Redundant Motor Brush Layout for Brake and Steering Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is an ongoing need to improve the safety and security of electrically activated/assisted brake and steering systems, while also reducing wear on components and providing redundancy in case of failures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a brake or steering system with an electromotor arrangement that includes a rotatably mounted shaft, a pair of brushes, a commutator assembly, a coil assembly, and at least one permanent magnet. This arrangement provides redundancy with a second pair of brushes and controllers, allowing for parallel or independent energization of the brushes and commutators, which reduces wear and enhances safety by enabling continued operation even if one component fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single brush is used in the electromotor arrangement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases because there is no redundancy in case of brush failure
Solution Approach 1:
The brush system is segmented into a first brush and a second brush, where each brush can independently provide electrical connection to the commutator. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one brush fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete system redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a second brush as a backup before the first brush fails. The controller is configured to detect brush wear or failure and switch to the remaining functional brush, cushioning against the harmful effect of complete system failure and extending operational life.
2Reliability
If redundant components are added to the electromotor arrangement, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second brush is designed with the same structure and function as the first brush, allowing it to universally perform the electrical connection function. This multi-functionality approach enables the redundant component to integrate seamlessly into the existing system without requiring complex specialized designs, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a second brush that is identical to the first brush. This simple copying strategy provides redundancy without the need for complex alternative designs, maintaining ease of manufacture and assembly while improving system reliability and safety.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a single brush is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the component wear leads to shorter system lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the system to continue operation with one brush after the other brush wears out or fails. The controller detects the reduced brush contact and adjusts operation accordingly, effectively recovering partial functionality and extending the system's operational lifetime beyond what a single brush could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to tolerate partial action from the brush system - it can function with only one of the two brushes providing full electrical connection. This partial operation capability extends system lifetime without requiring complete redundancy, balancing manufacturing simplicity with extended durability.
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 redundant components in the electromotor arrangement improve the safety and security of brake and steering systems by ensuring continued operation in case of failures, while also reducing wear on components, thereby extending the system's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permanent magnet cooperating with the coil assembly to provide a rotational movement of the shaft when the coil assembly is energized
Implementation Method 2
the commutator assembly being in contact with the first pair of brushes and the second pair of brushes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a brake or steering system including an actuator (6, 7), and an electromotor arrangement (10) comprising a rotatably mounted shaft (12) for driving the actuator (6, 7), a first pair of brushes (14), a second pair of brushes (16), a commutator assembly (21, 22, 24) arranged on the shaft, the commutator assembly being in contact with the first pair of brushes (14) and the second pair of brushes (16), a coil assembly (30) electrically connected to the commutator (21, 22, 24) assembly, and at least one permanent magnet cooperating with the coil assembly (30) to provide a rotational movement of the shaft (12) when the coil assembly (30) is energized.