Compact electromechanical brake

Abstract

An electromechanical drum brake comprising two brake segments (3, 4) intended to contact a drum, at least one actuator (110) configured to press the segments (3, 4) against the drum, and an electric motor (22) configured to operate the actuator (110), the actuator (110) including at least one member (18) movable in response to actuation of the actuator (110), the movable member (18) being movable between a braking position and a position beyond a release position at which the segments are no longer in contact with the drum. The actuator (110) includes a stopper (126) disposed solely within the actuator against which the movable element (18) presses when it assumes a position beyond the release position, and a motor that powers the actuator until the movable element (18) presses the stopper (126).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an at least partially electrically actuated automotive brake that provides higher compactness.

Background Art

[0002] In many current automobiles, the service brakes are provided by disk brakes and / or drum brakes.

[0003] They perform the service brake function even for decelerating or stopping the automobile. The parking brake function aims to keep the stopped vehicle stationary, and the emergency brake function is usually achieved using a system that provides the parking brake.

[0004] The parking brake can be applied by pulling a lever arranged in the passenger compartment, which is connected via a brake cable to a mechanism arranged within the drum brake or disk brake. The mechanism is configured to spread the brake shoes of the drum brake and press them against the drum. In the case of a disk brake, the brake pads are tightened against the brake disk.

[0005] To improve the driver's comfort and safety in applying the parking brake, the automotive industry has developed an electric parking brake.

[0006] For example, an actuator equipped with an electric motor is arranged at least for each rear brake to apply the brake.

[0007] The driver operates the electric parking brake, for example, by pressing a button arranged on the dashboard.

[0008] The electric parking brake system includes a DC electric motor, and its use is recommended in Non-Patent Document 1 of the German Automobile Industry Association.

[0009] In disc brakes, a piston is generally moved by an actuator and presses the brake pads against the brake disc. In drum brakes, the actuator is positioned, for example, between the brake shoes and acts as a fixed point via a wheel cylinder when the service brake is applied. The actuator is, for example, a screw-nut type and pushes the shoes apart.

[0010] The actuator does not have sensors to determine the relative position of the brake's mechanical elements. The state of the applied brake can be determined by measuring the current and / or voltage across the terminals of the electric motor. In fact, an increase in current and / or voltage corresponds to the parking brake being applied.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to avoid damage to the brakes, it is currently desirable that no components come into contact with a mechanical stopper during the release stroke, for example, that the piston does not come into contact with the bottom of the caliper.

[0012] The relative positions of the mechanical elements of the parking brake during application are currently obtained using estimations based on the values ​​of the current and / or voltage between the motor terminals, for example, by determining the application position by counting the number of rotations of the actuator nut. However, the estimation of the relative positions of the mechanical elements of the brake at the end of the brake release phase is not very accurate. To account for this inaccuracy and to prevent contact between brake components, an error margin is allowed around the estimated position. Furthermore, an additional safety margin is incorporated to account for dimensional inaccuracies inherent in brake manufacturing. As a result, these errors and safety margins are incorporated into the brake dimensional setting. Thus, the brake has a certain overall size. Moreover, due to the inaccuracy in the position of the components in the released state, the starting position for the next braking action is unknown. In addition, the stroke that the component(s) will cover is extended, which increases the brake application time and the time the actuator is making noise.

[0013] Patent Document 1 describes a drum brake that includes an electric actuator for a parking brake with a lever. As a result, it has a large overall size. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0345989 [Non-patent literature]

[0015] [Non-Patent Document 1] German Automobile Industry Association (VDA) Recommendation [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0016] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an automobile brake that is compact and at least partially electrically actuated, offering greater control accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] The above objective is achieved by an automotive brake that includes at least one electric actuator for moving one or more elements of the brake to apply braking force to an element rotatable integrally with the wheel, wherein the actuator includes at least one mechanical stopper, and the actuator is controlled so that, in the brake release phase, the at least one movable element of the actuator presses against the stopper. Since the position of the stopper is known within the manufacturing clearance, the position of the at least one element is known with high accuracy. This allows the brake to be sized as accurately as possible, i.e., without taking into account margins resulting from inaccuracies in the estimation of the retraction position. Furthermore, the stroke that must be moved to apply the brake is reduced, resulting in a shorter brake application time. The time during which the actuator emits noise and other times that cause discomfort to the driver and passengers of the vehicle are also effectively reduced.

