Parking Brake Emergency Release via External Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake devices with emergency release functions have a high probability of failing to release the parking brake when a pipe burst occurs in the first parking brake circuit, due to the rare usage of the secondary brake circuit leading to valve component sticking and inaccessibility.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves connecting the vent connection of the second electropneumatic locking circuit to an external compressed air source and regularly testing the second parking brake circuit to maintain its operability, ensuring that the spring brake cylinders can be ventilated and the parking brake released even without internal compressed air or electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second parking brake circuit is used rarely for emergency release only, then the primary brake circuit remains simple, but the valve device becomes inoperable due to lack of use
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically activates the second parking brake circuit at predetermined intervals to perform test cycles. This periodic operation maintains valve mobility and operational readiness without requiring structural changes to the brake circuit system. The test cycles are brief and automatic, preserving system simplicity while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If test cycles are performed regularly to maintain valve operability, then the emergency release function remains reliable, but additional control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously manages test cycle execution without requiring external input or complex control logic. It monitors the second circuit's status, automatically initiates test cycles at predetermined intervals or when inactivity is detected, and deactivates the circuit after testing. This self-managing approach minimizes control complexity while ensuring valve operability.
3Ease of operation
If the vent connection is connected to the compressed air reservoir, then the parking brake can be released using stored air, but the system fails when the reservoir is pressureless
Solution Approach 1:
The vent connection of the second control valve device is designed to accept multiple air sources: it can connect to the vehicle's compressed air reservoir for normal operation and to an external compressed air source for emergency situations. This multi-functional connection ensures the parking brake can be released regardless of the reservoir's pressure status, enhancing both ease of operation and reliability.
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 significantly reduces the probability of the parking brake being stuck in the engaged position, enhancing road safety by ensuring the parking brake can be released in emergency situations, even with pressureless storage tanks or electrical failures.
Implementation Method 1
the vent connection of the second control valve device is connected to a compressed air line which ends at an outer region of the vehicle via which compressed air from an external compressed air source independently of compressed air reservoirs of the parking brake device can be supplied to the spring brake cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a parking brake device (10) of a vehicle, especially a utility vehicle, with an emergency release function, comprising at least one spring brake cylinder (11) for releasing or engaging a parking brake and a first electro-pneumatic parking brake circuit (14) with a first compressed air storage tank (16) and a first valve control device (17) for aerating or deaerating the spring brake cylinder (11). A second electro-pneumatic parking brake circuit (15) for emergency release of the parking brake in the event of failure of the first parking brake circuit (14) is further provided, which comprises a second compressed air storage tank (38) and a second valve control device (40) for aerating the spring brake cylinder (11) in the event of an emergency release. The second valve control device (40) comprises an aeration connection (41) connected to the second compressed air storage tank (38), a deaeration connection (45) that can be connected to the atmosphere and a third connection (42) that can be connected to the spring brake cylinder (11). According to a first aspect of the invention and in order to improve the releasability of the parking brake device in the event of an emergency release, the deaeration connection (45) of the second valve control device (40) is connected to a compressed air line (46) which terminates at an outer region of the vehicle, wherein compressed air can be fed in this compressed air line (46) from an external compressed air source (48) to the spring brake cylinder (11) via the deaeration connection (45) and the third connection (42) of the second valve control device (40). According to a second aspect of the invention, a control device (27) for controlling at least the second valve control device (40) is provided and configured in such a manner that the second valve control device (40) can be actuated for test purposes and independently from an emergency in order to activate the second parking brake circuit (15). The invention also relates to corresponding methods for operating such a parking brake device.