Brake blocker and brake comprising such a blocker
The brake lock system with a pinion-type part and actuator ensures stable locking and unlocking positions, addressing safety and reliability issues in brake locking mechanisms, and integrates efficiently into vehicle production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/059940
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-02
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing brake locking mechanisms in vehicles face issues with unintentional engagement during operation, failure to engage when activated, unintended release, and undetectable malfunctions, leading to safety concerns and operational unreliability.
A brake lock system with a pinion-type part and an actuator that uses a blocker with radial and tangential guidance, ensuring stable locking and unlocking positions without electrical power, and includes a magnet for position detection to ensure reliable operation.
Provides high operational reliability with secure locking and unlocking, detects the locking device's state reliably, and integrates easily into production lines without increasing unsprung mass or cost.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025059940_05022026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION TITLE: BRAKE LOCK AND BRAKE CONTAINING SUCH A LOCK TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a brake locking device and a brake comprising such a locking device. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
[0002] For example, EP 3986758 describes the design of an electric disc brake for a motor vehicle incorporating a locking mechanism to ensure mechanical retention of the parking brake without electrical power to the motor. However, known locking mechanisms offer insufficient safety because there is a risk of the locking mechanism engaging unintentionally during vehicle operation and / or the service brake, for example, in the event of shocks or vibrations. Furthermore, there is a risk that the locking mechanism may not engage when activated and a risk of unintended release of the locking mechanism, for example, in the presence of vibrations. In addition, a malfunction of the locking mechanism, and consequently of the parking brake, is not immediately detectable.
[0003] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a locking device with high operational reliability, particularly when activated, with secure and systematic locking only when activated and not unactivated; locking at a set value for the parking brake clamping force; the absence of any unintended unlocking; and / or reliable detection of the current state of the locking device and the brake. Advantageously, these objectives are achieved without increasing the vehicle's unsprung mass and at a reasonable cost. It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a pre-assembled locking device that can be easily integrated into a brake on a production line. These objectives are achieved by a locking device according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art. In this regard, the invention relates to a brake lock comprising a pinion-type part intended to be rotationally fixed to the rotor of an electric brake motor, typically of a type operating as a service brake, and an actuator capable of moving a coupling part between a locked position in which the pinion is locked in rotation by the coupling part and a free position in which the coupling part does not prevent the rotation of the pinion.
[0005] According to the invention, the blocker includes means for guiding the coupling piece along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangential component with respect to the pinion, and in that the blocker includes a part which is movable radially with respect to the pinion, and carries means for guiding the coupling piece along a translation tangential to the pinion, in particular along a rectilinear translation.
[0006] Thanks to the kinematics and structure of the blocker, any unwanted blocking and release of a brake equipped with a blocker according to the invention is avoided, even under extreme conditions of shocks, stresses and / or vibrations.
[0007] According to another embodiment, a locking device according to the invention is characterized in that the actuator is a linear actuator, performing, on command, the tangential translation of a spool equipped with tracks having only a tangential component and inclined ramps with a radial component and a complementary tangential component of ramps of a radial guide chamber of the coupling part, said tangential translation of a spool extending between said free and locked positions. According to another embodiment, the locking device according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber is provided with walls whose radially internal faces carry sliding pads on the spool tracks.According to another embodiment, the blocker according to the invention is characterized in that the coupling piece is immobilized radially, in the blocked position, by tangential engagement of a protruding part, in particular a bolt, carried by said coupling piece and penetrating tangentially into an opening of a fixed element, in particular a radial locking strike plate, or by tangential engagement. of a protruding part supported by a fixed element in an opening supported by said coupling piece.
[0008] According to one particular embodiment, the blocker according to the invention is characterized in that the pinion confirms, by the force it exerts on the coupling piece in the blocked position, the tangential penetration of the bolt into an opening of a radial locking strike plate or vice versa.
[0009] According to another embodiment, the blocker according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a housing making the blocker self-supporting.
[0010] According to one embodiment, the blocker according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber has a recess receiving the coupling piece and a tangential spring, or other elastic element, allowing the pinion to rotate in the direction corresponding to the increase in braking force, when it is in the blocked position, the tangential spring and the coupling piece then forming a ratchet with the pinion.