[0018] In other words, the actuator is constructed such that the position of at least one movable element can be arbitrarily set to the deactivated state of the brake, thereby reducing uncertainty about its position, and thus having greater freedom in selecting the dimensions of the actuator, for example, so that it can be made more compact.

[0019] In one example, the brake includes an electric actuator for applying the parking brake and a hydraulic actuator for providing a service brake function.

[0020] In another example, the brake is fully electrically actuated and the actuator provides both parking and service braking.

[0021] In one example, the actuator is of the screw - nut type and the stopper means includes teeth on the thread that form a stopper for the nut. In another example, the actuator includes elastically deformable means having the ability to store energy, and the stopper means forms a stopper for at least a part of the elastically deformable means.

[0022] One object of the present invention is achieved by an electromechanical brake including at least one friction member for contacting a friction portion rotatable integrally with a wheel, at least one actuator configured to press the friction member against the friction portion, and an electric motor configured to operate the actuator, the actuator including at least one movable element responsive to operation of the actuator, the movable element being movable between a braking position where the friction member contacts the friction portion and a position beyond a release position where the friction member ceases to contact the friction portion. The actuator includes stopper means arranged to press the stopper means when the movable element takes a position beyond the release position, and the electric motor is controlled to operate the actuator until the movable element presses the stopper means during the brake release phase.

[0023] Preferably, the electromechanical brake includes a control unit including means for controlling the power supply to the electric motor and means for measuring the power consumption of the electric motor, and the control means is configured to stop the power supply to the electric motor when the power consumption exceeds a predetermined value.

[0024] Conveniently, the actuator is configured to apply at least a parking brake, and the brake includes a second actuator for applying a service brake.

[0025] For example, the brake is a drum brake including a drum, a back plate, and two shoes, and the actuator is attached to the back plate.

[0026] In one advantageous example, the actuator includes a screw - nut assembly, the nut forms the movable element, the screw includes a head and a rod with a screw pitch, the head forms a piston pressing one of the brake shoes, and the stopper means includes teeth arranged to contact the nut when it takes a position beyond the release position, protruding from the thread.

[0027] For example, the actuator includes a body and elastically deformable means capable of storing energy when the operation of the actuator is applied, at least a part of the deformable means forms the movable element, and the body may include the stopper means.

[0028] Also, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a method for manufacturing an electromechanical brake according to the present invention, and the method includes: (a) determining the position of the at least one movable element beyond which the brake is released; (b) determining the position of the stopper means with respect to the release position such that the distance between the stopper means from the release position is opened using at least one manufacturing clearance associated with the method; (c) making the stopper means in the actuator at the position determined in step (b); (d) assembling the actuator and the friction member. including.

[0029] The present invention will be better understood based on the following description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the estimated movement of the movable elements of the actuator in a conventional electromechanical brake. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the estimated movement of the movable element of the actuator of an electromechanical brake according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of an example of an electric parking brake drum brake according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a partially broken perspective view of an example actuator for a drum brake according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of an actuator for a drum brake according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Figure 3 shows a "dual-mode" drum brake 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The drum brake 1 includes a drum (not shown) that is movable integrally with a wheel (not shown), and an X-axis rotating back plate 2 to which arc-shaped first and second shoes 3 and 4 are mounted, the shoes being radially movable so as to be able to press against the cylindrical inner surface of the drum (not shown).

[0033] The shoes 3 and 4 each include webs 3a and 4a made from flat sheets shaped like a portion of a circular crown that carries brake linings 3b and 4b, respectively, and are mounted back-to-back with their diameters separated from each other, with their ends both supported on a hydraulic wheel cylinder 6 and a mechanical actuator 10, which are carried by a back plate 2. These shoes 3 and 4 are further biased toward each other by two return springs 8 and 9 and each is pressed against the back plate 2 by so-called side springs.

