Emergency Release Valve Unit for Spring-Loaded Parking Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic brake systems require significant time and manual effort to release the emergency brake pressure after an emergency braking operation, especially in scenarios where power failure or malfunction occurs, making it difficult to restore a roadworthy state.
Innovation Solution
An electropneumatic brake system with an emergency release valve unit that utilizes service brake pressure or a derived pressure to electronically provide an emergency release pressure, independent of the parking brake system, allowing for automatic release of the spring-loaded brake cylinder, even in the absence of the primary control unit or power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to introduce emergency release pressure, then the spring-loaded brake cylinder can be aerated, but the process requires significant time and manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the service brake pressure to automatically generate emergency release pressure through the emergency release valve unit, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The service brake system serves itself to release the parking brake by routing its own pressure through the emergency release valve to the pilot path of the parking brake valve unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The service brake pressure is utilized for dual purposes: normal service braking operations and emergency release of the parking brake system. The emergency release valve unit enables the service brake pressure to perform multiple functions including activating service brakes and releasing parking brakes in emergency situations.
2Reliability
If the parking brake system is used for emergency braking operation, then safe stopping is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to release afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency release valve unit acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the service brake pressure and the parking brake valve unit. It translates service brake pressure into emergency release pressure that acts on the pilot path, enabling indirect control and simplifying the release operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system is segmented into independent functional units: the service brake system and the parking brake system with emergency release capability. The emergency release valve unit provides a separate control path that is independent of the primary parking brake control, allowing the release function to be activated through a different mechanism than the application function.
3Device complexity
If emergency release pressure is introduced without electronic control, then simple equipment is used, but manual effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical operations with electronic control. The electronic emergency release signal actuates the emergency release valve unit, which then automatically manages the pneumatic pressure routing. This substitution of electronic control for manual mechanical operation reduces the perceived complexity while significantly improving ease of operation.
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 reduces manual effort and ensures reliable emergency release pressure application, enabling the vehicle to be moved safely after an emergency braking operation, even during power failures or malfunctions, by using the service brake pressure to activate the emergency release valve unit.
Implementation Method 1
The emergency release valve unit (1) is constructed to receive a service brake pressure which is provided by a service brake system and which is effective for a service brake braking operation or a pressure which is derived from the service brake pressure and in accordance with a received electronic emergency release signal to provide an emergency release pressure at the additional brake pressure connection
Data Source
AI summary
An electropneumatic brake system for a vehicle has a parking brake system having a parking brake valve unit constructed to adjust a parking brake pressure on at least one spring loading connection in accordance with a pilot control pressure. The valve unit has a pilot control unit which in accordance with an electronic parking brake signal adjusts the pilot control pressure on a pilot control path. The parking brake unit has an additional brake pressure connection which is or can be pneumatically connected to the pilot control path to introduce an emergency release pressure. The introduction of the emergency release pressure on the additional brake pressure connection causes the adjustment of the parking brake pressure on at least one spring loading connection. A first control unit is configured to provide the electronic parking brake signal to the valve unit. The electropneumatic brake system can have an emergency release valve unit.