Toggle Lever Parking Brake for Compact Vehicle Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking brakes for vehicles are bulky, heavy, and complex, with cable mechanisms that can be unreliable and require significant space, compromising operational safety.
Innovation Solution
A compact parking brake design utilizing a toggle lever device with a support mechanism that amplifies force, allowing a smaller drive unit to generate the necessary braking force, and incorporating a wedge arrangement for adjustable support and reduced wear compensation, eliminating the need for cables and complex transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cable mechanisms are used in parking brakes, then the braking function can be achieved, but the device becomes complex and requires significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable mechanism entirely from the parking brake system. Instead of using cables to transmit braking force, the invention employs a direct mechanical linkage between the drive unit and the brake piston, eliminating the intermediate cable component that causes complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a drive unit, a toggle lever mechanism, and a brake piston assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by removing unnecessary connections between components.
2Reliability
If conventional parking brake designs are used, then the braking function is provided, but the spatial requirements and weight are relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle lever mechanism is nested within the brake piston assembly, with the lever arms and joints positioned inside the cylindrical housing. This nesting arrangement minimizes the external dimensions of the parking brake while maintaining all necessary functional components, reducing both space requirements and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a large motor to directly generate the full braking force, the invention inverts the approach by using a small drive unit that generates only enough force to actuate the toggle lever, which then mechanically amplifies the force to achieve the required braking effect. This inversion allows for a much smaller and lighter drive unit.
3Volume of stationary object
If a small drive unit is used, then the spatial requirements are reduced, but the braking force generation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle lever mechanism serves as a mechanical intermediary between the small drive unit and the brake piston. It receives a small input force from the drive unit and transforms it into a large output force applied to the brake piston, acting as a force amplifier that reconciles the contradiction between small drive unit size and sufficient braking force generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle lever mechanism utilizes curved paths and rotational joints to transform the linear motion of the drive unit into the radial expansion of the brake piston. The geometric configuration of the lever arms and joints provides mechanical advantage, converting a small linear displacement into a large radial force.
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 results in a lightweight, space-efficient, and reliable parking brake system with improved operational safety and reduced manufacturing complexity, capable of providing high braking forces while minimizing wear and maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
A first force by which the toggle lever device is deflected has the effect that the toggle lever device provides a second force that is significantly larger than the first force. The toggle lever device consequently has the effect of increasing the force.
Implementation Method 2
the support device comprises a wedge arrangement, which becomes wedged with the support device for supporting the toggle lever device
Implementation Method 3
by which a brake disk can be immobilized by applying a braking force when the brake piston is in the braking position
Data Source
AI summary
A parking brake, particularly for a vehicle, includes a brake piston, supported to be movable along a longitudinal axis between a braking position and an open position, by which a brake disk is immobilizable by applying a braking force, when the brake piston is in the braking position, a drive unit for moving the brake piston along the longitudinal axis, and a toggle lever interacting with the brake piston and having at least first and second legs. The first and second legs are connected rotatably with a joint element and are actuatable by the drive unit, such that the toggle lever provides the braking force and applies it to the brake piston. An immobilizing device having such a parking brake, as well as a vehicle having the immobilizing device, and a method for immobilizing a vehicle by such an immobilizing device are also provided.