[0034] The wear adjustment connecting rod 7 extends along the wheel cylinder 6 and has a first end located on the web 3a of the first shoe 3 and a second end located on the web 4a of the second shoe 4 when the brake is in the resting position.

[0035] The wheel cylinder 6 is for operating when the drum brake 1 is used according to a first so-called "simplex" operating mode, ensuring progressive braking that is particularly suited to braking a vehicle in motion. It encloses a hydraulic chamber closed at both ends by two pistons, and as the hydraulic pressure increases, these pistons move away from each other, pushing the associated ends of the shoes 3 and 4.

[0036] Meanwhile, the mechanical actuator 10 ensures parking and emergency braking by pushing open the associated end of the shoe, particularly when the wheel cylinder 6 is not operating, in accordance with a so-called "duo-servo" operating mode, thereby ensuring a quick and powerful lock of the vehicle's wheels. This actuator is driven by an electric motor 22. In the illustrated example, the wheel cylinder includes two opposite pistons, each of which acts by separating one of the shoes 3 and 4 from their two ends 3.1, 4.1, i.e., the ends located on the same side of the rotation axis X, here referred to as the "movable end," and positioned above Figure 3. At the opposing ends 3.2, 4.2, called the stop ends, each shoe is supported on the back plate 2 by an anchor element integrated with the back plate, thus forming a stopper for the shoe. The anchor element transmits at least a portion of the braking torque between the shoe and the back plate. The anchor elements for both shoes are formed by the actuator 10.

[0037] The actuator 10 is perpendicular to the axis X of the back plate and extends along an axis Y parallel to the back plate. It includes a casing 12 attached to the side of the first face of the back plate 2. The casing includes a housing formed by through bores 13 that extend along axis Y and open at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the casing 12. The drive assembly is housed within the bores 13.

[0038] The drive assembly is of the screw-nut type, for example, as described in International Publication No. 2015 / 101486. ​​It includes two support elements 16, 20 for forming respective fixing points for the ends 3.2, 4.2 of the brake shoes 3 and 4 during normal braking, and for applying force to the ends 3.2, 4.2 by moving outward along axis Y of the casing during parking braking.

[0039] The drum brake also includes a drive device 22 for the actuator, which is mounted on the other side of the back plate, i.e., the side opposite to the side on which the actuator 10 is mounted.

[0040] The drive device is an electric motor, which may or may not be associated with a motor reducer.

[0041] A passage (not shown) is provided through the back plate 2, which allows for the transmission of driving force from the drive device to the drive assembly of the actuator 10.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of a drum brake actuator 10 according to the present invention. It includes a first threaded element 16 and a second element 18 having an internal thread that receives the first threaded element 16, the first and second elements interacting with each other to form a screw-nut system. This screw-nut system produces linear motion under the effect of rotation of the second element 18 relative to the first element 16. This converts the torque received by the second element 18 into two opposite axial forces on elements 16 and 18, respectively.

[0043] The first element 16 forms a piston that presses against the brake shoe 3, and the second piston 20 is interposed between the brake shoe 4 and the second element 18. The second element 18 is rotationally driven by a toothed wheel 24 which is rotated by a drive device. In the illustrated example, the first element 16 is mounted within the toothed wheel 24 and fixed to it so as to be rotatable relative to it using splines.

[0044] In this embodiment, the thread angle of the screw-nut system is selected such that the transmission of the acquired force cannot be reversed by selecting a thread angle smaller than the friction angle of the pair of materials used to create these two elements.

[0045] The choice of this screw-nut system, combined with the selection of its thread angle, creates irreversibility, which provides a locking function in the parking brake position. In other words, the force received by the pistons 16 and 20 from the shoes 3 and 4 is blocked by the anti-slip between the threads of both elements of the screw-nut system. Therefore, it is not transmitted to the motor system, eliminating the need to block the motor or keep it under load.

