Proportional Air Brake Control for Drum-Disc Axle Torque Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of different brake types on vehicle axles, such as drum and disc brakes, leads to torque imbalances, uneven wear, and premature wheel locking issues due to differences in brake factor, self-energization, and heat dissipation, particularly when anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are not uniformly applied across all axles.
Innovation Solution
A braking arrangement that includes a source of pressurized air and proportional valves to regulate the engagement and disengagement of pneumatic brakes, ensuring that the braking torque curves for different brake types are more similar, thereby minimizing torque imbalances and uneven wear, and reducing the likelihood of wheel locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drum brakes are used on auxiliary axles and disc brakes on rear axles for cost reasons, then initial equipment cost is reduced, but braking torque imbalance occurs between axles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the brake factor parameter by modifying the drum brake geometry (radius ratio between brake shoe and drum), allowing drum brakes to provide braking torque more similar to disc brakes, thereby reducing torque imbalance between axles with different brake types
Solution Approach 2:
The invention compensates in advance for the expected torque imbalance by adjusting the brake factor of drum brakes before operation, preventing the imbalance from occurring during normal braking operations
2Force
If drum brakes are used, then braking torque is higher and stopping distance is reduced, but brake wear increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the brake factor parameter to provide sufficient braking torque while reducing excessive friction forces that cause rapid wear, achieving a balance between stopping performance and component longevity
3Force
If high braking forces are applied to axles without ABS, then stopping distance is reduced, but wheels lock up prematurely causing flat spots on tires
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adjusts the brake factor parameter to provide high braking forces while maintaining wheel rotation control, preventing premature lock-up and flat spot formation on tires
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 solution ensures more uniform braking performance across axles with different brake types, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and minimizing tire wear and pollution by making brake torque delivery more consistent and controlled.
Implementation Method 1
a proportional valve between the source of pressurized air and the first brake, opening of the proportional valve being proportional to pressure in a line between the source of pressurized air and the proportional valve
Data Source
AI summary
A braking arrangement for a vehicle includes a source of pressurized air, a first wheel with a first pneumatic brake arrangement including a first brake, the first brake being arranged to be engaged when connected to the source of pressurized air and disengaged when disconnected from the source of pressurized air, a second wheel with a second pneumatic brake arrangement including a second brake, the second brake being arranged to be engaged when connected to the source of pressurized air and disengaged when disconnected from the source of pressurized air, and a proportional valve between the source of pressurized air and the first brake, opening of the proportional valve being proportional to pressure in a line between the source of pressurized air and the proportional valve. The first pneumatic brake arrangement and the second pneumatic brake arrangement function differently.