Electromechanical Brake Actuator Redundancy for Power Supply Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromechanical braking systems in vehicles face reduced braking performance and increased safety risks when power supply to actuators fails, particularly affecting axles that are unloaded during braking, leading to insufficient deceleration.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a redundant power supply system with at least two independent energy supply devices, where each actuator has a primary and secondary source, allowing automatic switching in case of primary source failure, and incorporating energy absorption and recuperation devices to maintain braking functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single energy supply device is assigned to each actuator, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the operational reliability deteriorates when power supply fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a redundant energy supply system where each actuator is pre-configured with both a primary and a secondary energy supply device. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the primary energy supply fails, the secondary supply is already in place and can immediately take over, thus improving operational reliability without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning by equipping each actuator with a secondary energy supply device that serves as a backup. This preparatory measure cushions against the harmful effect of primary energy supply failure, ensuring continuous operation of braking actuators even when the primary power source fails, thereby improving system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If braking devices on unloaded axles lose power supply, then the system complexity remains low, but the braking performance deteriorates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performanceVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into multiple independent energy supply devices, with each actuator having its own primary and secondary power sources. This segmentation allows the braking system to maintain functionality on any axle even if power supply to other axles fails, ensuring that critical braking performance is preserved without requiring a fully integrated complex power distribution system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4377170B1Redundant electromechanical braking system and actuator therefor
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4377170B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4377170B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electromechanical braking system for a vehicle, having at least one first actuator, at least one first and one second energy supply device, wherein one of the energy supply devices is assigned to the first actuator as a primary source for supplying it with electrical energy, and the first actuator has a connection to this primary source. The first actuator additionally has a connection to an energy supply device which is assigned to said actuator as a secondary source and is intended to supply the first actuator with electrical energy from the primary source. An actuator having a primary and a secondary energy absorption device, each for connection to an energy supply device. Vehicle, trailer or utility vehicle combination having such a braking system and/or such an actuator.