Rail Vehicle Parking Brake Emergency Release Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake systems for rail vehicles face safety risks and operational inefficiencies due to the need for manual actuation of emergency release devices, which can be inaccessible and require operators to leave their stations, leading to downtime and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electric actuator with the emergency release device allows for remote activation via cable or radio signals, providing mechanized emergency release processes and increased safety, with optional manual actuation via a handle for redundancy, enabling flexible installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emergency release device is actuated manually via a power transmission element on the outside of the rail vehicle, then the parking brake can be released in case of malfunction, but the operator faces safety risks and the device may be inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an automated electrical actuation system. An electric actuator is integrated into the parking brake cylinder to automatically release the parking brake when a malfunction is detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention and the associated safety risks for operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking brake system performs self-diagnosis and self-release when a malfunction is detected. The control unit monitors the system state and automatically activates the electric actuator to release the brake, enabling the system to service itself without external intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the emergency release device is relocated to the interior of the rail vehicle, then accessibility is improved, but the design and guidance of the force transmission member becomes complex due to relative movements between chassis and car body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical force transmission member by using an electric actuator directly integrated into the parking brake cylinder. This electrical actuation system avoids the complexity of mechanical linkages that would be required to accommodate relative movements between the chassis and car body.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric actuator is merged with the parking brake cylinder, combining the actuation mechanism and the brake assembly into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate force transmission members and simplifies the overall system design.
3Reliability
If an operator must leave the control station to manually actuate the emergency release device, then the brake can be released, but time is lost causing timetable deviations in driverless transport systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects malfunctions and performs self-release without requiring operator intervention. The control unit continuously monitors the parking brake system and automatically activates the electric actuator when a malfunction is detected, eliminating the time loss associated with manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical actuation process is replaced with an automated electrical actuation system controlled by a microprocessor-based control unit. This automated system detects and responds to malfunctions instantaneously, eliminating the time required for operators to physically reach and actuate the emergency release device.
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
Enhances safety and reduces downtime by allowing remote activation of the emergency release device, increasing availability and flexibility in installation, and providing redundancy for improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an electric actuator (8) connected to at least one first force transmission element (6) of the at least one emergency release device (5)
Implementation Method 2
compressed air acting on and preloading a spring located in the parking brake cylinder escapes from an air chamber of the parking brake cylinder, i.e. the pressure in the parking brake cylinder is reduced, due to the reduced pressure the preload of the spring decreases and the spring relaxes
Implementation Method 3
the friction element is applied to the friction partner. In this way, the rail vehicle is secured against rolling and slipping on a track
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a parking brake for the chassis of a rail vehicle, wherein the parking brake comprises at least one force generation unit (1), at least one force transmission unit (2), at least one friction element (3), at least one friction partner (4), and at least one emergency release device (5) with at least one first force transmission element (6). To create advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that an electrical actuator (8) be connected to at least the first force transmission element (6) of the at least one emergency release device (5), and that the emergency release device (5) have at least one second force transmission element (7) connected to a handle (45). This enables remote activation of the emergency release device (5) as well as mechanized emergency release operations.Consequently, safety is increased, as the activation of the emergency release device (5) does not require the presence of an operator outside the rail vehicle.