[0011] According to another embodiment, the blocker according to the invention is characterized in that the coupling piece has a tangential toothing provided with 3 teeth opposite a peripheral toothing of the pinion.
[0012] The invention also relates to the blocker according to the invention which is characterized in that at least one outer tooth of the tangential teeth has an outwardly cut flank.
[0013] The invention also relates to the blocker according to the invention which is characterized in that it comprises a magnet attached to a movable part which, by detecting the position of the magnet, determines the radial position of the coupling part.
[0014] The invention also relates to a blocker characterized in that, in the free position, the chamber pads rest on branches of the drawer, in a stable position, with the stop plan against plan.
[0015] The invention also relates to a brake comprising an electric motor characterized in that it includes a blocker according to the invention.
[0016] The invention also relates to a brake according to the invention which is characterized in that it comprises a magnet position detector carried by a movable part of the blocker according to the invention.
[0017] The invention also relates to a brake according to the invention which is characterized in that said brake is a disc brake.
[0018] The invention also relates to a brake according to the invention which is characterized in that said brake is a floating caliper disc brake.
[0019] The invention also relates to a brake according to the invention comprising a blocker according to the invention which is characterized in that it comprises a caliper and in that, in the blocked position, the elasticity of the caliper exerts on the pinion a torque in the direction corresponding to the reduction of the braking force and thus confirms the tangential penetration of the bolt into an opening of a radial locking strike plate or vice versa.
[0020] The invention also relates to a brake according to the invention comprising a blocker according to the invention which is characterized in that it comprises an electronic control board for the brake and in that the electronic board is equipped with a position detector for the magnet.
[0021] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a brake according to the invention characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. assembly of a brake according to the invention, b. connection of a controller to the brake to the vehicle's braking system, c. motor rotation in the direction of increasing braking by one elementary step; d. activation of the actuator until it stabilizes; e. measurement of the position of the magnet and determination of the relative position of the coupling piece and the pinion; f. sequential repetition of steps b to e; g. determination of a zone of relative positions of the coupling piece and the pinion without mutual contact, called the no-contact zone; h. memorization of the zone determined in step g.
[0022] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a brake according to the invention characterized in that it includes a step of alerting the braking system in the case where, in the free position of the blocker, a relative position of the pinion coupling piece is detected outside the area memorized in step h, indicating in particular an abnormal shape of one of the teeth of the pinion.
[0023] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a brake according to the invention, characterized in that, when the locking mechanism is commanded to be positioned in the free position, or when it is detected that it should be in the free position, particularly during a service braking command, said method comprises the following steps: a. measuring the position of the magnet and determining the relative position of the coupling piece and the pinion; b. comparing said relative position with a non-contact zone determined by a method according to the invention; c. alerting the braking system if the coupling piece is outside said non-contact zone, particularly if there is a risk of engaging the pinion teeth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the description of non-limiting examples of embodiment, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate: - [Fig.1]: an isometric view of a parking brake locker according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2]: an exploded view of the locker of figure 1; - [Fig. 3]: a top view of the blocker of Figure 1 in a free position; - [Fig. 4]: a cross-sectional view along BB of the blocker of Figure 3; - [Fig. 4a]: a larger-scale view of detail 4a of Figure 4; - [Fig. 4b]: a larger-scale view of detail 4b of Figure 4; - [Fig. 5]: a top view of the blocker of Figure 1 in a locked position; - [Fig. 6]: a cross-sectional view along CC of the blocker of Figure 5; - [Fig. 6a]: a larger-scale view of detail 6a of Figure 6; - [Fig. 6b]: a larger-scale view of detail 6b of Figure 6; - [Fig. 7]: a top view of the blocker of Figure 1 in a brake tightening position; - [Fig. 8]: a cross-sectional view along DD of the blocker of Figure 7; - [Fig. 8a]: a larger scale view of detail 8a of figure 8; - [Fig. 9]: a rear view of the geared motor without its housing, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.[Fig. 10]: an isometric view of the brake gearmotor of Figure 9; - [Fig. 11]: an isometric view of the brake gearmotor of Figure 9 seen from another angle; - [Fig. 12]: an isometric view of the brake gearmotor of Figure 9, fitted with its housing, cover removed; - [Fig. 13]: an isometric view of the brake gearmotor of Figure 9, cover removed, seen from another angle; - [Fig. 14]: A rear view of the brake without the cover of a geared motor, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 15]: An isometric view of the brake of Figure 14; - [Fig. 16]: An isometric view of the brake of Figure 14 seen from another angle; - [Fig. 17]: A curve illustrating the calibration of the locking mechanism according to the invention; - [Fig. 18]: A curve illustrating an integrity test of the locking mechanism according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT
[0025] For clarity, identical elements are identified by identical reference symbols from one figure to another.
