Vehicle Stabilization System with Redundant Drive Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle stabilization systems fail to maintain stability at speeds above the critical driving speed, leading to increased yaw movement and instability in vehicle-trailer combinations, limiting maximum operating speed due to negative damping.

Innovation Solution

A stabilization system comprising multiple electric drive units with redundant individual motors and battery strings, where control devices manage wheel speed differences by applying torque to wheels through direct or indirect connections, ensuring fail-safe operation by compensating for faulty components and minimizing wheel speed disparities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vehicle speed is increased above the critical driving speed, then the productivity and transportation efficiency are improved, but the stability of the vehicle-trailer combination deteriorates due to negative damping causing increased yaw movement and potential overturning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization system applies preliminary counteracting forces to yaw movement before it becomes uncontrollable. Sensors detect yaw angle and rate of change, and the control system activates drive units or braking systems to generate stabilizing moments that oppose the yaw movement in advance, preventing the vehicle-trailer combination from reaching an unstable state even at speeds above critical velocity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as wheel speed differences, braking force distribution, and drive torque allocation to maintain stability. By adjusting these parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback, the system compensates for negative damping effects and enables stable operation at higher speeds than traditionally possible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a stabilization system with multiple drive units and control devices is implemented, then the reliability and fail-safe operation are improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple individual motors, battery strings, and control units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefail-safe operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization system is divided into modular segments including multiple independent drive units, separate battery strings, and distributed control devices. Each module can operate independently or in coordination, allowing the system to maintain functionality even when individual components fail, thus improving reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates redundant components such as multiple battery strings and multiple drive units per wheel assembly. These redundant elements serve as pre-prepared backups that automatically engage when primary components fail, cushioning against system failure and ensuring continuous stable operation without requiring complex real-time decision-making about component replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If friction elements are inserted between the coupling head and coupling shell to reduce yaw movement, then the stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision and coupling mechanism reliability deteriorate due to increased wear and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyaw movement controlVSAvoidcoupling mechanism integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces passive mechanical friction-based stabilization with an active electromechanical stabilization system. Electric drive units and controlled braking systems substitute for friction elements, providing yaw control through powered mechanisms rather than passive friction, thereby eliminating wear and damage issues associated with friction-based solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables safe operation of vehicle-trailer combinations at speeds greater than the critical speed by maintaining stability through fail-safe mechanisms, preventing accidents like trailer overturning and allowing continued driving below critical speeds.

Implementation Method 1

The first drive unit (101) comprises a multiplicity of individual motors and the at least one second drive unit (103) comprises a multiplicity of individual motors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A first group of individual motors of the first drive unit (101) and the at least one second drive unit (103) is connected to the first control device (107) and is to be supplied with electrical energy by the first battery string (111)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3792094A1Stabilisation system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3792094A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792094A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792094A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The presented invention relates to a stabilization system (100) for a vehicle, wherein the stabilization system (100) comprises as components a first drive unit (101) and at least one second drive unit (103), a first battery train (111) and at least one second battery train (115), a first control unit (107) and at least one second control unit (109). The first drive unit (101) comprises a plurality of individual motors (A1L, A2L, A3L, A4L, B1L, B2L, B3L, B4L) and the at least one second drive unit comprises a plurality of individual motors (A1R, A2R, A3R, A4R, B1R, B2R, B3R, B4R). A first group of individual motors of the first drive unit (101) and of the at least one second drive unit (103) is connected to the first control unit (107) and is supplied with electrical energy by the first battery train (111).A second group of individual motors of the first drive unit (101) and the at least one second drive unit (103) is connected to the second control unit (109) and supplied with electrical energy by the second battery string (115). The first control unit (107) and/or the at least one second control unit (109) are configured to monitor, in the event that at least one component of the stabilization system (100) is faulty, the respective remaining, non-faulty components of the stabilization system (100) in such a way as to minimize any wheel speed difference of the respective wheels driven by the respective drive units (101, 103) by means of the remaining components.