Parking Brake Locking Apparatus Prevents Battery Discharge
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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 discharge the battery when electric power is cut off.
Innovation Solution
A locking apparatus for a parking brake that includes a parking lever, a piston with a piston rod, a solenoid valve, and a locking unit with a control rod and plunger, allowing the system to maintain the locking state without electric power by using hydraulic pressure and restoring forces, ensuring the vehicle remains in shift mode even when the engine is off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric power is supplied to maintain locking state, then the locking state is maintained reliably, but the battery discharges and causes inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the locking state the default condition that does not require power, while the unlocking state requires power input. The normally engaged locking mechanism uses spring force to maintain engagement without power, and only requires power to disengage when needed, thereby eliminating continuous battery discharge while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-maintaining through spring force and mechanical engagement structures. Once engaged, the locking state is maintained automatically without requiring external power input or active control systems, allowing the system to service itself in maintaining the locked state.
2Loss of energy
If electric power is cut off, then battery discharge is prevented, but the brake engages and causes inconvenience in narrow parking areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the power requirement logic: instead of requiring power to maintain locking, the locking state is maintained without power through mechanical spring engagement. Power is only required to unlock when needed, allowing the vehicle to remain in neutral (N shift) without battery discharge while still preventing unintended brake engagement through the mechanical locking structure.
3Loss of energy
If a locking unit is added to maintain state without power, then battery discharge is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power maintenance function from the locking mechanism by using a purely mechanical spring-based engagement system. The locking unit consists of basic mechanical elements (springs, engagement protrusions, and surfaces) that separate the power requirement from the locking function, reducing overall system complexity while achieving power-independent state maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as springs and engagement protrusions that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These basic mechanical elements provide reliable locking without requiring complex electronic control systems, sensors, or expensive power management components.
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 vehicle to maintain the shift mode in an engine-off state without electric power, preventing battery discharge and allowing easy parking in narrow areas, even during engine operation stoppage.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve (600) and a locking unit (400) disposed within the cylinder (300) for locking the piston (200) when the solenoid valve (600) is supplied with electric power
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 seat spring (414) disposed between the plate (412) and the seat (450) for supplying a restoring force to the seat (450)
Implementation Method 4
a piston (200) comprising a piston rod (210) connected to the parking lever (110) and a piston main body (240) disposed within the cylinder (300), and the 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 thereto, 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 and a locking unit disposed within the cylinder for unlocking the piston when the solenoid valve is supplied electric power and for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is not supplied electric power.