumulation state of friction brakes and redirects retarding requirements to alternative subsystems (electric propulsion, engine braking) when brake energy capacity is insufficient, thereby preventing overheating while maintaining travel efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If retarding energy capacity is increased by utilizing multiple subsystems, then the energy dissipation capability is improved, but the measurement and control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor energy accumulation parameters in each retarding subsystem (brake temperature, battery state of charge, engine temperature). This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the allocation of retarding requirements among subsystems, ensuring optimal energy dissipation capability while managing measurement and control difficulty through systematic parameter monitoring and responsive control adjustment.
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
Enhances the precision and safety of vehicle control, allowing for faster travel while preventing subsystem damage and ensuring safe operation in hilly terrains by optimizing energy use across different retarding systems.
Implementation Method 1
For a friction brake subsystem, the energy accumulation may for example be indicated by one or several of a brake component temperature
Implementation Method 2
For an electric propulsion system in retardation mode, the energy accumulation may for example be indicated by one or several of a state of charge of the battery
Implementation Method 3
For an internal combustion engine (ICE) in retardation mode, the energy accumulation may for example be indicated by one or several of a temperature, and engine speed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of operating a vehicle (1) comprising at least a first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13) controllable to retard the vehicle (1), and processing circuitry (15) coupled to the at least first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13), the method comprising the steps of: acquiring (S10), by the processing circuitry (15) from the first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13), at least one value indicative of current energy accumulation by the first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13); and determining (S11), by the processing circuitry (15), a measure indicative of a retardation energy capacity currently available for retardation of the vehicle (1), based on: the acquired at least one value indicative of current energy accumulation by the first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13); a predefined model of retardation energy accumulation by the first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13); and a predefined limit indicative of a maximum allowed energy accumulation by the first vehicle retarding subsystem (3; 5; 13).