Parking Brake Locking Apparatus Without Continuous Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking brake systems require electric power to maintain the locking state, leading to inconvenience, especially in narrow parking areas, as they fail to operate in an engine-off state without power supply.
Innovation Solution
A locking apparatus for a parking brake that includes a parking lever, a piston with a piston rod, a solenoid valve, and an emergency parking device, which allows the system to maintain the parking or releasing state even without electric power, using a locking unit with a control rod and plunger spring mechanism, and an emergency parking device with an operating link and releasing cable to forcibly move the piston.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric power is supplied to maintain locking state, then locking reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery discharge occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit automatically maintains the locking state without requiring continuous electric power supply. The system uses the existing hydraulic pressure and mechanical structures to sustain the locked position, eliminating the need for power-consuming holding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electric power-dependent holding mechanism with a hydraulic-mechanical locking system. The locking unit utilizes hydraulic pressure and mechanical interlocking structures to maintain the locked state, substituting electronic control with hydraulic-mechanical means that do not require continuous power.
2Speed
If solenoid valve capacity is increased to improve response speed, then parking operation speed is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the solenoid valve operation based on the actual parking requirements and hydraulic system conditions. The valve operates only when needed to initiate parking or release, rather than requiring high capacity for continuous operation, optimizing the balance between response speed and component size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic system's inherent pressure and flow characteristics to achieve rapid parking operation. The hydraulic circuit is designed to provide sufficient flow rate and pressure for quick piston movement, reducing the burden on the solenoid valve size while maintaining fast response.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical parking is released by hydraulic pressure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases when electric power is cut off
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is designed with a mechanical locking mechanism that engages beforehand to secure the parking state. This pre-established mechanical lock provides a backup that ensures reliability even when electric power is unavailable, cushioning against the failure mode of power-dependent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit serves multiple functions: it assists the hydraulic system during normal operation and independently maintains the locking state when power is cut off. This multi-functionality ensures both ease of operation under normal conditions and reliability in emergency power-loss scenarios.
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
Enables the parking brake to maintain the shift mode in an engine-off state without electric power, reducing the solenoid valve's capacity and size, and allows easy parking in narrow areas, preventing battery discharge and ensuring the locking state is maintained even in emergency conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve (600)
Implementation Method 2
a plunger spring (555) supplying a restoring force to the plunger (550) for the plunger (550) to be moved when the electric power supplied to the solenoid valve (600) is cut off
Implementation Method 3
a piston (200) movable along length direction of the cylinder (300) according to supplying or releasing of oil through the oil hole (310)
Data Source
AI summary
A locking apparatus for a parking brake includes a parking lever, a parking lever spring applying a restoring force to the parking lever, a cylinder of which an oil hole is formed therein, a piston comprising a piston rod connected to the parking lever and a piston main body disposed within the cylinder, and the piston movable along length direction of the cylinder according to supplying or releasing of oil through the oil hole, a solenoid valve, a locking unit disposed within the cylinder for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is supplied electric power and for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is not supplied electric power and an emergency parking device which is connected to the locking unit and selectively forcibly moves the locking unit.