Stepped Piston Brake Apparatus for Rapid Pressure Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake apparatuses rely on high-pressure hydraulic sources to achieve high responsiveness, which is costly and inefficient, particularly in emergency braking situations where rapid pressure increase is required.
Innovation Solution
A brake apparatus with a stepped piston configuration and controlled fluid supply to pressure chambers, allowing increased brake fluid supply to the second pressure chamber during high responsiveness requests, enhancing the responsiveness of pressure increase without relying on pump discharge capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high-pressure hydraulic source is used to achieve high responsiveness in pressure increase, then the responsiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is divided into multiple diameter portions (first diameter, intermediate diameter, second diameter) creating distinct pressure chambers. This segmentation allows different brake fluid supply amounts to be directed to different chambers, enabling rapid pressure increase in the second pressure chamber without requiring a high-pressure hydraulic source for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different fluid supply strategies to different locations (pressure chambers). The second pressure chamber receives increased brake fluid supply specifically when rapid pressure increase is needed, while the first pressure chamber operates under normal control. This localized quality change achieves high responsiveness where needed without system-wide complexity.
2Speed
If the brake fluid supply amount to the second pressure chamber is increased during pressure increase requests, then the responsiveness is improved, but the fluid control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake fluid supply amount to the second pressure chamber is dynamically adjusted based on the detected state. The control device increases the supply amount specifically when a pressure increase request requiring high responsiveness is detected, and returns to normal supply when the request is no longer active. This dynamic adaptation achieves high responsiveness on demand without permanent system complexity.
3Power
If a pump with high discharge capability is used, then the pressure increase responsiveness is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the piston into different diameter portions and creating separate pressure chambers, the system can achieve high pressure increase capability by directing increased fluid supply to the second pressure chamber with the smaller piston area, rather than requiring a large-capacity pump for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of brake fluid supply amount dynamically based on operational needs. During normal operation, standard supply is maintained. When rapid pressure increase is required, the supply amount to the second pressure chamber is increased, achieving high power output temporarily without requiring a permanently oversized pump.
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 solution ensures sufficient brake fluid supply during high responsiveness requests, improving braking pressure responsiveness and reducing the need for large, costly pump components.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure chamber configured to act on between the first diameter and the intermediate-diameter portion, and a second pressure chamber configured to act on between the intermediate-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion
Data Source
AI summary
A brake apparatus includes a brake operation member, a state detection unit, a cylinder, a first portion, an operation rod, a stepped piston, first, second, and third seal members, first and second pressure chambers, a hydraulic source, and first and second oil passages. The brake apparatus also includes a fluid amount control unit. The fluid amount control unit is configured to control an amount of the brake fluid to be supplied to the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. The fluid amount control unit is also configured to increase the amount of the brake fluid to be supplied to the second pressure chamber when the detected state is equal to a preset pressure increase request.