Brake systems integrated into vehicle corner modules and methods of use thereof

A Vehicle Corner Module (VCM) based brake system adapted to be disposed within a VCM connectable to a vehicle platform, between a wheel assembled to the VCM and the vehicle platform, the VCM-based brake system comprising:

• (a) a brake actuator, adapted to regulate the rotation rate of the wheel assembled to the VCM;
• (b) a fluid based brake power source, fluidly connected to the brake actuator and adapted to provide brake fluid for operating the brake actuator;
• and
• (c) a brake-control-circuit, functionally associated with the brake actuator and with the brake power source, and adapted to provide functional inputs to the brake actuator based on a target rotation rate profile desired for the wheel,
• wherein all mechanical components of the VCM-based brake system are disposed within the VCM, and
• wherein the VCM-based brake system is air-tight, and fluid-tight, within the VCM.

A Vehicle Corner Module (VCM) based brake system adapted to be disposed within a VCM connectable to a vehicle platform, between a wheel assembled to the VCM and the vehicle platform, the VCM-based brake system comprising:

• (a) a brake actuator, adapted to regulate the rotation rate of the wheel assembled to the VCM;
• (b) a fluid based brake power source, fluidly connected to the brake actuator and adapted to provide brake fluid for operating the brake actuator;
• and
• (c) a brake-control-circuit, functionally associated with the brake actuator and with the brake power source, and adapted to provide functional inputs to the brake actuator based on a target rotation rate profile desired for the wheel,
• wherein all mechanical components of the VCM-based brake system are disposed within the VCM, and
• wherein the VCM-based brake system is mechanically decoupled from the vehicle platform.

A Vehicle Corner Module (VCM) based brake system adapted to be between a wheel assembled to a VCM connectable to a vehicle platform, and the vehicle platform, the VCM-based brake system comprising:

• (a) a brake actuator, adapted to regulate the rotation rate of the wheel assembled to the VCM;
• (b) a brake power source, mechanically connected to the brake actuator and adapted to provide power for operating the brake actuator;
• and
• (c) a brake-control-circuit, functionally associated with the brake actuator and with the brake power source, and adapted to provide functional inputs to the brake actuator based on a target rotation rate profile desired for the wheel,
• wherein the brake actuator, the brake power source, and the brake-control-circuit are disposed within the VCM.

A method of operating a Vehicle Corner Module (VCM)-based brake system including at least one control circuit, the VCM-based brake system being disposed within a VCM, the method comprising:

• at the control circuit, obtaining a measured wheel rotation rate of a wheel mounted onto the VCM;
• at the control circuit, obtaining a target wheel rotation rate for the wheel;
• comparing the measured wheel rotation rate to the target wheel rotation rate;
• in response to identifying that the actual wheel rotation rate is higher than the target wheel rotation rate, activating a brake actuator of the VCM-based brake system;
• and
• in response to identifying that the actual wheel rotation rate is lower than the target wheel rotation rate, deactivating the brake actuator of the VCM-based brake system.

A method of operating a Vehicle Corner Module (VCM)-based brake system including at least one control circuit, the VCM-based brake system including a brake modulator and a pressure modulator, the VCM-based brake system being disposed within a VCM, the method comprising:

• pressurizing brake fluid and storing the pressurized brake fluid in an accumulator of the pressure modulator;
• at the control circuit, obtaining a measured brake fluid pressure in a fluid line between the pressure modulator and a brake actuator of the VCM-based brake system;
• at the control circuit, obtaining a target fluid pressure required in the fluid line;
• comparing the measured brake fluid pressure to the target fluid pressure;
• in response to identifying that the measured brake fluid pressure rate is higher than the target fluid pressure, deactivating the brake actuator;
• and
• in response to identifying that the the measured brake fluid pressure rate is higher than the target fluid pressure, activating the brake actuator.