Electromechanical Brake Energy Recycling Circuit for Back-EMF Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical brake systems face issues with back electromotive force accumulation during reverse motor rotation, leading to potential circuit overvoltage damage and increased energy consumption due to inefficient energy recycling.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical brake system incorporating a capacitor-based power source and an energy recycling circuit with a unidirectional conduction element and voltage regulating elements, which recovers energy generated during brake release and limits recharge current to prevent overvoltage, featuring a protective switch assembly to control power flow and manage energy recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor rotates in reverse direction to release brake force, then the brake system can be released, but back electromotive force accumulates causing overvoltage damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake releaseVSAvoidcircuit safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful back electromotive force generated during motor reverse rotation into useful energy by directing it through a rectifier circuit to charge the capacitor-based power source. The energy recycling circuit includes a diode bridge rectifier that converts the reverse EMF into usable electrical energy, transforming what was previously a harmful overvoltage risk into a beneficial energy recovery mechanism that extends system operation time and reduces energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an energy recycling circuit as an intermediary component between the motor and the power source. This circuit includes voltage regulation elements and protection devices that mediate the energy flow during motor reverse rotation, preventing direct overvoltage damage to the control system while enabling safe energy recovery. The intermediary circuit manages the transition of energy from the motor back to the power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the motor rotates in reverse direction repeatedly during multiple brake actions, then braking function is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to lack of energy recycling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake action frequencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements energy recovery by capturing the back electromotive force that would otherwise be discarded during motor reverse rotation. The energy recycling circuit redirects this energy back to the capacitor-based power source, creating a closed-loop energy management system. This allows the brake system to perform multiple brake and release cycles while maintaining lower overall energy consumption, as each release phase replenishes the power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If no energy recycling circuit is installed, then circuit structure is simpler, but back electromotive force causes overvoltage damage and energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidcircuit protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an energy recycling circuit as an intermediary component between the motor and the power source. This circuit includes voltage regulation elements and protection devices that mediate the energy flow during motor reverse rotation, preventing direct overvoltage damage to the control system while enabling safe energy recovery. The intermediary circuit manages the transition of energy from the motor back to the power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful back electromotive force generated during motor reverse rotation into useful energy by directing it through a rectifier circuit to charge the capacitor-based power source. The energy recycling circuit includes a diode bridge rectifier that converts the reverse EMF into usable electrical energy, transforming what was previously a harmful overvoltage risk into a beneficial energy recovery mechanism that extends system operation time and reduces energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution effectively prevents overvoltage damage and reduces energy consumption by recycling energy back to the capacitor-based power source, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the electromechanical brake system.

Implementation Method 1

The energy recycling circuit comprises a unidirectional conduction element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUnidirectional conduction: Diode

Implementation Method 2

The energy recycling circuit comprises a unidirectional conduction element and/or a voltage regulating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 3

a capacitor-based power source and at least one electric brake device. The electric brake device comprises a motor that acquires electric power from the capacitor-based power source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance energy storage: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

A reverse electromotive force may be generated when the motor rotates in a reverse direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBack electromotive force generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4048562B1An electromechanical brake system
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 HALDEX BRAKE PROD AB
  • EP4048562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4048562B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4048562B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to electromechanical brake technology, and more particularly to an electromechanical brake system. The electromechanical brake system comprises a capacitor- based power source and at least one electric brake device. The electric brake device comprises a motor that acquires electric power from the capacitor-based power source via a power supply main circuit to generate a braking force. The electromechanical brake system further comprises an energy recycling circuit connected in parallel to the power supply main circuit. The energy recycling circuit comprises a unidirectional conduction element and/or a voltage regulating element. When the brake force is reduced or the brake is at least partially released in response to a braking demand, the motor generates energy which is returned to the capacitor-based power source via the energy recycling circuit. The present invention may avoid an accumulation of a back electromotive force generated when the motor rotates in a reverse direction, thereby avoiding a hidden danger of circuit overvoltage damage and reducing energy consumption of the electromechanical brake system.