Parking Brake Caliper Control for Failure-Tolerant Braking Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parking brake systems lack sufficient safety and reliability, especially when unattended, and are cumbersome due to complex cabling, which increases the risk of accidents and maintenance costs, particularly for vehicles with low production volumes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing at least three brake calipers associated with vehicle axles, with a detection device and control unit that dynamically adjusts actuation based on vehicle status, allowing for intelligent actuation logic and reduced electric wiring, including the use of auxiliary calipers for increased braking torque and modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an electromechanically- or electrohydraulically-implemented parking brake is provided, then the braking torque can be increased, but the system becomes unsuitable for ensuring functionality in failure conditions and requires cumbersome cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake system is divided into multiple independent brake calipers (at least three) that can be selectively actuated. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one caliper fails, as the remaining calipers can still provide braking force. The control unit independently manages each caliper based on detected vehicle status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the actuation parameters of brake calipers based on detected vehicle status. The control unit adjusts which calipers are actuated and with what force, dynamically adapting the braking configuration to current conditions, thereby optimizing both braking torque and reliability in different scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If electric parking brake systems with actuation devices are implemented, then braking control is improved, but the system requires cumbersome cabling for current flow and isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit and detection device are integrated into a unified control system that manages multiple brake calipers through a single control architecture. This merging reduces the need for separate cabling for each caliper and simplifies the overall electrical infrastructure while maintaining precise braking control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it detects vehicle status, processes detection data, determines which calipers to actuate, and controls the actuation of multiple brake calipers through a single device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems and their associated cabling.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2b~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for actuating a parking brake system of a vehicle (12) comprising at least three brake calipers (20, 21) associated with one or more axles (14, 15, 16) of the vehicle, comprising the following steps: -providing at least one device (26, 126, 226) for detecting the vehicle status; -acquiring a value (R) of the vehicle status, or detected value (R), with said detection device (26, 126, 226); -comparing the detected value (R) with a reference value (Rref) of the vehicle status, or reference value (Rref), and alternatively proceeding with one of the following options: -if the detected value (R) is less than the reference value (Rref), actuating two brake calipers (20) of the at least three brake calipers (20, 21); or -if the detected value (R) is equal to or greater than the reference value (Rref), actuating all the at least three brake calipers (20, 21).