Disc Brake Caliper Indicator for Parking Brake Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnosing issues with hydraulic disc brakes in light-duty heavy vehicles is challenging due to the need to disassemble the brakes, making it difficult to determine the status of the parking brake arrangement without removing the wheel.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic disc brake with a parking brake indicator integrated into the caliper housing, allowing for visual inspection to determine if the parking brake is applied or released, and utilizing a parking brake piston that acts as the indicator, minimizing packaging and requiring no additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the brake is designed as a conventional hydraulic disc brake without visual indicators, then the brake structure remains simple and compact, but it becomes difficult to diagnose brake issues and determine parking brake status without disassembling the brake
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system performs self-diagnosis through the parking brake indicator that automatically shows the parking brake status and potential issues without requiring external inspection or disassembly. The indicator serves itself by using existing brake components (piston position, hydraulic fluid levels) to convey system state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking brake indicator uses visual differentiation (projection vs. retraction of the indicator element) to communicate brake status. When the parking brake is applied, the indicator projects outward; when released, it retracts, providing clear visual feedback without complex electronics.
2Ease of operation
If a separate parking brake indicator component is added to the caliper housing, then visual inspection capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake indicator function is merged with the existing parking brake piston assembly. The indicator element is integrated into the piston structure, and the indicator bore serves dual purposes: housing the parking brake mechanism and providing the visual indication feature. This eliminates separate indicator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking brake piston serves multiple functions: it applies the parking brake force to the rotor and simultaneously acts as the visual indicator for brake status. The indicator bore also serves dual purposes as both a housing feature and a visual reference point for the indicator.
3Volume of moving object
If the parking brake piston is made co-axial with the service piston, then the overall packaging is minimized for smaller vehicles, but the design and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake design transitions from a single-service-piston configuration to a dual-piston co-axial arrangement, utilizing the radial dimension efficiently. By stacking pistons co-axially rather than placing them side-by-side, the overall brake width is reduced, enabling compact packaging for light electric vehicles.
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
Facilitates easy diagnosis of brake issues through visual inspection, ensuring correct functioning and immediate identification of problems, while minimizing space and components, allowing the brake to fit in smaller locations.
Implementation Method 1
a service brake arrangement configured to actuate under hydraulic pressure to urge a brake pad towards a rotor to apply the disc brake during a braking operation
Implementation Method 2
urge a brake pad towards a rotor to apply the disc brake
Implementation Method 3
a parking brake arrangement configured to urge the brake pad towards the rotor to apply the disc brake during a parking operation
Implementation Method 4
The parking brake arrangement may be configured to be moved to the released condition by hydraulic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic disc brake for a vehicle. The disc brake comprises a service brake arrangement configured to actuate under hydraulic pressure to urge a brake pad towards a rotor to apply the disc brake during a braking operation; a parking brake arrangement configured to urge the brake pad towards the rotor to apply the disc brake during a parking operation, wherein the parking brake arrangement has an applied condition and a released condition; and a parking brake indicator configured to indicate whether the parking brake arrangement is in the applied condition or the released condition.