Vehicle Torque Bracing Control for Precise Low-Speed Maneuvering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle maneuvering systems face challenges in precise control at low speeds due to latency and imprecision in braking, especially in small spaces and varying environmental conditions, which affects driving comfort and safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a drive unit and braking unit that generate bracing and braking torques with controlled gradients to ensure precise control, where the braking torque is applied before or simultaneously with the drive torque, and adjusted dynamically to prevent unintentional acceleration, allowing for accurate stopping and maneuvering without latency losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional brakes are used as actuators for deceleration, then braking function is provided, but latency increases and precision deteriorates due to material displacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking precisionVSAvoidbraking latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brake unit is activated in advance before the drive unit to pre-establish braking readiness. This preliminary action ensures that when braking is required, the brake unit can respond immediately without latency, as it is already in an activated state ready to apply braking torque

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical brake actuation system with an electrically controlled brake unit that can be activated and controlled through electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for physical material displacement mechanisms, thereby reducing latency and improving braking precision while maintaining full braking functionality

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

2Reliability

If braking torque is applied to stop the vehicle, then vehicle stopping is achieved, but unintentional acceleration may occur due to torque imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle standstill reliabilityVSAvoidtorque control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the torques from both the drive unit and brake unit, and dynamically adjusts their activation to maintain torque balance. This feedback mechanism ensures that the vehicle reaches a reliable standstill without unintentional acceleration, as any torque imbalance is immediately detected and corrected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The brake unit is activated in advance before the drive unit to pre-establish braking readiness. This ensures that when the drive unit applies torque, the brake unit is already prepared to counterbalance it, preventing unintentional acceleration and ensuring precise vehicle standstill

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If drive torque is increased to improve acceleration control, then maneuvering speed improves, but braking precision deteriorates due to increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuvering speedVSAvoidbraking response time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brake unit is activated in advance before the drive unit to pre-establish braking readiness. This allows the drive unit to operate at higher speeds for improved maneuvering performance, while the pre-activated brake unit ensures immediate braking response when needed, eliminating the trade-off between speed and braking response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables precise and comfortable vehicle maneuvering by ensuring reliable braking and preventing unintentional acceleration, enhancing driving safety and efficiency, particularly during parking and trailer coupling operations.

Implementation Method 1

a brake unit (12) for braking the vehicle (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4101709B1Method, device and computer program for braced movement of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4101709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4101709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4101709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the tensioned movement of a vehicle (10) with a drive unit (11) for accelerating the vehicle (10) and a brake unit (12) for braking the vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: generating a tensioning drive torque by the drive unit (11), generating a braking torque by the brake unit (12) to compensate for the tensioning drive torque and thereby to generate a tensioning torque in the vehicle (10), and braking the vehicle (10) by reducing a drive torque. The invention further relates to a device (13) and a computer program (14) for carrying out the method according to the invention, as well as a storage medium (15) on which a computer program according to the invention is stored.