Electromechanical Parking Brake Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake systems for motor vehicles are cumbersome, with a high number of components and limited user-friendliness, necessitating a solution that reduces complexity and enhances ergonomic design while maintaining safety.
Innovation Solution
A parking brake system incorporating an electromagnetic linear actuator, transducers to detect lever rotation and pedal activation, and a control unit that ensures the ratchet mechanism is released only when the driver intentionally activates the brake and accelerator pedals, eliminating the need for a manual button and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual button and lever mechanism are used to release the ratchet mechanism, then the driver can control the parking brake release, but the device complexity increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the manual button and complex lever mechanism from the hand brake lever, extracting only the essential manual lifting function while eliminating unnecessary release control components. The release function is transferred to an automated electromechanical actuator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical button-lever release mechanism with an electromechanical actuator system. The actuator receives electrical signals from the control unit and automatically drives the hook to disengage from the toothed sector, substituting complex manual mechanical control with a simpler electromechanical system.
2Device complexity
If the button and lever mechanism are eliminated, then space is saved and ergonomic design is improved, but the risk of accidental release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple sensors that provide feedback to the control unit: a lever position sensor detects when the hand brake lever is lifted to the release position, and a pedal sensor detects when the brake pedal is pressed. The control unit processes this feedback information and only activates the actuator when both conditions are met, preventing accidental release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requires preliminary actions by the driver before release occurs: the driver must first lift the hand brake lever to the predetermined position and then press the brake pedal. Only after these preliminary actions are completed does the control unit activate the actuator to release the parking brake, ensuring intentional operation.
3Reliability
If an automated release system with sensors and control unit is implemented, then accidental release is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives signals from the lever position sensor, processes the sensor information, determines whether release conditions are met, and controls the actuator activation. This multi-functionality consolidates control logic into a single component, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lever position sensor, pedal sensor, control unit, and actuator into an integrated release control system. These components work together as a unified system to provide automated release control with accidental prevention, merging multiple functions into a coordinated mechanism.
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 allows for a simpler, safer, and more user-friendly operation by ensuring the ratchet mechanism is released only with intentional driver input, reducing the risk of accidental release and enhancing versatility.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator 9, for example an electromagnetic linear actuator, which: a) is arranged at a second end of the hook 8, b) comprises an output rod 10, and c) is adapted to control the movement of the output rod 10 between a retracted position, in which the output rod 10 is detached from the second end of the hook 8, and an extracted position, in which the output rod 10 pushes the second end of the hook 8
Data Source
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AI summary
A parking brake system (1) for a motor vehicle is provided with a lever (2), which can rotate in a first and in a second rotation direction, which are opposite one another, a ratchet mechanism (6) to lock the rotation of the lever (2) in the second rotation direction, an actuator (9) to release the ratchet mechanism (6), a first transducer (T1) to detect a quantity (G1) indicative of the rotation of the lever (2) in the first rotation direction, a second transducer (T2; T3) to detect the activation of a brake pedal or of an accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle, and a control unit (12), which is coupled to the first transducer (T1) so as to extract information associated with the quantity (G1) and to the second transducer so as to receive a signal in response to the activation of the brake pedal or of the accelerator pedal; the control unit (12) is configured to compare the information with a reference value and to control the actuator (9) so as to release the ratchet mechanism (6) when it receives the signal and the information has a predetermined relation with the reference value.