Electric Release Bolt Control for Air-Loss Parking Brake Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trucks and buses require manual operation of a release bolt for parking brakes when air pressure is lost, which is time-consuming and potentially dangerous, especially if the vehicle starts rolling.
Innovation Solution
An electrically controllable release bolt for parking brake actuators that adjusts the compression state of the parking brake spring based on detected requests or conditions, using processing circuitry to determine activation states and control the bolt electronically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation of release bolt is used for parking brake release, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of the release bolt with an electric motor-driven system. The electrically controllable release bolt automatically adjusts the compression state of the parking brake spring based on control signals, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving productivity while maintaining acceptable system complexity through standardized motor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the parking brake release process is automatically executed by the electrically controllable release bolt without requiring driver intervention. The control system monitors brake spring compression state and autonomously adjusts it, improving both productivity and safety by removing the need for the driver to physically access and manually operate release bolts.
2Reliability
If manual release bolt operation is required, then device complexity is minimized, but safety deteriorates due to vehicle rolling risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors monitor the compression state of the parking brake spring and provide real-time data to the control unit. The control unit continuously adjusts the electrically controllable release bolt based on this feedback, ensuring precise control over the brake release process and maintaining vehicle stability throughout operation, thereby significantly improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the brake spring compression state before initiating release bolt operation. The control unit evaluates current conditions and prepares the electrically controllable release bolt for optimal operation, ensuring that brake release occurs under controlled conditions that prevent vehicle rolling and enhance safety.
3Productivity
If electrically controllable release bolt is implemented, then productivity improves through automated operation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically controllable release bolt is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a brake release mechanism and a brake application mechanism. The same motor-driven assembly can bidirectionally adjust the parking brake spring compression state, eliminating the need for separate manual release bolt and brake application mechanisms, thereby improving productivity while limiting the increase in device complexity through component consolidation.
4Ease of operation
If manual driver intervention is required for release bolt operation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor-driven system that can be controlled from the driver's seat or automated through control signals. This substitution dramatically improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for the driver to physically exit the vehicle and manually manipulate release bolts, while the use of standardized electric components keeps the added system complexity manageable.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~3
AI summary
A computer system (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to control an electrically controllable release bolt (13) of a parking brake actuator (10) of a vehicle (1) is provided. The electrically controllable release bolt (13) adjusts a compression of a parking brake spring (11) of the parking brake actuator (10). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to determine an activation state for the electrically controllable release bolt (13) based on a pressure status of an air-pressure supply (40) of the parking brake actuator (10) and/or based on a input. When the electrically controllable release bolt (13) is active and in response to detecting a parking brake request or parking brake release request, the processing circuitry (602) is configured to control or to adjust the electrically controllable release bolt (13) to adjust a compression of the parking brake spring (11) based on the detected parking brake request or parking brake release request.