[0026] In this patent, a parking brake is defined as a brake designed to hold a motor vehicle, such as a car, stationary. Advantageously, brakes typically mounted on at least the rear axle wheels of a vehicle, or on both the front and rear axle wheels, provide service braking by slowing the vehicle on command and ensuring both stopping and parking braking. Advantageously, the brake according to the invention is a disc brake with a floating caliper.
[0027] In this patent, the term "locker" refers to a bistable mechanism capable, upon command, of adopting a first locked position, in which the locker prevents the recoil of the brake lining, or of a brake pad in the case of a disc brake, and ensures that this brake pad is applied against a friction surface, of a brake drum or, advantageously, of a brake disc with a predetermined force, typically sufficient to hold a vehicle stationary; and a second free position, in which the locker has no influence on the relative position of the brake lining, typically the brake pad and the brake disc. The locker according to the invention includes an actuator, advantageously electric, that provides the transition between the locked and free positions. However, maintaining the vehicle in the locked and unlocked positions, or at least in the locked position, does not require electrical power to the locking actuator or the electric brake motor. The locked position is inherently mechanically stable and does not require electrical power to hold the vehicle stationary. The unlocked position is also inherently mechanically stable against shocks or vibrations and does not interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle or the service brake.
[0028] In the case of a disc brake, it should be noted that the pads and disc expand as the temperature rises, primarily due to the conversion of the vehicle's kinetic energy into thermal energy within the brakes. This thermal contraction, during subsequent cooling, causes a decrease in clamping force, even when the locking mechanism is engaged in the locked position.
[0029] The preferred embodiment of a locking device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, comprises a part, typically a pinion 3, rotationally connected to a rotational axis A of a rotor of a motor 4 of an electric brake 10 according to the invention. The pinion 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with radially peripheral teeth 5. Thus, the rotational immobilization of the pinion 3 ensures the translational immobilization of a friction lining, disc brake pads or drum brake shoes, and prevents the recoil of this lining relative to a friction track of a brake disc or drum, respectively. Advantageously, the pinion 3 is positioned near the rotational axis A of the motor rotor to benefit from increased torque from a speed reducer. In the advantageous example illustrated, the pinion 3 is mounted on the shaft A of the motor 4.
[0030] A radial and tangential direction are defined with respect to pinion 3. The radial direction passes through the axis of rotation of pinion 3. The tangential direction is orthogonal to the radial direction and passes through the peripheral teeth 5 of pinion 3.
[0031] The blocker 1 further comprises an actuator 7, advantageously a bistable solenoid, a spool 9, a housing 11, an assembly cover 13, a chamber 15, a coupling piece 17, a radial spring 19, a tangential spring 21, a radial locking strike plate 23 with an opening 24. The actuator 7 includes a movable plunger 25 coupled in push and pull with the slide 9 by a pin 27 received in an opening (not shown) of a base 29 of the slide 9 which, viewed in the radial direction, has a U-shape in this example. In this example, there are thus two arms 31 of the slide 9 which are arranged on either side of the pinion 3 and each arm 31 has at least one ramp 33 on its radially external face. In this example, the slide has two ramps 33 on each arm; one substantially in the middle, the other at the tangential end opposite to that receiving the support of the tangential spring 21.
