Dual-Circuit Service Brake with Force Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulically releasable spring-loaded brakes in mobile working machines, such as industrial trucks, lack force feedback for the driver, leading to potential overbraking and increased maintenance complexity, especially in dual-circuit service brake systems.

Innovation Solution

A dual-circuit service brake system is designed with a muscle-powered brake circuit and a power brake circuit, featuring a proportional pressure control valve that provides metered brake release pressure reduction, allowing for force feedback and reduced construction complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single-circuit spring-applied brake is used as a service brake, then the brake can be actuated into the release position by brake release pressure, but the driver receives no feedback at the brake pedal indicating when the brakes are applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake operation feedbackVSAvoidbrake circuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system is divided into two independent brake circuits: a first brake circuit that provides force feedback to the driver for precise brake control, and a second brake circuit that provides the spring-applied brake function. This segmentation allows each circuit to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between providing feedback and maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first brake circuit acts as an intermediary that transmits force feedback from the brake application state back to the driver through the brake pedal. This intermediary mechanism allows the driver to sense brake engagement without requiring complex modifications to the spring-applied brake mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a dual-circuit service brake system is implemented, then braking reliability is improved, but construction complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking system reliabilityVSAvoiddual-circuit system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-circuit system is segmented into a first brake circuit for service braking with force feedback and a second brake circuit for spring-applied braking. Each circuit is designed to be functionally independent, allowing the system to maintain high reliability while keeping individual circuit complexities manageable. The segmentation enables redundant braking paths without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If cable-actuated brakes are used, then mechanical manual actuation is achieved, but the cable stretches resulting in significant tolerances and overbraking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical brake actuationVSAvoidbrake torque control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable actuation system with a hydraulic brake circuit that uses fluid pressure transmission. This substitution eliminates the cable stretching problem inherent in mechanical systems, providing more precise and consistent brake torque control while maintaining mechanical manual actuation capability through the brake pedal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system enables controlled braking with force feedback to the driver, reducing the risk of overbraking and maintaining low construction costs while ensuring reliable operation as a service brake with an auxiliary braking function.

Implementation Method 1

the spring-applied brake can be acted upon by means of a hydraulic brake release pressure present in a brake release pressure chamber in the direction of a release position and can be acted upon by means of a hydraulic brake pressure present in a brake pressure chamber in the direction of a braking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the spring-applied brake can be acted upon by means of a hydraulic brake release pressure present in a brake release pressure chamber in the direction of a release position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the spring-applied brake can be acted upon by means of a hydraulic brake pressure present in a brake pressure chamber in the direction of a braking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

a stack of several disc-like discs alternates between a stationary disc and a rotating disc. During braking, this stack is compressed at the ends by the stationary discs, and a shaft connected to the rotating discs is braked across the entire frictional surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3034369B1Mobile working machine with a braking device
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 LINDE MATERIAL HANDLING GMBH
  • EP3034369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3034369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3034369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile work machine (1), in particular a forklift truck, with a braking device (6) designed as a hydraulically releasable spring-applied brake (7) and as a dual-circuit service brake, wherein the spring-applied brake (7) can be actuated towards a release position by means of a hydraulic brake release pressure present in a brake release pressure chamber (12) and can be actuated towards a braking position by means of a hydraulic brake pressure present in a brake pressure chamber (13). According to the invention, a first brake circuit (15) of the service brake is formed by a manual-operated brake (20) which has a manually actuated brake cylinder (21) by means of which the brake pressure present in the brake pressure chamber (13) can be generated by manual actuation.A second brake circuit (16) of the service brake is formed by an external force brake which has a pressure regulating valve (25) by means of which the brake release pressure present in the brake release pressure chamber (12) can be metered to decrease.