Electromechanical Brake Caliper Force Sensing via Hydraulic Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical braking devices face challenges in accurately determining the additional power required for precise control, often relying on costly or less accurate methods such as monitoring operating parameters or using strength sensors.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical braking device with a hydraulically locked, fluid-filled cavity supports the clamping device, utilizing a pressure sensor to determine fluid pressure, which is then used to calculate the additional power, allowing for precise control with inexpensive technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If monitoring operating parameters (motor current, motor position) is used to determine clamping force, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid-filled cavity as an intermediary between the electromechanical tensioning device and the brake caliper. This cavity translates the mechanical clamping force into hydraulic pressure, which can be precisely measured by a pressure sensor. The fluid acts as a mediator that converts one type of physical quantity (mechanical force) into another (pressure) that is easier to measure accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical force measurement with hydraulic pressure measurement. Instead of using complex force sensors or inferring force from motor parameters, the system uses a pressure sensor to measure the hydraulic pressure in the fluid-filled cavity, which directly corresponds to the clamping force applied by the tensioning device.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to measure application force, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-filled cavity serves as an intermediary that translates mechanical clamping force into hydraulic pressure. This allows the use of a pressure sensor instead of a force sensor, achieving accurate measurement while avoiding the complexity and cost associated with direct force measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system with a fluid-filled cavity to transmit and amplify the clamping force. By measuring the hydraulic pressure rather than the mechanical force directly, the system achieves precise measurement using a pressure sensor, which is simpler and more cost-effective than force sensors while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If redundant pressure sensors are installed, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements redundancy by installing multiple pressure sensors in the fluid-filled cavity before any failure can occur. This allows the system to continue operating even if one sensor fails, as the remaining sensors can still provide accurate pressure measurements. The redundancy is built into the system design from the outset to prevent reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple pressure sensors to measure the same physical parameter (hydraulic pressure) from different locations or perspectives. By comparing and cross-validating the readings from multiple sensors, the system can detect and compensate for sensor failures, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex backup systems.
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
This approach enables accurate determination of additional power with improved precision and cost-effectiveness, ensuring reliable regulation of the braking device even if one pressure sensor fails, by using redundant pressure sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor is hydraulically connected to the fluid-filled cavity and is designed to determine the fluid pressure within the fluid-filled cavity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electromechanical brake device (100) having a brake caliper (108) and having a pressure piston (112) which is mounted in the brake caliper (108) so as to be movable along a brake-application direction (114), wherein the brake device (100) has an electromechanical brake-application device (106), wherein the brake-application device (106) is supported at one side on the pressure piston (112) and is designed to subject the pressure piston (112) to a force acting along the brake-application direction (114). According to the invention, it is provided here that the brake device (100) has at least one hydraulically isolated fluid-filled cavity (122), wherein the brake-application device (106) is supported at the other side indirectly on the brake caliper (108) via the fluid-filled cavity (122), and wherein a pressure sensor (148) is hydraulically connected to the fluid-filled cavity (122) and is designed to determine the fluid pressure within the fluid-filled cavity (122).