Integrated Brake Piston Actuation for Residual Torque Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems are not compact and robust, and they lack reliable actuation and release mechanisms for both hydraulic and parking brakes, leading to issues with residual torque application upon brake release.
Innovation Solution
A brake system that integrates a hydraulic brake unit with an electro-mechanical parking brake actuator, utilizing a spindle and nut mechanism coupled by an elastic member to ensure reliable actuation and release, reducing residual torque through active retraction of the brake piston.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a hydraulic brake unit and electro-mechanical parking brake actuator are integrated with a shared brake piston, then the brake system becomes more compact and robust, but reliable actuation and release of both brake systems becomes more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The brake piston is divided into functionally distinct regions: a hydraulic chamber for hydraulic brake actuation and a parking brake chamber for parking brake actuation. The piston includes a hydraulic piston surface and a parking brake piston surface that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows each brake system to operate reliably without interfering with the other, while sharing the same physical piston component.
Solution Approach 2:
A one-way clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the parking brake actuator and the brake piston. The one-way clutch allows the parking brake actuator to drive the brake piston during parking brake application, but prevents the hydraulic brake from driving the parking brake actuator during hydraulic brake operation. This intermediary ensures reliable independent operation of both brake systems.
2Device complexity
If the brake piston is designed to handle both hydraulic and parking brake functions, then the number of components is reduced, but residual torque application upon brake release becomes more problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is extracted as a separate component that couples the brake piston to the parking brake actuator. This elastic member provides a dedicated retraction mechanism that actively pulls the brake piston away from the friction surface during brake release, counteracting residual torque effects without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is configured to automatically retract the brake piston upon release of the parking brake actuator. The elastic member stores energy during brake application and releases this energy during brake release to actively pull the piston back, providing self-service retraction that eliminates residual torque without external intervention.
3Reliability
If a one-way clutch is introduced to manage the coupling between parking brake actuator and brake piston, then reliable release is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way clutch is merged with the existing coupling mechanism between the parking brake actuator and the brake piston. Rather than being a separate complex assembly, the one-way clutch functionality is integrated into the coupling structure, allowing the same component to provide both force transmission during brake application and one-way release during brake release.
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 system provides a compact and robust brake solution with reliable actuation and release of both hydraulic and parking brakes, minimizing residual torque and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is configured to drive a motion of the brake piston in a direction opposite the direction of the braking motion of the brake piston
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic brake unit is configured for hydraulic actuation of the braking motion of the brake piston
Implementation Method 3
The electro-mechanical parking brake actuator comprises a spindle. The spindle is rotatable by an electric motor. The electro-mechanical parking brake actuator further comprises a nut received on the spindle such that a rotational motion of the spindle leads to a translational motion of the nut
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a brake system for a vehicle, comprising a brake piston connectable to a brake pad and configured for performing a braking motion to press the brake pad against a friction surface, a hydraulic brake unit configured for hydraulic actuation of the braking motion, an electro-mechanical parking brake actuator configured for actuating the braking motion comprising a spindle rotatable by an electric motor, and a nut such that a rotational motion of the spindle leads to a translational motion of the nut, wherein the nut is coupled with the brake piston such that a translational motion of the nut toward the brake piston actuates the braking motion of the brake piston, wherein the brake system further comprises an elastic member coupling the brake piston with the nut, configured to drive a motion of the brake piston in a direction opposite the direction of the braking motion.