Vehicle Brake Locking Mechanism for Stable Parking Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Electro Mechanical Brakes (EMBs) lack self-locking functionality, leading to unpredictable release of braking force when power is cut off due to the structural characteristics of ball screws, which prevents stable maintenance of parking braking states.
Innovation Solution
A brake apparatus with a parking gear part and constraint mechanism that includes a body part, constraint members, and a locking part to restrict rotation during parking braking, using a transfer gear system to maintain the braking force and prevent random separation of the piston from the pad, and an adjuster to limit the moving range and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a ball screw is used to drive the piston in an EMB, then quick responsiveness and high efficiency are achieved, but the system cannot perform self-locking function to restrict its own rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the driving system into two independent drivers: a first driver (ball screw) for quick responsiveness during normal braking, and a second driver (worm gear) for self-locking during parking braking. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a constraint part as an intermediary mechanism that transfers rotational constraint from the second driver to the parking gear part. This intermediary enables the ball screw to maintain its responsiveness while the constraint part provides the necessary self-locking function through the second driver.
2Loss of energy
If power is cut off in a conventional EMB, then energy consumption is reduced, but braking force is randomly released due to lack of self-locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by engaging the constraint part with the parking gear part before power is completely cut off. The second driver预先 activates the self-locking mechanism, ensuring that when power is cut, the braking force remains stable without random release.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint part with the second driver provides self-service by automatically maintaining the parking braking state without continuous power supply. The self-locking mechanism sustains the braking force independently after initial engagement, eliminating the need for continuous energy input.
3Reliability
If a constraint mechanism is added to provide self-locking, then parking braking stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint part is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a rotational constraint mechanism for self-locking and as a guide for the piston movement. The guide part within the constraint part simultaneously provides directional guidance and structural support, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the constraint function and the guiding function into a single constraint part structure. The constraint member and guide part are integrated, combining multiple functions into one component to minimize overall structural complexity while achieving the desired reliability.
4Reliability
If the constraint part moves freely to constrain the parking gear, then self-locking effectiveness is improved, but collision damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a buffer between the constraint part and the parking gear part. The constraint member is designed to engage gradually, and the guide part provides controlled movement that prevents sudden collisions, cushioning the interaction to avoid damage while maintaining self-locking effectiveness.
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 maintains a stable parking braking state by preventing the piston from separating from the pad and ensuring the braking force is retained even when the driver operation is stopped, while also preventing damage from collisions and ensuring secure locking of the output shaft.
Implementation Method 1
The conventional EMB secures quick responsiveness and high efficiency of the piston through a ball screw
Implementation Method 2
a brake apparatus which pushes a piston with a driving force such that a pad and a disk are pressed against each other, and brakes a vehicle by using the frictional force between the pad and the disk
Data Source
AI summary
A brake apparatus for a vehicle may include: a first driver and a second driver each configured to generate a driving force; a transfer gear part rotated by the driving force received from the first driver; a piston part configured to press or release a pad part according to the direction in which the piston part is moved forward or backward; a parking gear part rotated with the transfer gear part; a constraint part moved forward or backward by the driving force of the second driver, and configured to constrain the rotation of the parking gear part by being moved to one side during parking braking; and a locking part configured to transfer the driving force, generated by the second driver, to the constraint part, and to restrict the constraint part from moving to the other side during parking braking.