Electric Park Brake Differential Actuation

The patent replaces the traditional cable-actuated mechanical parking brake system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor provides precise control over piston actuation, ensuring even distribution of braking force across multiple pistons. This substitution of mechanical cable actuation with an electric motor system resolves the contradiction by achieving consistent braking performance through controlled electric actuation while maintaining a manageable system structure through the use of a differential assembly and gear cluster.

The patent changes the actuation parameter from cable tension to electric motor rotation. By controlling the rotation of the electric motor through a differential assembly and gear cluster, the system can precisely control the movement of multiple pistons. This parameter change enables even distribution of braking force across all pistons, improving braking performance consistency while the differential mechanism manages the complexity of multi-piston actuation.

The patent segments the braking function by using a differential assembly that independently actuates multiple pistons. Each piston can be controlled to apply braking force evenly across the brake caliper. This segmentation of the actuation system allows for precise control over each piston while the differential mechanism coordinates their movement, achieving even braking force distribution without requiring a completely complex system architecture.

The electric motor with differential assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as the power source, the actuator, and the force distribution mechanism. The differential assembly simultaneously drives multiple pistons while also providing mechanical advantage and force equalization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reliable even braking force distribution across multiple pistons.

The patent introduces a differential assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the electric motor and the multiple pistons. This differential assembly automatically distributes the rotational motion and force from the single electric motor to multiple pistons in a balanced manner. The intermediary differential mechanism handles the complex task of simultaneous multi-piston actuation, ensuring even energy distribution without requiring complex electronic control systems to manage each piston individually.

The differential assembly provides self-service by automatically equalizing the force distribution to multiple pistons through its inherent mechanical design. As the electric motor rotates the differential, the geometry of the differential mechanism naturally ensures that force is distributed evenly to all connected pistons. This self-equalizing property eliminates the need for complex external control mechanisms to manage energy distribution, making the system easier to operate while maintaining reliable even braking force across all pistons.