[0032] The chamber 15 comprises one or more longitudinal walls 35, two in this example, arranged opposite the arms 31 of the slide 9, and which are fitted with ramps 37 complementary to the ramps 33 carried by the arms 31 of the slide 9. Each ramp is extended by a sliding pad 45 on the arms 31 of the slide 9. In other words, the radially external faces of the arms 31 of the slide 9 form sliding tracks for the pads 45 of the chamber 15. The pads 45 of the walls 35 have sufficient radial extension to prevent any interference between the pinion 3 and the coupling piece 17 when they are in contact with the tracks of the arms 31 of the slide 9. Apart from the ramps 33, these tracks prevent any approach of the chamber 15, and consequently of the coupling piece 17, to the pinion 3.Thus, in the illustrated non-limiting example, chamber 15 has raised elements (pads 45) while drawer 9 has recesses for receiving said raised elements. Alternatively, it is drawer 9 that has the pads 45.
[0033] A transverse wall 39 secures the longitudinal walls 35 of the chamber 15 on the side of the actuator 7. A bottom 41 of the chamber 15 unites the longitudinal walls 35 and the transverse wall 39, together defining a recess 43 for receiving the coupling piece 17 and the tangential spring 21.
[0034] The recess 43 provides tangential translational guidance for the coupling piece 17 and advantageously prevents its tilting. The coupling piece 17 is therefore held radially in the chamber 15 and cannot approaching pinion 3 only by following the movement of chamber 15. The tangential spring 21 is disposed between the transverse wall 39 of chamber 15 and the coupling piece 17. The coupling piece 17 has a projection, typically a tangential tooth 47, directed towards pinion 3 and complementary to the peripheral tooth 5. In the preferred example illustrated, the tangential tooth 47 has three teeth 47.1, 47.2, and 47.3. In normal operation, one or more teeth, here two teeth, mesh with the teeth of the peripheral tooth 5 in the locked position. Advantageously, the central tooth 47.2 has a shorter length than the other two teeth, reducing the risk of interference between teeth in an intermediate position, during locking or unlocking. Advantageously, the tooth 47.3 opposite the wall 39 has a cut side facilitating the translation of the coupling piece 17 when the blocker 1 is applied, without affecting the transmission of forces between the teeth in the blocked position. The coupling piece 17 advantageously includes a bolt 49 at one tangential end, opposite to the end receiving the support of the tangential spring 21, with a shape complementary to that of the opening 24 of the strike plate 23 inserted in the housing 11. Alternatively, a receiving opening for the bolt 49 is directly made in the housing 11. The bolt 49 preferably has a slight recess to facilitate its removal from the strike plate 23. Also alternatively, it is envisaged to make a projecting shape on a fixed plate or the housing 11, which engages in an opening of the coupling piece, or any other shapes cooperating with each other to prevent radial movement of the coupling piece.The assembly cover 13 and the actuator 7 are advantageously secured to the housing 11, for example, by screws. The radial spring 19 is compressed between the assembly cover 13 and the bottom 41 of the chamber 15. The slide 9 is arranged in the housing between the chamber 15 and the pinion 3. Alternatively, the chamber 15 and the coupling piece 17 are joined to form a single, monobloc piece; this monobloc piece is, for example, guided by a cooperation of shapes with its surroundings to ensure that the coupling teeth and the bolt have the same type of movement.
