Three-State Venting Valve for Safe Parking Brake Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electropneumatic brake control systems for vehicles fail to ensure safe parking in the event of a power failure, as they either retain the parking brake engaged or release it inadvertently due to complex and costly valve designs.

Innovation Solution

A venting valve with three states is introduced, allowing for controlled venting of the control input of the air volume-boosting valve device, enabling slow engagement or sudden release of the parking brake, ensuring safe parking even without a power supply. This is achieved through a double armature solenoid valve design with a primary and secondary armature, actuated by a single magnetic coil, reducing complexity and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bistable valve is used to control parking brake pressure, then the valve can retain its state during power failure, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking brake safety during power failureVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into two separate armatures (first and second armatures) that can be independently actuated by a single coil, allowing each armature to control different pressure pathways without requiring a complex bistable mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single coil serves multiple functions by independently actuating both armatures through different magnetic force thresholds, replacing the need for separate control mechanisms for each armature and simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a multi-way valve with two separate armatures and a single coil is used, then the structure is simpler, but the parking brake releases inadvertently during power failure due to full reservoir pressure being introduced to the control input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure simplicityVSAvoidparking brake safety during power failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different spring forces are applied to the first and second armatures, creating distinct magnetic force thresholds that determine which armature actuates first, allowing controlled venting behavior during power failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of preventing pressure introduction during power failure, the invention utilizes controlled pressure venting through the first armature to safely engage the parking brake when power is lost, inverting the conventional approach of maintaining pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a single coil actuates both armatures with different spring forces, then power consumption is reduced and structure is simplified, but control precision must be maintained to ensure proper venting sequence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil power consumptionVSAvoidarmature actuation sequence control
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different spring forces are applied to the first and second armatures, creating distinct magnetic force thresholds that determine which armature actuates first, allowing controlled venting behavior during power failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for safe and reliable parking of vehicles during power failures by providing controlled venting of the spring-loaded brake cylinders, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a single magnetic coil, which generates a magnetic force for actuating the armatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The first armature has a first spring associated therewith, while the second armature has a second spring associated therewith, which exerts a second mechanical force on the second armature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2059426B1Valve unit, brake control device, vehicle brake system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2010.06.09 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP2059426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2059426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2059426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electropneumatic brake control device for controlling an air-quantity-boosting valve device (64) which controls a parking brake of a vehicle. The valve unit (86) has a deaeration valve (134) for deaerating a control input (82) of the air-quantity-boosting valve device (64). The invention provides that the deaeration valve (134) is a valve which has three states I, II and III and which is embodied such that, in a first state I, the control input (82) of the air-quantity-boosting valve device (64) can be deaerated in a throttled manner by means of an aperture (162). In a second state II, the control input (82) of the air-quantity-boosting valve device (64) cannot be deaerated. In a third state III, the control input (82) of the air-quantity-boosting valve device (64) can finally be deaerated in an unthrottled manner.