Electric Brake Connector Nesting in Caliper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric braking devices face challenges in improving reliability against flying stones and water intrusion, particularly at the connector terminals, which can lead to damage and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves integrating the male and female connectors within the brake caliper, minimizing external exposure and using the caliper's box-type structure to extend the water-intrusion path, thus enhancing protection and water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connector is provided outside the brake caliper for easy access and connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability against flying stones and water intrusion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connector connectionVSAvoidconnector protection against flying stones and water
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the connector directly into the brake caliper structure, merging the connector housing with the caliper body. This eliminates the need for a separate protective cover and ensures the connector terminals are positioned inside the caliper, protected from flying stones and water intrusion while maintaining connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is nested within the brake caliper structure, with the connector housing integrated into the caliper body and terminals positioned inside the caliper interior. This nesting arrangement provides inherent protection without requiring additional external protective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a protection cover is provided for the connector to protect against flying stones, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector protection against flying stonesVSAvoidnumber of protective components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is merged into the brake caliper structure itself. The caliper body serves as the protective housing for the connector, eliminating the need for a separate protection cover. This integration reduces the number of components while maintaining protection against flying stones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake caliper structure serves multiple functions: it provides the braking mechanism, houses the connector, and protects the connector from external damage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protective components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the connector terminals are exposed outside the brake caliper for easy connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the water resistance deteriorates due to shorter water-intrusion path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connector connectionVSAvoidwater resistance of terminal joining portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector terminals are merged into the internal structure of the brake caliper, with male and female terminals positioned inside the caliper interior. This integration automatically extends the water-intrusion path as water must travel through the caliper interior to reach the terminals, providing inherent water protection without additional sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the connector is integrated inside the brake caliper, then the reliability against flying stones and water intrusion is improved, but the ease of operation for connector connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector protection against flying stones and waterVSAvoidease of connector connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is merged with the brake caliper structure, providing protection against flying stones and water. The design allows for practical connection operations by integrating the connector in a way that maintains accessibility while ensuring the terminals remain protected inside the caliper during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2853455B1Electric braking device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 ADVICS CO LTD
  • EP2853455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2853455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2853455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an electric braking device for a vehicle, which includes a brake caliper (CPR), a pressing member (PSN) which is provided to the brake caliper and is driven to press a friction member (MSB) to a rotary member (KTB) fixed to a wheel, an electric motor (MTR) which is a power source to drive the pressing member, an electric power/signal line (PWL, SGL) which supplies electric power to the electric motor or allows a first electric circuit provided in a vehicle body to communicate with a second electric circuit provided in the brake caliper, and a connector (CNC) which relays the electric power line. The connector includes a terminal joining portion which joins one terminal (TS1, TP1) and another terminal (TS2, TP2) to each other, and the one terminal and the another terminal are made of metal. The terminal joining portion is positioned inside the brake caliper.