[0035] In Figures 3 and 4, the stopper 1 is shown in the free position. The slides 45 of chamber 15 rest on the arms 31 of drawer 9 (see Figure 4a) in a stable, planar-to-planar position. The ramps 33 of drawer 9 are not in vis-à-vis the complementary ramps 37 of chamber 15. A weak holding force on the drawer 9 in the tangential direction prevents any tangential movement of the drawer 9, which in turn prevents any radial movement of chamber 15 and consequently of the coupling piece 17. As illustrated in Figure 4b, there is no contact between the teeth of the tangential teeth 47 of the coupling piece 17 and the teeth of the peripheral teeth 5 of the pinion 3. Furthermore, the bolt 49 of the coupling piece 17 is radially offset relative to the opening 24 of the strike plate 23. The tooth 47.2 is located opposite the peripheral teeth 5 of the pinion 3. The force opposing unwanted movements of the drawer 9 is mainly generated by the actuator 7. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator 7 is a bistable solenoid.However, the implementation of other types of actuators, such as a monostable solenoid, or a rotary electric motor coupled with a screw-nut mechanism to convert the motor's rotational motion into the translational motion of the spool 9, or linear electric motors, does not fall outside the scope of the present invention. The holding force of the spool 9 in its free position is, for example, between 0.1 N and 500 N, preferably between 1 N and 50 N, and even more preferably between 10 N and 30 N. For example, a force of 20 N prevents any unintended locking of the stop 1 in the presence of an acceleration of up to 100 g. In figures 5 and 6 the blocker 1 is illustrated in the blocked position, the actuator 7 having moved the drawer 9 tangentially to the left of the figures over a stroke for example between 2mm and 20mm, preferably between 4mm and 10mm, even more preferably between 3mm and 6mm, for example 3mm, 4mm or 5mm.For ramps 33 and / or 37 with a 45° slope, it is advantageous to use a 4 mm stroke. When the geared motor M exerts a desired braking torque, typically the torque required to hold the vehicle stationary, the actuator 7 is activated. The rotation of the motor 4 in the direction of increased braking is counterclockwise, as illustrated in Figure 13 by arrow 51. The application of the linings to the two opposite faces of the disc causes elastic deformation of the caliper C. The translation of the spool 9 allows the ramps 37 of chamber 15 to slide on the ramps 33 of the spool 9, permitting a movement with a radial component, in the direction of the peripheral teeth 5 of the pinion 3, of the spool 15 and therefore of the coupling piece 17, up to. The teeth of the gear 47 of the coupling piece 17 mesh with the teeth of the peripheral gear 5 of the pinion 3. Similarly, the radial movement positions the bolt 49 opposite the opening 24 of the strike plate 23. The radial movement of the chamber 15 is confirmed by the radial spring 19. Once engaged, the power supply to the motor 4 is stopped, and the elasticity of the caliper C causes or confirms the radial locking of the bolt 49 and the strike plate 23. In other words, the elasticity of the caliper transmits a rotational torque to the pinion 3, preventing the bolt 49 from leaving the opening 24 of the strike plate 23. In turn, the bolt 49 prevents the disengagement of the teeth of the tangential gear 47 of the coupling piece 17 and the peripheral gear 5 of the pinion 3.
[0036] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, it should be noted that the momentary unlocking of the locking mechanism 1 during tightening, by reactivating the motor in the tightening direction while the brake is already engaged and locked, does not present a risk of brake release because it only allows for an increase in the brake's clamping force and because the motor 4 is active during tightening. During the tightening operation, the spool 9 and the chamber 15 do not move and are in the same position as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Only the coupling piece 17 is pushed against the spring 21 with each passage of a tooth of the pinion 3, and it returns to engage with the pinion 3 in the locking position with its bolt 49 in the opening 24 of the strike plate 23, as soon as the motor and the pinion 3 stop their tightening movement.
[0037] Figures 12 to 13 show a geared motor M comprising a locking device 1 according to the invention. The geared motor M has an output shaft parallel to the shaft A of the motor 4. As can be seen in the figures, the locking device 1 is located near the position of a cover, not shown, of the geared motor M. Thus, the spool 9 is close to the housing of the geared motor M.
[0038] In one embodiment, a moving element of the blocker 1, such as the slide 9 (tangential movement) or, advantageously, the chamber 15 or the coupling piece 17 (radial movement), is fitted with a permanent magnet. A magnetic position detector for the magnet is placed nearby, advantageously on an electronic board or printed circuit board, for example, the one providing the control and / or monitoring of the motor 4. The electronic board is advantageously located on a face of the cover opposite to the face facing the pinion 3. The detector allows us to check the free or blocked state of blocker 1 as well as the transition between these two states.
[0039] Figures 14 to 16 show a floating caliper brake 10 according to the present invention comprising a caliper C, a geared motor M which integrates the motor 4 and which is equipped with a blocker 1, the whole being mounted sliding relative to a clevis 53.
[0040] The output shaft of the geared motor M drives in rotation a ball screw fitted at one of its ends with a push piece on a brake pad.
[0041] Figures 17 and 18 show measurements taken on a brake 10 comprising a chamber 15 equipped with a magnet allowing its radial position to be detected.
