Wireless Remote Stop Actuator for Redundant Vehicle Braking

The braking system is divided into two independent subsystems: a mechanical braking subsystem and an electrical braking subsystem. Each subsystem can operate independently to apply braking force to the vehicle, ensuring that failure of one subsystem does not compromise the overall braking capability. This segmentation directly resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through redundancy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

The patent implements a remote stop actuator that can be activated from outside the vehicle to independently trigger the braking systems. This external override mechanism serves as a safety cushion against potential failures of the autonomous vehicle's onboard control systems, allowing remote intervention to stop the vehicle even when the primary control system fails or behaves errantly.

The remote stop actuator inverts the normal control logic: instead of requiring continuous signals to maintain control, the system is designed so that the absence or interruption of control signals automatically triggers the braking systems. This inversion allows the vehicle to stop in emergencies while maintaining remote control capability, as the remote operator can simply cease transmitting signals to initiate stopping.

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that monitors the control signals from the remote stop actuator. When signals are interrupted or when errant behavior is detected, this intermediary triggers the braking systems independently of the autonomous vehicle's control systems, serving as a safety mediator between remote control and emergency stopping.