Drum Brake Park Lever Layout to Prevent Segment Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drum brake design experiences reduced braking intensity and risk of segment dislocation due to high forces exerted by the parking brake lever, causing the first segment to tilt and lose contact with the piston, leading to incomplete braking.

Innovation Solution

The parking brake lever is modified with a thrust portion offset to the median plane, ensuring that forces are applied in the median plane, preventing the segment from tilting and increasing the braking force without altering the brake's dimensions or manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the parking brake lever applies high forces to move the segments apart, then the parking brake can effectively press the segments against the drum, but the first segment tilts and lifts from its supports, reducing braking intensity and risking complete dislocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidsegment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves the lever thrust application point from a single-point contact to a distributed contact area located in the median plane of the brake. By positioning the thrust portion at the median plane (halfway up the segment thickness), the force application is shifted to a different spatial dimension that eliminates the tilting moment while maintaining effective force transmission to separate the segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the lever thrust is applied at the current position, then the structure is simple, but the segment tilts under high forces reducing contact surface and braking intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever structureVSAvoidbraking force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies only the local region where the lever contacts the segment by providing a thrust portion at the median plane, while the rest of the segment and lever structure remains unchanged. This localized modification at the contact interface is sufficient to prevent tilting under high braking forces without requiring redesign of the entire lever mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration significantly enhances the admissible braking force without risking segment tilting, allowing for increased braking performance within existing brake dimensions at minimal additional cost.

Implementation Method 1

These two segments 3, 4 are movable radially so as to be able to be pressed against the cylindrical internal face of a drum not shown so as to generate a braking torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

They are returned towards each other by two return springs 8 and 9

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

It comprises a cylindrical hydraulic chamber closed at its ends by two pistons which move away from each other when the hydraulic pressure increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3526483B1Drum brake with centered park brake lever
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 HITACHI ASTEMO FRANCE
  • EP3526483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526483B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3526483B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drum brake (26) comprising a plate (27) provided with a wheel cylinder (31) and a stop (32) bearing a first segment and a second segment (28, 29), each segment (28, 29) including a web (38) having one end (41) bearing on the wheel cylinder (31) and another end (42) bearing on the stop (32), said webs extending in the same mid-plane (PM). The first segment (28) is provided with a parking brake lever (46) having one end rotationally connected to the first end (41) of the web (38) and another end provided with an actuation attachment. In addition, a connecting rod (43) is provided, comprising a first end (44) bearing on the lever (46) and a second end (45) bearing on the second segment (29). The lever (46) comprises a jog and as a result the portion of the lever that pushes against the connecting rod (43) is located in the mid-plane (PM).