Disc Brake Torque Detection Using Brake Disc Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current disc brake systems for commercial vehicles lack precise control over braking torque, particularly for automated driving functions like platooning, where accurate braking force and friction values are crucial but not adequately measured by existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A disc brake system with a measuring device and evaluation unit that calculates braking torque by detecting physical changes in the brake disc during the braking process, using temperature sensors, optical measuring units, inductive sensors, or deformation sensors to account for mechanical hysteresis and frictional fluctuations, eliminating the need for expensive measuring hubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive measuring hubs are used to measure braking torque, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the complex measuring hub and implements it directly on the brake disc using simple sensors. The brake disc itself becomes the measurement carrier, with sensors detecting physical changes (temperature, deformation, optical properties) that occur during braking. This eliminates the need for separate, complex measuring hubs while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex measuring hubs with inexpensive, simple sensors that can be easily manufactured and integrated. These sensors (temperature sensors, optical sensors, deformation sensors) are much cheaper than measuring hubs and can be produced in large quantities, making the overall system more economical despite sacrificing some measurement sophistication.
2Device complexity
If existing measurement methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brake disc serves multiple functions: it provides friction surfaces for braking and simultaneously acts as a measurement carrier. Physical changes in the brake disc (temperature increase, deformation, optical property changes) during braking are detected by sensors, allowing the same component to fulfill both braking and measurement functions without adding separate complex measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measuring hubs with non-contact or minimally invasive sensors that detect physical changes in the brake disc. Temperature sensors measure thermal changes, optical sensors detect brightness or reflection changes, and deformation sensors measure dimensional changes - all substituting for mechanical measurement approaches.
3Measurement precision
If additional power or pressure sensors are used, then device complexity increases, but braking force control precision does not improve
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring braking force directly through power or pressure sensors on the braking components, the patent measures the effects of braking (temperature increase, deformation, optical changes) on the brake disc and calculates the braking torque from these measurements. This indirect measurement approach simplifies the sensor system while providing the needed control precision.
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
Enables precise and economical measurement of braking torque, improving the control of the braking process and reducing the influence of mechanical and frictional variations, thus enhancing the efficiency of automated driving functions.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring device is designed as a temperature measuring device, with which at least one the temperature of the friction surface of the at least one friction of the brake disc is ascertained
Implementation Method 2
the measuring device is designed as an optical measuring unit, in particular as a photo cell, which is geared towards a section of the brake disc and thus, for example, by entering a brightness difference that results from the deformation of the brake disc during a braking process
Implementation Method 3
the measuring device can be deformed with the measuring device. This makes it easy to deform the brake disc in the area of the disc neck, which is proportional to the brake moment
Implementation Method 4
using temperature sensors, optical measuring units, inductive sensors, or deformation sensors to account for mechanical hysteresis and frictional fluctuations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a disc brake of a motor vehicle, in particular for a utility vehicle, said disc brake comprising: a brake disc (1) having at least one friction ring (2); at least one brake lining (6); a clamping device using which the at least one brake lining (6) can be pressed against the brake disc (1) while exerting a braking torque on the brake disc (1); a measuring device; and an evaluation unit for determining the braking torque exerted on the brake disc (1); wherein physical changes to the brake disc (1) occurring as a result of a braking operation can be detected using the measuring device, and the measuring device is coupled to an evaluation unit in which the braking torque exerted during the braking operation can be calculated from the measured physical change to the brake disc (1).