Electric Parking Brake Load Control for Uniform Piston Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric parking brake systems with multiple pistons face issues of non-uniform load transmission due to initial position asymmetry, leading to uneven brake pad wear, gear wear, and motor overload, which complicates parking performance and increases weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
An electric parking brake design that uses a single actuator to apply a uniform load to multiple pistons through a load control mechanism, converting rotational motion into linear motion and utilizing a thrust bearing for axial force support, ensuring equal pressure on brake pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to transmit power to multiple pistons, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but load distribution becomes non-uniform due to piston initial position asymmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric load control portion with different pressing forces for each piston, compensating for the asymmetric initial positions of the pistons. This deliberate asymmetry in the load control mechanism balances the overall load distribution, resolving the contradiction between using a single actuator and achieving uniform load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The load control portion adjusts the pressing force parameters differently for each piston based on their initial positions. By dynamically changing the force parameters, the system achieves uniform load distribution despite using a single actuator, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and load uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are provided to transmit power to each piston separately, then load distribution uniformity is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple actuators into a single actuator by introducing a load control portion that differentially distributes force to each piston. This consolidation reduces the number of actuators and overall weight while maintaining uniform load distribution through the load control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating the load control portion that can independently adjust force distribution to each piston. This universal design allows one actuator to perform the work of multiple actuators while maintaining load uniformity, thus reducing weight and complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single actuator transmits power to multiple pistons, then cost is reduced, but uneven wear of brake pads and gears occurs due to asymmetric load
Solution Approach 1:
The load control portion is designed with asymmetric pressing capabilities to compensate for the asymmetric initial positions of the pistons. This deliberate asymmetric design in the load control mechanism ensures symmetric load distribution, preventing uneven wear of brake pads and gears while maintaining cost-effectiveness with a single actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The load control portion acts as a feedback mechanism that monitors and adjusts the force distribution to each piston based on their positions. This feedback ensures uniform load application and prevents uneven wear, maintaining reliability while using a cost-effective single actuator configuration.
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 achieves stable and uniform braking performance by ensuring equal load distribution across pistons, reducing wear and motor overload, while minimizing weight and cost, and enhancing design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the load control portion and the thrust bearing may be in curved surface contact with each other by means of a curved surface contacting means
Implementation Method 2
an actuator configured to transmit power to the pair of pressing portions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein an electric parking brake includes a pair of pressing portions provided in a caliper housing to convert rotational motion into linear motion to press a brake pad; an actuator configured to transmit power to the pair of pressing portions; and a load control portion provided rotatably between the pair of pressing portions and the actuator, the load control portion applying a uniform load to the pair of pressing portions by pressing any one of the pair of pressing portions that generates a less load during braking operation.