Electropneumatic Parking Brake Piston Valve Manual Electronic Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electropneumatic parking brake systems for utility vehicles lack the ability to seamlessly integrate manual and electronic control, making them inefficient for automated driving scenarios and requiring additional training for drivers to operate new systems, especially in situations requiring additional braking.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electropneumatic parking brake system that includes a pilot module with a pilot store connection and a manually actuatable piston valve, allowing for both manual and electronic control of parking brakes through pneumatic switching, enabling bistable operation and integration with existing compressed air systems for utility and trailer vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually actuatable piston valve is used for parking brake control, then the driver can directly operate the parking brakes, but the system cannot be activated automatically or electronically for automated driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The piston valve is designed to accept multiple actuation methods: it can be operated manually by the driver through direct mechanical actuation, or it can be switched electronically through pneumatic control connections that receive control pressures from electronic control systems. This multi-functional design allows the same valve to serve both manual and automated operating modes without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pneumatic control connections as an intermediary between electronic control systems and the manually actuatable piston valve. Control pressures delivered through these connections enable electronic switching of the valve while preserving the manual actuation capability, thus mediating between electronic automation requirements and manual operation needs.
2Extent of automation
If electronic control is added to the piston valve system, then automated braking can be enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing pneumatic infrastructure of the vehicle's compressed air system to enable electronic control. By using control pressures delivered through pneumatic lines to switch the piston valve, the system leverages the already-present pneumatic environment rather than introducing entirely new electronic actuators, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston valve is designed with multiple control connections that allow it to function in both manual and electronic control modes. This universal design enables the valve to respond to either manual actuation or pneumatic control signals, eliminating the need for separate valve systems and reducing overall device complexity.
3Extent of automation
If the parking brake system is redesigned for electronic operation, then automated driving functionality is improved, but the driver must learn a new system reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of redesigning the piston valve to be electronically actuated and losing manual capability, the patent inverts the approach by maintaining the manually actuatable valve as the primary component and adding electronic control capability through pneumatic connections. This inversion preserves the familiar manual interface while enabling automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston valve is designed to accept both manual actuation and pneumatic control signals, allowing it to function in either mode. This multi-functionality ensures that drivers continue to operate with a familiar manual interface while the system gains automated control capability, maintaining driver familiarity and safety.
4Extent of automation
If additional control systems are integrated into the piston valve, then electropneumatic control is enabled, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manual actuation mechanism with electronic control capability in a single piston valve assembly. By integrating multiple control connections into the existing valve structure and using the pneumatic control lines to switch the valve, the design combines manual and electronic control functions without requiring separate valve systems, thereby reducing the total number of components.
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 allows for efficient and safe engagement and release of parking brakes both manually and electronically, enhancing safety and simplifying operations by maintaining conventional manual operation while enabling electronic control for automated driving scenarios without the need for continuous pressure application.
Implementation Method 1
The piston valve has a first pneumatic control connection at which the first control pressure can be controlled in order to pneumatically switch the piston valve
Implementation Method 2
a pilot module for controlling at least a first control pressure, wherein the pilot module has a pilot store connection for receiving a store pressure from a compressed air store
Data Source
AI summary
An electropneumatic parking brake system for a utility vehicle includes a pilot module configured to control at least a first control pressure. The pilot module has a pilot store connection configured to receive a store pressure from a compressed air device and at least one pilot valve combination. The electropneumatic parking brake system further includes at least one manually actuatable piston valve connected to a valve store connection and having a parking brake connection. The parking brake connection is ventilated in a first switching position of the piston valve and a parking brake pressure at the parking brake connection is controllable in a second switching position of the piston valve. The piston valve has a first pneumatic control connection at which the first control pressure is configured to be controlled in order to pneumatically switch the piston valve.