[0046] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 4, the actuator 10 also includes an elastically deformable element along the axis of movement of the actuation, a so-called elastic element or spring pack, which provides a function of forced stabilization within the bearing chain. In this exemplary embodiment, this elastic element is made by one of the two pistons, in this case the second piston 20. Depending on the force transmitted in the direction of movement of the spreader, this elastic element has a determined spring constant that provides a stroke that allows for the maintenance or recovery of sufficient support of the shoe against the drum under different environmental or changing conditions.

[0047] Instead, a spring pack is placed between the second piston 20 and the second element 18.

[0048] Therefore, this elastic element is particularly suited to either maintaining the device in a second braking position by compression within the actuation assembly in response to the operation of the actuator while the device is in a first braking position, or accumulating enough mechanical energy to bring it there without requiring the actuator to be re-actuated if the support of the wheel cylinder 6 is interrupted after the operation of the actuator 10.

[0049] This type of situation occurs, for example, when the driver stops the vehicle, uses the service brake to maintain its stillness, and then engages the parking brake before releasing control of the service brake, such as when stopping and parking on an incline. This elastic reserve compensates for the stroke required to move from one braking position to the other, for example, from simplex to duo-servo mode, while providing sufficient load to meet the need to bring the vehicle to a standstill.

[0050] Furthermore, the stroke of this elastic element occurs without the operation of the actuator 10 during variations in the dimensions of drum brake elements 3 and 4: In the case of dimensional variations in one direction, for example, in the case of thermal contraction of the shoe, or the chain of mechanical elements that create this support such as the piston or the mechanism that pushes them apart, or in the case of thermal expansion of the drum, for example, maintaining the support force of shoes 3 and 4 against the friction track, In the other direction, for example, when the service brake is heated during travel and then comes to a standstill, it is possible to limit the increase in force within the mechanism in the event of dimensional fluctuations that may occur due to the cooling and thermal contraction of the drum.

[0051] The elastic element thus limits the need for automatic re-engaging, also known as "retightening," which can be energy-intensive and prone to malfunctions during parking, potentially leading to serious consequences, and in most cases, makes it possible to avoid it.

[0052] In embodiments where the movement of the actuator is achieved by an irreversible mechanism, the elastic element is positioned downstream of the irreversible mechanism.

[0053] In the example shown in Figure 4, the elastic element is provided by a second piston 20 which contains a piston head 202 having a rearward-facing skirt in which the piston base 203 slides. The piston head 202 and the piston base 203 press against each other via a compressible elastic structure 201, in this case a stack of conical steel washers conveniently known as “disc spring” washers that have been pre-stressed. This assembly is held together by crimping the ends of the skirt around the rear of the piston base 203.

[0054] According to the present invention, the drum brake includes means 26 that form a stopper for at least one of the movable elements of the actuator 10 during the parking brake release phase.

[0055] The movable element has a release position Pr, and in the brake release phase, beyond this position ensures that the parking brake has been released. Means 26 are positioned in the actuator at a position Pb beyond the release position Pr during the release phase.

[0056] The term "movable element of an actuator" refers to the element of an actuator that moves when the parking brake is applied and released.

[0057] In the first example, the stopper means is positioned between the spring pack and the body of the actuator 10.

[0058] When the actuator is actuated and the parking brake is released, the second element 18 slides toward the first piston 16 along the actuator axis Y, causing the second piston 20 to move in direction S2 under the movement of the shoe 4, which is returned inward by the return spring 8. Furthermore, the spring pack releases, causing the piston bottom 203 of the piston 20 to move in direction S2. The actuator is now in a state where the brake is released, and the bottom 203 of the second piston 20 is in position Pr. The bottom 203 continues to move, pressing against the axial stopper, and reaches a resting position Pb. The position Pb of the stopper 26 is set such that the bottom 203 presses against it when the spring pack is fully released. In the illustrated example, the stopper 26 is a shoulder formed within the bore 13 of the actuator casing 12. The end of the second element 18 for contacting the second piston 20 slides within the small diameter portion of the bore 13.

[0059] Nevertheless, the position Pb of the bottom 203 remains the same in each instance of the parking brake release. This position is known within the manufacturing clearance.

