Parking Brake Elastic Member Gap Compensation

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-compressing the elastic member (spring) to store elastic energy before the gap formation occurs. When temperature changes cause gaps between the operating lever and ring connection part, the pre-compressed spring immediately releases stored energy to pull the cable and close the gap, preventing braking force reduction without requiring complex control systems or additional force application mechanisms.

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the elastic member in a compressed state during assembly, creating a ready-to-act mechanism that automatically responds to gap formation. The spring is pre-loaded to exert continuous tension on the cable, ensuring that when gaps appear due to thermal expansion/contraction, the cable is already under tension and can immediately compensate without waiting for additional control actions.

The elastic member serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and regulates force. By pre-compressing the spring within controlled limits, the system stores energy that can be released to close gaps without exceeding safe tension thresholds. The elastic nature of the spring provides inherent force limitation, preventing excessive tension that could damage components while still generating sufficient force to maintain braking effectiveness.

The patent utilizes parameter changes by designing the elastic member with specific mechanical properties (spring constant, pre-compression amount, material characteristics) that automatically adjust the tension force based on gap size. When gaps form, the spring compresses further and releases energy to increase tension; when gaps are closed, the spring returns to its pre-compressed state, automatically regulating the force parameter to prevent excessive tension while maintaining adequate braking force.

The patent applies self-service by designing a mechanism where the elastic member automatically detects and compensates for gaps without external control. The pre-compressed spring continuously exerts tension on the cable, and when temperature changes cause gaps to form, the spring automatically releases energy to pull the cable and close the gap, maintaining braking force without requiring sensors, control units, or manual intervention. This self-regulating mechanism adds minimal complexity while effectively solving the braking force reduction problem.

The patent directly addresses thermal expansion effects by using the elastic member to compensate for dimensional changes in the cable and connection components caused by temperature variations. As components expand or contract with temperature changes, creating gaps between the operating lever and ring connection part, the pre-compressed spring adjusts its compression state to maintain constant cable tension, counteracting the thermal expansion effects and maintaining consistent braking force across different operating temperatures.