[0042] Figure 17 illustrates the calibration of a brake 10. The x-axis represents the rotation steps of the pinion 3, and the y-axis represents the radial position of the chamber 15. The radial position is expressed as a percentage, with 0 percent corresponding to a completely free position and 100% to a completely blocked position, over a stroke of, for example, 4 mm.
[0043] We rotate the motor 4 in the direction of increasing braking with the smallest possible angular increments, corresponding to the elementary step.
[0044] For each elementary step, actuator 7 is activated and a few microseconds are allowed for it to reach its final equilibrium position. A microcontroller for the brake acquires the position of the magnet, and therefore of the teeth 47, for each angular increment.
[0045] Actuator 7 is deactivated and a few microseconds are waited. These steps are repeated until contact is achieved between the teeth of the tangential gear 47 and the teeth of the peripheral gear 5. The values are recorded to determine a zone where there is meshing, from 100% to 72% in the example of Figure 17, and a lower zone, or non-contact zone, where meshing is guaranteed to prevent the brake from locking. The calibration result is stored in a memory of the brake controller and / or in that of a computer ensuring the supervision of the vehicle's braking system.
[0046] Figure 18 shows a process for detecting broken teeth on pinion 3.
[0047] A rotation is performed in the direction of increasing the braking value, using the smallest available steps, over at least one complete revolution. At each step, actuator 7 is activated, and a few microseconds are allowed for it to reach its final equilibrium position. The microcontroller acquires the position for each angular increment.
[0048] Actuator 7 is deactivated and a few microseconds are waited.
[0049] In the case of a 3-pinion in good condition, the curve is regular and approximately sinusoidal. An irregularity 55 in the curve, which descends less far down the curve than the others, indicates the presence of a broken or damaged tooth.
[0050] Depending on the constraints supported, the various parts of the blocker 1 according to the present invention are made of metal or of plastic material such as POM.
[0051] Thanks to a blocker 1 with two mechanically stable positions, a high level of operational safety is offered, particularly on command, a secure and systematic locking; a locking at a set value of the parking brake clamping force; the absence of any untimely locking, untimely unlocking and / or a reliable detection of the current state of the blocker and the brake.
[0052] Of course, various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art to the invention just described without going out of scope of the disclosure of the invention.
[0053] Alternatively, the brake according to the invention is a fixed caliper disc brake or a drum brake.
[0054] A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises two or four brakes according to the invention. For electric vehicles, the brakes according to the invention cooperate with the energy recovery device during braking. LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES
[0055] 1 brake blocker 3 pinion 4 motor 5 radially peripheral gearing 7 actuator 9 spool 10 electric brake 11 housing 13 assembly cover 15 chamber 17 coupling piece - rack 19 radial spring 21 tangential spring 23 radial locking strike plate 24 strike plate opening 25 solenoid plunger 27 pin 29 spool base 31 spool arms 33 spool ramps 35 chamber walls 37 chamber ramps 39 transverse wall 41 chamber bottom 43 chamber recess 45 Chamber sliding pad 47 Tangential teeth 47.1 47.2 47.3 Coupling teeth 49 Coupling bolt 51 Pinion rotation arrow in the tightening direction 53 Clevis 55 Irregularity A Rotation axis C Stirrup M Gearmotor
Claims
CLAIMS 1. A brake lock (1) comprising: a pinion-type part (3) intended to be rotationally fixed to the rotor of an electric brake motor (4), typically of a type operating as a service brake, an actuator (7) capable of moving a coupling part (17) between a locked position in which the pinion (3) is rotationally locked by the coupling part (17) and a free position in which the coupling part (17) does not prevent the rotation of the pinion (3), characterized in that the lock (1) comprises means for guiding the coupling part (17) along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangential component with respect to the pinion (3), and in that the lock comprises a part (15) which is radially movable with respect to the pinion, and carries means for guiding the coupling part (17) along a translation tangential to the pinion, in particular along a rectilinear translation. 2.A locking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (7) is a linear actuator, performing, on command, the tangential translation of a spool (9) provided with tracks having only a tangential component and ramps (33) inclined with a radial component and a complementary tangential component of ramps (37) of a radial guide chamber (15) of the coupling piece (17), said tangential translation of a spool (9) extending between said free and locked positions.
