Hydrostatic Drive Motor Brake for Vehicle Emergency Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrostatically driven vehicles, particularly agricultural vehicles, face challenges with complex braking systems that confuse operators and delay response in emergency conditions, leading to reduced safety and comfort due to frequent activation of mechanical braking systems which generate friction and heat, especially when carrying heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A simplified braking system for hydrostatically driven vehicles that integrates an electronic control unit to automatically activate the parking brake as an emergency brake in case of service brake failure, reducing the number of control interfaces and using a single brake pedal for both service and parking braking actions, thereby minimizing friction and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control interfaces (service brake pedal and parking brake hand lever) are provided for braking actions, then the vehicle can provide both service braking and parking braking functions, but the control system complexity increases and operator response time is delayed in emergency conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the service brake pedal and parking brake hand lever into a single control interface. The service brake pedal is designed to perform both service braking and parking braking functions, eliminating the need for a separate parking brake control. This merging of functions reduces control interface complexity while maintaining braking versatility through electronic control unit coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The service brake pedal is designed as a universal control interface that can perform multiple braking functions. By programming the electronic control unit to interpret pedal operations differently based on system state, the single pedal achieves both service braking and parking braking capabilities, making the control system universal rather than requiring separate specialized controls.
2Speed
If mechanical braking systems (disc brake or drum brake) are frequently activated for emergency stopping, then the vehicle can achieve rapid deceleration, but friction and heat generation increase reducing brake performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces frequent mechanical braking with hydrostatic motor braking. The hydrostatic drive unit's motor function is controlled to provide deceleration by reversing the hydraulic flow direction, creating a braking effect without mechanical friction. This substitution eliminates the friction and heat generation associated with traditional mechanical brakes while maintaining rapid deceleration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydrostatic hydraulic system to provide emergency braking. By controlling the hydraulic motor to operate in reverse as a pump, the system converts kinetic energy back into hydraulic pressure, providing effective deceleration without mechanical contact. This hydraulic braking mechanism avoids the friction and heat problems of mechanical disc or drum brakes.
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
Enhances operator comfort and safety by reducing the complexity of braking controls, providing swift response in emergencies, and minimizing wear on braking components, while ensuring safe operation even under heavy loads.
Implementation Method 1
the hydraulic power (pressure) is converted to mechanical power
Implementation Method 2
The amount of hydrostatic pressure generated by the pump determines the amount of torque applied to each wheel
Implementation Method 3
an elastic element biases the brake towards the braking position
Implementation Method 4
a pressurized gas resists the elastic bias
Implementation Method 5
generates friction and heat, particularly when vehicles made heavy by the load they are carrying
Data Source
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AI summary
Hydrostatically driven vehicle (1) comprising a hydrostatic drive unit (4), suitable for propelling the vehicle (1) and for working as a motor brake for exerting a motor braking action; a service brake user interface (5), suitable for receiving a braking request from a user of the vehicle (1); at least one parking brake actuator (6), suitable for exerting a parking braking action; an electronic control unit (7); wherein said service brake user interface (5) is operatively connected to said hydrostatic drive unit (4) to exert said motor braking action as service braking action; said electronic control unit (7) is designed for computing information about the status of the service braking action in order to detect a failure of the service braking action; said at least one parking brake actuator (6) is operatively connected to said electronic control unit (7); said electronic control unit (7) is designed for automatically activating said at least one parking brake actuator (6) as a response to the braking request when said failure of the service braking action is detected, thereby said at least one parking brake actuator (6) acts as emergency brake supply for the hydrostatically driven vehicle (1).