[0060] As a result, at the start of each operation of the parking brake, the position of the second piston 20 is known within the manufacturing clearance. This position can be estimated with relatively accurate accuracy by counting the number of rotations of the second element 18 during the operation of the actuator 10, which is known from the number of rotations of the motor and the reduction ratio between the motor and the second element 18. The uncertainty in estimation due to uncertainty in the position of one of the actuator elements in the idle state is eliminated. Position Pb is downstream of position Pr in the direction of movement of the movable element during the brake release phase.

[0061] In another exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5, the actuator 110 includes a stopper means formed by teeth 126 on the threads of a first piston 16, where a longitudinal end 18.1 of a second element 18 facing the side of the first piston 16 presses against it when the actuator is in the released position. In Figure 5, the teeth 126 are schematically represented.

[0062] Next, the operation of the brake according to the present invention will be described with reference to the example in Figure 5 and Figure 2, which shows a schematic representation of the movement D of the second element 18.

[0063] The position shown in Figure 2 is the position of the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element 18 when it is in contact with the tooth 126.

[0064] Consider the case when the parking brake is applied (Figure 5). The first element is in position Ps. Pistons 16 and 20 are moved away from each other, and the brake shoes are pressed against the drum. When the parking brake is applied, the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element 18 is in position Pf.

[0065] When the driver decides to release the parking brake, the driver controls the operation of actuator 10, for example by pressing a button, and the second element 18 is rotated via an electric motor and a toothed wheel so that pistons 16, 20 slide toward each other. The first piston 16, in particular its threaded rod, slides within the second element 18, and the piston head 16.1 approaches the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element. The second element 18 rotates until it is considered sufficient for pistons 16, 20 to have completed their stroke toward each other and to ensure the release of the parking brake, at which point the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element 18 has position Pr. The second element 18 is then rotated until the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element presses against the teeth 126, and the position of the longitudinal end 18.1 of the second element 18 is Pb. Next, the control unit UC measures the increase in the current across the motor terminals and controls the power supply to the motor to stop it. The actuator is then stopped.

[0066] The position of tooth 126 is conveniently selected so that contact occurs between the tooth and the second element 18 immediately after the release stroke is completed, resulting in a very compact brake.

[0067] Therefore, when designing the brake, and especially the actuator, the axial dimensions of the actuator are selected so that the second element 18 can move the distance between Pr and Pb. Since the position Pb is known within the manufacturing clearance, the length of the actuator can be optimized and there is no need to provide an additional margin to account for uncertainty in the position of the second element in the release position. The distance between Pb and Pr is at least equal to the manufacturing clearance. In Figure 2, this distance is slightly greater than the clearance j.

[0068] Figure 1 shows the movement of the second element 18 in a conventional actuator. The resting position taken by the second element is at the estimated position Pe, estimated with an error margin e. This error margin e and the manufacturing clearance j for the stopper position Pb' are taken into account when sizing the actuator. Considering the type of actuator shown in Figure 5, the length of the conventional actuator is at least 2e longer than the actuator according to the present invention in Figure 5.

[0069] This invention makes it possible to achieve a reduction of 2 mm in the length of the actuator.

[0070] Furthermore, by optimizing the stroke of the first element, that is, by shortening it, the first element will have a shorter travel distance, thus allowing the parking brake to be applied more quickly between subsequent parking brake activations.

[0071] In another exemplary embodiment, a stopper that is pressed by the second element 18 in the stopping position is provided on the body of the actuator.

[0072] Furthermore, this invention is also applicable to electromechanical disc brakes.

[0073] The present invention is applicable to floating caliper type disc brakes and fixed caliper type disc brakes.

[0074] In the described example, the movable element(s) of the actuator move along an axis and, possibly, rotate around that axis. In another example, the actuator has at least one component, such as a cam-type component, that is only capable of rotational movement, and the stopper forms an angular stopper. The stopper means interrupts only the rotational motion.

[0075] In the example shown in Figure 4, the stopper means forms an axial stopper for the spring pack. In the example shown in Figure 5, the stopper means forms a rotation stopper, interrupting translation. Alternatively, the stopper means forms an axial stopper for a rotatable and translationally movable element.

[0076] Next, we will describe an example method for creating the brake shown in Figure 5.