3. A locking device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the chamber (15) is provided with walls (35) whose radially internal faces have sliding pads (45) for sliding on the tracks of the spool (9).
4. A locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling piece (17) is immobilized. radially, in the locked position, by tangential engagement of a projecting part, in particular a bolt (49), carried by said coupling piece (17) and penetrating tangentially into an opening (24) of a fixed element (11), in particular a radial locking strike plate (23), or by tangential engagement of a projecting part carried by a fixed element into an opening carried by said coupling piece.
5. Locking device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the pinion (3) confirms, by the force it exerts on the coupling piece (17) in the locked position, the tangential penetration of the bolt (49) into an opening (24) of a radial locking strike plate (23) or vice versa.
6. A blocker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the blocker (1) comprises a housing (11) rendering the blocker (1) self-supporting. 7.Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the chamber (15) has a recess (43) receiving the coupling piece (17) and a tangential spring (21), or other elastic element, allowing the pinion (3) to rotate in the direction corresponding to the increase in braking force when it is in the locked position, the tangential spring (21) and the coupling piece (17) then forming a ratchet with the pinion (3).
8. Locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein the coupling piece (17) has tangential teeth (47) provided with 3 teeth (47.1, 47.2, 47.3) opposite peripheral teeth (5) of the pinion (3).
9. Blocker (1) according to claim 8, wherein less than one outer tooth (47.1, 47.3) of the tangential teeth (47) has an outwardly cut flank.
10. A locking device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the locking device (1) comprises a magnet fixed to a movable part (9, 15, 17) enabling, by detecting the position of the magnet, the determination of the radial position of the coupling part (17).
11. A locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein, in the free position, the pads (45) of the chamber (15) rest on arms (31) of the slide (9), in a stable, planar-to-planar abutment position.
12. Brake (10) comprising an electric motor (4), wherein the brake (10) comprises a locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11.
13. Brake (10) according to claim 11, wherein the brake (10) comprises a magnet position detector carried by a movable part (9, 15, 17) of the locking device (1) according to claim 10.
14. Brake (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the brake is a disc brake. 15.Brake (10) according to claim 13, wherein said brake is a floating caliper disc brake.
16. Brake (10) according to claim 12 or 13 comprising a locking device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the brake (10) comprises a caliper (C) and wherein, in the locked position, the elasticity of the caliper (C) exerts on the pinion (3) a torque in the direction corresponding to the reduction of the braking force and thus confirms the tangential penetration of the bolt (49) into an opening (24) of a radial locking strike plate (23) or vice versa.
17. Brake (10) according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the brake (10) comprises a blocker (1) according to claim 10, wherein the brake (10) comprises an electronic brake control board and wherein the electronic board is provided with a magnet position detector.
18. Method for manufacturing a brake (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. assembly of a brake (10) according to claim 16, b. connection of a brake controller to the vehicle's braking system, c. rotation of the motor (4) in the direction of increasing braking by one elementary step; d. activation of the actuator (7) until it stabilizes; e. measurement of the position of the magnet and determination of the relative position of the coupling piece (17) and the pinion (3); f. sequential repetition of steps b to e; g.
19. A method for manufacturing a brake (10) according to claim 17, wherein the manufacturing method includes a step for alerting the braking system if, in the free position of the lock (1), a relative position of the coupling (17) of the pinion (3) is detected outside the zone memorized in step h, indicating in particular an abnormal shape of one of the teeth of the pinion (3).
20. A method for controlling a brake according to claim 16, wherein, upon commanding the lock to position it in the free position, or upon detection that it should be in the free position, particularly during a service braking command, said method comprises the following steps: a. measurement of the position of the magnet and determination of the relative position of the coupling piece (17) and the pinion (3); b. comparison of said relative position with a non-contact zone determined by a method according to claim 17; c. alerting the braking system in the event that the coupling piece (17) is outside said non-contact zone, in particular at the risk of engaging the teeth of the pinion (3).
Citation Information
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US20220024426A1
Electromechanical brake capable of automatically releasing parking braking
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