Spring-Loaded Locking Actuator for Fast Brake Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking actuators for electric parking brakes have long reaction times, which delay the release of the parking brake when transitioning from a locked to an unlocked state, and there is a need for a more compact, reliable, and robust solution to enhance the switching behavior and reduce complexity in vehicle braking systems.
Innovation Solution
A locking actuator design featuring a housing with a movable carriage and locking bar that utilizes a drivable actuator gear and spring-loaded counteracting springs to achieve fast switching between open and locked positions, allowing for freewheeling in one direction and locking in another, with a compact and self-locking mechanism to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking actuator is used for electric parking brakes, then the brake can be reliably locked, but the reaction time for releasing the brake is long
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is made dynamically responsive through spring-loaded mounting that allows it to quickly follow the carriage's movement. The spring mechanism enables the locking bar to rapidly engage or disengage from the gear part's locking surface, reducing the reaction time while maintaining reliable locking through the spring force that ensures positive engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking actuator is segmented into independently controllable components: the carriage that moves along the locking path and the locking bar that performs the actual locking engagement. This segmentation allows the carriage to position itself while the locking bar independently engages or disengages, enabling faster response times without compromising locking reliability.
2Device complexity
If the locking bar is rigidly fixed to the carriage, then the structure is simple, but the locking bar cannot compensate for position variations and may cause binding
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is mounted resiliently on the carriage, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the carriage. This dynamic mounting enables the locking bar to compensate for variations in the gear part's position or dimensional tolerances, ensuring reliable engagement without binding while maintaining relatively simple structure.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact locking mechanism is used to save space, then the installation footprint is reduced, but the mechanism may become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar's resilient mounting and compensating movement capability are integrated directly into the carriage structure. The spring-loaded mounting combines positioning and compensation functions in a single integrated component, achieving compact dimensions without significantly increasing mechanism complexity.
4Speed
If the locking bar is made resiliently mounted, then the switching behavior is faster, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient mounting of the locking bar introduces dynamic capability that enables fast switching between locked and unlocked states. The spring-loaded configuration allows the locking bar to quickly respond to carriage movement and rapidly engage or disengage from the gear part, achieving high switching speed with minimal additional structural complexity.
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 solution significantly reduces reaction times and enhances the switching behavior of the locking actuator, providing a reliable and compact design that improves the efficiency and reliability of electric service brakes in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the locking bar on the carriage is held movably and resiliently in the axis
Implementation Method 2
The carriage is movable along a locking path by a drivable actuator gear between an open position and a locked position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking actuator (2), in particular for a gearbox (1) of an electric parking and/or service brake, comprising a housing (10), a slide (20) movable relative to the housing (10) in an axis (L) with a locking bolt (40), wherein the slide (20) is movable between an open position and a locked position along a locking path by means of a driven actuator gearbox (60), and wherein the locking bolt (40) is movably and resiliently held on the slide (20) in the axis (L). The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a locking actuator, a gearbox, and a service and/or parking brake.