Electro-Actuated Parking Brake Calipers With Unified Motor Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric park brake systems face challenges in controlling electro-actuated calipers with multiple electric motors, leading to complex and economically disadvantageous setups, and issues with asymmetrical loads on brake calipers, which affect the parking braking action.
Innovation Solution
A parking-braking assembly that includes an electronic device for selecting and routing electrical signals to actuate electro-actuated brake calipers with two or more electric motors, using a single electronic control unit to manage the motors and prevent skewing of brake pads, allowing for more uniform piston advancement and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated electronic control unit with separate power electronic circuits is used for each electric motor in electro-actuated calipers, then reliable control of multiple motors is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple electric motors into a single electronic control unit with a unified power electronic circuit. The control unit receives a single control signal and distributes it to multiple motors through internal switching mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate control units and power circuits for each motor. This reduces device complexity while maintaining control reliability through centralized management of all motors in the caliper assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle control signals for multiple electric motors simultaneously. The power electronic circuit incorporates switching elements that can route control signals to any combination of motors, allowing a single control unit to perform the functions previously requiring multiple dedicated control units. This universal control approach reduces overall system complexity while ensuring reliable motor control.
2Reliability
If multiple electric motors are used in each brake caliper for parking brake actuation, then parking braking performance is improved, but asymmetrical loads cause brake pad skewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differential control of multiple electric motors within the same caliper, where each motor can be independently controlled to apply different forces. The electronic control unit adjusts the activation timing and duration of individual motors based on detected load conditions, ensuring that motors operating under higher load are deactivated sooner to prevent excessive force application. This local quality control prevents asymmetrical loads and maintains brake pad alignment while preserving the performance benefits of multiple motors.
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate brake calipers are used for service braking and parking braking, then parking brake energy requirements are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the brake caliper assembly with multi-functionality, where the same caliper structure and brake pads serve both service braking and parking braking functions. Electric motors are integrated into the service brake caliper to provide additional parking brake actuation capability. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated parking brake calipers, reducing device complexity and component count while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of electric motor actuation for parking brake applications.
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 solution enables efficient control of electro-actuated calipers with multiple motors, improving parking braking action, enhancing safety for off-road vehicles, reducing parking force requirements, and minimizing unsprung weight by allowing parking on uneven slopes and resizing the brake assembly.
Implementation Method 1
electro-actuated brake calipers, i.e. operated by electric motors dedicated to the parking brake function
Implementation Method 2
the pistons which apply a bias on the respective pads, which abut on brake disc braking surfaces associated with the wheel of the motorcar and, consequently, stop its movement
Data Source
AI summary
A parking-braking assembly of a motor vehicle is provided. The parking-braking assembly has at least one first brake caliper associated with a wheel of the rear axle of the vehicle and at least one further first brake caliper associated with a wheel of the front axle of the vehicle. All brake calipers of the parking-braking assembly are electro-actuated brake calipers to avoid hydraulic braking devices and circuits on the vehicle. The at least one first brake caliper and the at least one further first brake caliper are at least also parking brake calipers.