Vehicle Brake Actuator External Power Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake systems, particularly electric parking brakes, face challenges in releasing or securing the brake when the vehicle's electrical system fails or the battery drains, leading to a locked state that is difficult to resolve without manual intervention or bulky energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with an actuator that allows direct external electrical connection via a serial connection, such as USB, to external devices like smartphones or laptops, enabling external energy supply specifically to the actuator, along with a capacitor for energy storage, allowing for efficient release and securing of the brake without starting the vehicle's engine, using a lightweight and mobile energy source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional battery is integrated into the vehicle electrical system to provide energy for the brake actuator, then the brake can be released and secured even when the main battery fails, but the vehicle weight increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the main vehicle battery and places it in an external portable device. The brake actuator can draw power directly from this external battery via a connection interface, eliminating the need for an additional integrated battery in the vehicle. This resolves the contradiction by providing backup power capability without adding permanent weight to the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is designed to accept power from various external energy sources (portable batteries, power banks, or the main vehicle battery). This multi-functional interface provides backup brake operation capability while accommodating different power sources, achieving reliability improvement without committing to a specific heavy integrated battery solution.
2Reliability
If a bulky energy source is used to ensure sufficient power for the brake actuator, then the brake can be reliably released, but the device complexity and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy source is extracted from the vehicle system and placed in a portable external device that the user carries independently. This external battery connects to the brake actuator through a standard interface, providing sufficient power without requiring complex integrated energy storage systems within the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts temporary external power sources that can be easily replaced or recharged. Instead of requiring a permanent, complex integrated battery system, the brake can be operated using readily available portable batteries or power banks, simplifying the overall system design.
3Ease of operation
If the electrical connection for external energy sources is connected through the vehicle's electrical system, then energy can be supplied to the actuator, but the connection is not directly accessible when the vehicle electrical system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented into two independent paths: one through the vehicle's electrical system and another direct connection interface accessible from outside the vehicle. This allows users to connect external power sources directly to the brake actuator without relying on the vehicle's electrical system, ensuring accessibility even when the vehicle battery fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct connection interface acts as an intermediary between external power sources and the brake actuator, bypassing the vehicle's electrical system. This intermediary connection ensures that power can be supplied to the brake even when the main electrical system is unavailable, improving both accessibility and reliability.
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 simple and flexible release and securing of the brake using external mobile devices, providing a lightweight and compact energy solution that ensures brake functionality even with a broken-down vehicle electrical system, allowing the vehicle to be moved or secured without additional weight or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor for energy storage, allowing for efficient release and securing of the brake
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a brake system for a vehicle, said brake system comprising a brake for securing the vehicle, wherein the brake comprises an actuator for actuating the brake. It is proposed to directly electrically connect an electrical connection for external energy sources to the actuator of the brake with the result that preferably only the actuator is externally supplied with electrical energy. Furthermore, the disclosure proposes a vehicle having the brake system, and a method for operating the brake system.