Vehicle Braking Cam Block Gap Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle braking assemblies, particularly those with clevis assemblies, are complex and costly to install and maintain, and they often require multiple parts, which increases production and manufacturing costs. Additionally, by-wire braking systems face issues with gap management between the brake pedal arm and hydraulic booster interface, leading to delayed hydraulic braking system response in case of system failure.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a braking assembly with a cam block attached to the pedal arm that engages a power booster, eliminating the need for a clevis and clevis pin, and incorporating a gap management device to adjust the spacing between the pedal arm and hydraulic booster interface, allowing for simpler engagement and reduced part complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clevis assembly is used to connect the pedal arm and power booster, then the connection is reliable and guides proper alignment, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clevis and clevis pin into a single integrated clevis assembly that directly connects the pedal arm to the power booster rod. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate clevis and pin parts while maintaining the connection function and alignment guidance, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while preserving connection reliability
2Strength
If a traditional clevis assembly with multiple parts is used, then the connection is secure, but the production and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the clevis and clevis pin functions into a single molded or machined component that attaches directly to the pedal arm. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled, thereby reducing production and manufacturing costs while maintaining secure connection strength through the integrated design
3Use of energy by moving object
If a gap is maintained between the pedal arm and hydraulic booster interface for regenerative braking, then regenerative energy harvesting is enabled, but the hydraulic braking system response is delayed in case of system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded plunger mechanism that dynamically adjusts the gap between the pedal arm and hydraulic booster interface. During normal operation, the gap is maintained to allow regenerative braking. In case of by-wire system failure, the spring force automatically closes the gap, enabling immediate hydraulic braking response without manual intervention
4Extent of automation
If the brake pedal is decoupled from the active booster in by-wire systems, then by-wire braking control is achieved, but the gap closure mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spring-loaded plunger that automatically closes the gap between the pedal arm and hydraulic booster when the by-wire system fails. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic sensors, actuators, or control systems to manage the gap, thereby maintaining by-wire braking control while simplifying the gap management mechanism
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 design reduces production and manufacturing costs, simplifies the engagement between the power booster and brake pedal arm, and provides a gap management system that closes the spacing between the pedal arm and hydraulic booster interface in case of by-wire system failure, enhancing the responsiveness of the hydraulic braking system.
Implementation Method 1
The cam block includes a tapered surface configured to guide a push rod in the cam block
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies.