Auxiliary Battery Brake Release Assembly for Electric Transaxles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric drive systems for self-propelled vehicles, such as lawn mowers and tractors, lack an effective method to release the fail-safe brake when the vehicle is not in operation or when the batteries are discharged, hindering towing or servicing.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary battery-powered brake release assembly is introduced, which allows for the manual release of the fail-safe brake by using a battery-powered circuit with a switchable configuration and LED indicators, enabling the vehicle to be moved or towed by energizing coils to oppose the spring-biased brake mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fail-safe brake mechanism is used in electric drive systems, then safety and automatic braking are improved, but the ability to release the brake when batteries are discharged deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A manual brake release mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device that operates independently of the electrical system. This mechanical intermediary allows the brake to be released by manually actuating a release lever that directly disengages the brake shoes from the drum, bypassing the need for electrical power while maintaining the fail-safe braking function during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake release mechanism is designed to be self-contained and manually operable without requiring external power sources. The system uses the vehicle's existing mechanical components (release lever, springs, brake shoes) to enable self-release functionality, allowing operators to service or tow the vehicle even when batteries are depleted.
2Extent of automation
If an electric brake release system is used, then automated brake control is improved, but functionality when power is depleted deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system is segmented into two independent subsystems: an electrical control subsystem for automated braking during operation, and a mechanical release subsystem for manual intervention when needed. This segmentation allows each subsystem to optimize its function without compromising the other, maintaining automated control capabilities while adding manual release versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both automated operation and manual release needs. The same brake assembly (drum, shoes, springs) serves both the electrically-controlled automatic braking function and the manually-actuated release function, making the system adaptable to different operational conditions without requiring separate systems.
3Extent of automation
If spring-biased brake mechanism is used, then automatic engagement is improved, but manual release capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake release mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including springs that can be compressed and released, and a lever system that transforms small manual inputs into sufficient force to overcome the spring bias. The springs provide automatic engagement force while the lever mechanism allows easy manual release by converting minimal user effort into the necessary counteracting force.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical release mechanism is replaced with a purely mechanical release system that uses a lever and spring arrangement. This mechanical substitution eliminates dependence on electrical power for release functionality, allowing operators to easily disengage the brake through direct mechanical action on the release lever that opposes and overcomes the spring bias.
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
Enables safe and convenient release of the fail-safe brake, allowing for vehicle movement or towing when the main power is depleted, enhancing maintenance and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
enabling the vehicle to be moved or towed by energizing coils to oppose the spring-biased brake mechanism
Implementation Method 2
brake release assembly, which allows for the manual release of the fail-safe brake by using a battery-powered circuit with a switchable configuration and LED indicators
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle connectable to an auxiliary power unit capable of energizing a pair of fail-safe brakes that arrest rotation of a pair of electric transaxles mounted to the vehicle. Each brake has an external connector and requires electrical power to assume a non-braked state that permits free rotation of an electric motor engaged to the brake and incorporated in each of the electric transaxles. The auxiliary power unit having first and second circuits and first and second connectors compatible with the external connectors of one of the brakes.