SAHR Brake Hydraulic Release Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
SAHR vehicle brakes can apply suddenly and without warning in the event of an electrical failure, leading to potential accidents, and there is a need for safe, controlled application and release of the brake, especially when the vehicle is moving or stationary with an incline.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic release valve that locks into a one-way configuration during electrical failures, combined with a manual actuator and redundant valving, allows controlled application and release of the brake, preventing sudden engagement while enabling operator control and ensuring safety during electrical faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SAHR brake uses a spring-biased design for failure safety, then the brake automatically applies when electrical system fails, but this causes sudden brake application without warning that can lead to accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting electrical system failures before they cause sudden brake application. The control circuit monitors the electrical system status and proactively manages the brake state, transitioning from passive spring-biased automatic application to active controlled response based on detected failure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit establishes feedback by continuously monitoring electrical system parameters and using this information to adjust brake control. The system receives feedback about electrical system status and responds by controlling the hydraulic release valve to prevent harmful sudden brake application while maintaining failure safety
2Ease of operation
If the hydraulic release valve is controlled by electrical system, then the brake can be released under normal operation, but electrical failure causes loss of control and sudden brake application
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit provides beforehand cushioning by detecting electrical system degradation or failure conditions before they result in complete loss of control. The system prepares for potential failure by monitoring electrical parameters and can transition to a safe controlled state, cushioning against the harmful effect of sudden brake application
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the electrical system and the hydraulic release valve. Rather than allowing direct electrical control that fails completely when power is lost, the control circuit mediates by monitoring electrical status and making informed decisions about valve control, preventing total loss of control during electrical failure
3Speed
If the brake elements are kept separated during vehicle motion, then the vehicle can move freely, but electrical failure may cause unintended engagement and accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by monitoring electrical system status during vehicle motion and proactively preventing unintended brake engagement. The control circuit detects electrical failures before they can cause harmful brake application and takes preventive control actions to maintain safe brake element separation during vehicle operation
4Ease of operation
If a manual actuator is added for emergency brake application, then operator control is restored during electrical failure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit provides multi-functionality by serving both as an electrical control system during normal operation and as a monitoring/protection system during electrical failure. The same control circuit that manages normal brake release also detects failures and prevents harmful actions, eliminating the need for separate manual actuation mechanisms while restoring operator control capability
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
Prevents sudden brake application during electrical failures, allowing controlled operation and ensuring safety by maintaining brake separation during vehicle motion and enabling manual override for safe application and release.
Implementation Method 1
A resiliently deformable member such as a coil spring acts on the second element or on a member connected thereto in order to bias it into engagement with the first brake element
Implementation Method 2
The second brake element includes or is connected to a piston in a chamber having a connection to a hydraulic control circuit that is capable of applying pressure to the piston and hence indirectly to the second brake element itself
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic release valve includes a biasser that exclusively controls the position of the hydraulic release valve in the event of an electrical control failure
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A vehicle (10) includes a spring-applied hydraulic release (SAHR) vehicle brake (11) comprising first (12) and second (13) mutually engageable brake elements. The first brake element (12) is secured to or forms part of a rotatable element and the second (13) is non-rotatably moveably mounted. Mutual engagement of the brake elements (12, 13) causes braking of rotation of the rotatable element, and the SAHR vehicle brake (11) includes (i) a resiliently deformable member (19) acting on the second brake element (13) so as to urge the brake elements (12, 13) into mutual engagement and (ii) a hydraulic control circuit for applying hydraulic pressure to the second brake element (13) so as to oppose the action of the resiliently deformable member (19). The vehicle (10) includes a fail-safe comprising a hydraulic release valve (23) that allows mutual engagement of the first and second brake elements (12, 13).