Vehicle Parking Brake Load Balancing for Uniform Pad Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake systems for vehicles often experience uneven load transmission to brake pads, leading to friction pad wear and degraded braking performance due to multiple pistons receiving force from a single actuator.
Innovation Solution
A parking brake apparatus with a load transmission unit that balances the load between multiple pressing units, utilizing a transmission gear section restraint unit to selectively control the rotation of the transmission gear sections, ensuring uniform load distribution and balancing piston sections during braking and release operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple pistons receive driving force from a single actuator, then the braking function is achieved, but the load transmission to brake pads becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing units are divided into first and second pressing units, each with independent piston sections that can be independently controlled. The load transmission unit segments the load path, allowing independent adjustment of load distribution to each pressing unit, thereby achieving uniform load transmission while maintaining the braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transmission unit acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the pressing units. It receives the driving force from the actuator and redistributes it through transmission gear sections to ensure uniform load transmission to both pressing units, resolving the non-uniform load distribution problem.
2Manufacturing precision
If load transmission unit is always engaged, then uniform load distribution is maintained, but braking release time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission gear section restraint unit is designed to be dynamically controllable, switching between engaged and disengaged states. During braking, it is engaged to ensure uniform load distribution; during release, it is disengaged to allow rapid release, thus resolving the contradiction between load uniformity and release speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint unit operates periodically, being engaged during the braking phase to maintain load uniformity and disengaged during the release phase to enable quick release. This periodic engagement and disengagement resolves the contradiction by applying the load balancing function only when necessary.
3Manufacturing precision
If transmission gear section restraint unit is added, then load balancing control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint unit is merged with the existing power transmission section, utilizing the same spatial arrangement and component integration. The restraint unit shares the gear meshing space and is controlled through the existing control system, thereby adding load balancing control while minimizing the increase in device 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 apparatus ensures uniform load distribution to brake pads, preventing uneven wear and enhancing braking performance by transmitting concentrated loads to all pressing units, while allowing for real-time braking release without additional load balancing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a motor section which receives electric power from an outside, and generates power
Implementation Method 2
The small diameter transmission gear and the connection gear section may be formed in the shapes of helical gears
Implementation Method 3
the small diameter transmission gear may move the transmission gear section restraint unit by being moved relative to the connection gear section when being rotated
Implementation Method 4
two friction pads mounted to the piston and the caliper housing are pressed against both surfaces of a disc to restrain the rotation of the disc
Data Source
AI summary
A parking brake apparatus for a vehicle including a motor section receiving electric power from an outside, and generating power; a power transmission section rotated by driving of the motor section; a pair of pressing units receiving power from the power transmission section, and pressing a brake pad; a load transmission unit installed between the pair of pressing units, connected to each of the pair of pressing units, and transmitting a pressing load of any one of the pair of pressing units to the other pressing unit; and a transmission gear section restraint unit selectively restraining driving of the load transmission unit in conjunction with rotation of the power transmission section.