[0077] First, the minimum movement of one or more of the actuator's movable elements is determined to ensure that the brake is released. From this minimum movement, the position that one or more of the movable elements must reach during the release phase for the brake to be released is determined. This position is position Pr in Figure 2.

[0078] Next, the stopper position Pb is determined with respect to position Pr, taking into account the manufacturing clearance j. The minimum distance between Pb and Pr is at least equal to j.

[0079] The stopper mechanism is constructed on the body of the actuator or on another part of the actuator so that the movable part contacts the stopper at position Pb, i.e., Pr+j. Various parts of the actuator, in particular the casing which has greater compactness, are adapted to this movement.

[0080] In the case of a movable element that only has rotational movement, the movement is angular.

[0081] The present invention is applicable to all electromechanical brakes that are partially or fully electrically actuated. It is applicable to brakes in which the parking and / or service brakes are achieved by electrical actuation. In the case of an electromechanical brake in which the service brake is provided by an electric actuator, contact between at least one movable element of the actuator and the stopper means occurs with each complete release of the service brake. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Drum brake 2 Backplates 3. The first shoe 4. The second shoe 3a, 4a Web 3b, 4b Brake linings 6. Hydraulic Wheel Cylinder 7. Wear adjustment connecting rod 8, 9 Return spring 10 Mechanical Actuators 12 Actuator Casing 13 Actuator Bore 16 First element / first piston 16.1 Head of the second piston 18. Second element 18.1 Ends of the second element in the longitudinal direction 20 Second piston 22 Electric motor 24-tooth wheel 26 / 126 Stopper method 201 Spring Pack 202 Second piston head 203 Top of the second piston X and Y axes e Error margin j Manufacturing clearance Pb, Pb' Stop position Pe Estimated location Pf Braking position Pr release position UC Control Unit

Claims

1. An electromechanical brake comprising: at least one friction member (3, 4) for contacting a friction portion rotatable integrally with a wheel; at least one actuator (10, 110) configured to press the friction member (3, 4) against the friction portion; and an electric motor (22) configured to actuate the actuator (10, 110), wherein the actuator (10, 110) includes at least one movable element (18, 203) that responds to the actuation of the actuator (10, 110), and the movable element (18, 203) is movable between a braking position (Pf) in which the friction member (3, 4) is in contact with the friction portion and a position (Pb) beyond a release position (Pr) in which the friction member is no longer in contact with the friction portion. The actuators (10, 110) include a stopper means (126) disposed only within the actuators (10, 110), which is positioned to press against the stopper means (126) when the movable elements (18, 203) move beyond the release position (Pr), and in the brake release phase, the electric motor is controlled to operate the actuator until the movable element (18) presses against the stopper means (126). The brake is a drum brake including a drum, a back plate (2), and two brake shoes (3, 4), and the actuators (10, 110) are attached to the back plate (2). The actuator includes a screw-nut assembly and two pistons, each for pressing the brake shoe. An electromechanical brake, characterized in that the nut forms the movable element (18), the screw comprises a rod having a head and a screw pitch, the head forms a piston that presses against one of the brake shoes, and the stopper means includes teeth (126) protruding from the threads and arranged to contact the nut when the nut is in a position beyond the release position.

2. The electromechanical brake according to claim 1, comprising a control unit (UC) including means for controlling the power supply to the electric motor (22) and means for measuring the power consumption of the electric motor (22), wherein the control means is configured to stop the power supply to the electric motor (22) when the power consumption exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The electromechanical brake according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuators (10, 110) are configured to apply at least a parking brake, and the brake includes a second actuator (6) for applying a service brake.

4. A method for manufacturing an electromechanical brake according to any one of claims 1 to 3, (a) Determine the position of at least one movable element (18, 203) such that, beyond which the brake is released, (b) Determining the position of the stopper means (26, 126) with respect to the release position (Pr) such that the stopper means (26, 126) are spaced apart from the release position (Pr) using at least one manufacturing clearance (j) associated with the method, (c) Creating the stopper means (26, 126) within the actuator at the position determined in step (b), (d) Assembling the actuator and the friction member, A method that includes this.

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