Planetary Gear Assembly Force Sensing for Electromechanical Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromechanical service brakes and parking brakes face challenges due to their complex and space-consuming designs, which make it difficult to accurately measure the braking force applied to the brake disc, leading to uncontrolled vehicle movements and inability to integrate them into control loops effectively.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear assembly with a force-sensing device is used to measure the force acting between the held component and the holding unit, allowing for the determination of the holding torque and actual braking force, which is then used to adjust the braking force applied to the brake disc, simplifying the design and manufacture while enabling precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a planetary gear assembly is used in electromechanical service brakes, then the design becomes more compact and space-saving, but it becomes impossible to accurately determine the actual braking force applied to the brake disc
Solution Approach 1:
A force sensing device is introduced as an intermediary element between the planetary gear assembly and the brake disc. This device includes a force transducer that indirectly measures the braking force by detecting the force acting on the brake disc through the planetary gear mechanism, enabling accurate measurement without direct contact that would compromise the compact design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical force measurement with an electronic sensing system. The force transducer converts mechanical force into an electrical signal that can be processed by a control unit, allowing for precise measurement of braking force while maintaining the compact planetary gear design
2Device complexity
If wear of friction lining and brake disc is not monitored, then the brake design remains simple, but uncontrolled vehicle movements occur during braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the force sensing device continuously monitors the actual braking force and feeds this information back to a control unit. The control unit compares the measured force with the desired braking force and adjusts the electronic drive unit accordingly, ensuring reliable braking control even as friction lining and brake disc wear over time
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensing device serves multiple functions: it measures braking force, monitors wear of friction lining and brake disc, and provides feedback for control adjustments. This multi-functionality addresses reliability concerns without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Reliability
If hydraulic systems are replaced with electromechanical brakes, then operational safety improves by eliminating brake hose failures, but the ability to accurately control and measure braking force is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic force transmission system with an electromechanical system that incorporates electronic sensing. The force transducer in the planetary gear assembly provides direct electronic measurement of braking force, enabling both the reliability benefits of eliminating hydraulic systems and the measurement precision needed for controlled braking
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 provides a simple, space-saving design for electromechanical brakes and parking brakes, allowing for accurate measurement and control of braking force, reducing the risk of uncontrolled vehicle movements and enabling integration into safety systems.
Implementation Method 1
The force transducer is implemented in the form of a spring body force transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gear assembly, in particular for an electromechanical service or parking brake for a motor vehicle. The planetary gear assembly can include a central sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted on a planetary carrier, and a ring gear enclosing the planetary gears. The planetary gears can be mounted by the planetary carrier, such that the planetary gears roll off both the sun gear and the ring gear, whereby the sun gear, the planetary carrier or the ring gear is non-rotatably held by a holding unit with a holding torque. A force-sensing device can be arranged between the holding unit and the non-rotatably held element, or between the holding unit and an intermediate component non-rotatably connected to the held component. The force-sensing device can measure the force acting between the held component and the holding unit as a result of the holding torque.