Electromechanical Parking Brake Anti-Tamper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical parking brakes are vulnerable to theft protection circumvention, as unauthorized users can easily reverse the polarity of the voltage supply or apply voltage to cancel the brake actuation, lacking effective measures to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The electromechanical parking brake incorporates an actuating element with an integrated electrical actuating unit, protected from external access, and a central control unit that monitors the supply line for unauthorized manipulation, using a control line with a monitoring signal to detect and prevent tampering, and triggers an alarm or notification upon detection, ensuring only authorized users can cancel the brake actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the parking brake uses a simple electrical supply line for the actuating element, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of theft protection deteriorates because unauthorized users can easily reverse polarity or apply voltage to cancel brake actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrical control unit as an intermediary between the central control unit and the actuating element. This control unit receives control signals via a control line and manages the supply to the actuating element, thereby preventing unauthorized users from directly applying voltage or reversing polarity at the actuating element. The intermediary blocks unauthorized access while maintaining legitimate control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical control system into distinct functional units: a central control unit, an electrical control unit (relay/electronic switch), and the actuating element. This segmentation isolates the vulnerable actuating element from direct external access by interposing the electrical control unit, which can be protected from external manipulation while maintaining the simplicity of the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If the parking brake incorporates an electrical control unit and monitoring system to prevent theft, then the reliability of theft protection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control lines, monitoring signals, and protected structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical control unit with the actuating element into a single protected structure or housing. This integration reduces the number of separate components and connection points that require protection, while still providing the necessary control and monitoring functions. The merged design simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having completely separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The control line serves multiple functions: it transmits control signals from the central control unit to the electrical control unit, and simultaneously serves as a monitoring line for detecting manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring lines, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable theft protection.
3Ease of operation
If the actuating element is made accessible for manual operation, then the ease of operation is improved for authorized users, but the reliability of theft protection deteriorates because unauthorized users can access and manipulate the actuating element
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical control unit acts as an intermediary that mediates between the actuating element and external access. Authorized users can operate the brake through the control system (central control unit receiving authorization signals), while unauthorized users cannot directly access or manipulate the actuating element because the electrical control unit blocks direct electrical access and can detect manipulation attempts.
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 effectively prevents unauthorized cancellation of the brake actuation, enhancing vehicle security by detecting and responding to potential theft attempts, thereby securing the vehicle effectively against theft.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical actuating unit for interrupting the supply of the actuating element
Implementation Method 2
The control line has two wires; both wires are isolated from one another over the course of the control line, but are electrically conductively connected to one another within the electrical control unit
Implementation Method 3
Monitoring of the control line is used to detect any manipulation of the control line
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electromechanical parking brake for a motor vehicle having an activation element for activating a wheel brake and a central control unit for supplying electricity to the activation element via at least one supply line. The activation element, along with an electrical actuator for interrupting the supply to the activation element, is disposed on the motor vehicle so as to be protected from outside manual intervention, said electrical actuator being connected to the central control unit via a control line. The electrical actuator may be actuated by the central control unit via the control line in order to cause an interruption in the power supply to the activation element, and the control line may be monitored by the central control unit in order to detect a manipulation of the control line.