Electromechanical Trailer Parking Brake Spring Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake systems for vehicle trailers require high power, are expensive, and rely on electrical energy, making them inefficient and unreliable when the battery level drops, especially when maneuvering a suspended trailer.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical parking brake system with a handbrake lever and spring-loaded device, where an electric motor pivots the lever to a dead center position, allowing the spring-loaded device to independently move it into the braking position, reducing energy requirements and enabling manual actuation without electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electric motor is used to actuate the parking brake, then automatic actuation is achieved, but the power requirement becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The braking action is segmented into two phases: an initial phase where the electric motor pivots the handbrake lever from the release position toward the braking position, and a second phase where the spring-loaded device takes over to complete the pivoting movement into the final braking position. This segmentation allows the electric motor to perform only the initial positioning work, significantly reducing its power requirement compared to moving the lever through the entire braking range.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded device is pre-loaded during normal operation when the parking brake is released. This preliminary storage of elastic potential energy allows the spring to provide the force needed for the final braking action without requiring additional electrical energy, enabling the system to achieve full braking capability with minimal motor intervention.
2Extent of automation
If electrical energy is required to release the parking brake, then automatic release is achieved, but the system becomes unreliable when energy store drops below certain level
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded device automatically releases the parking brake by reversing the pivoting movement when sufficient energy is available, without requiring active intervention from the electric motor. The spring's stored energy self-propels the lever back to the release position, making the system reliable even when the energy store is depleted, as the mechanical spring mechanism remains functional.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a spring-loaded device moves the handbrake lever into braking position, then energy requirement is reduced, but manual actuation becomes difficult without electrical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor serves as an intermediary that positions the handbrake lever near the dead center position, where the spring-loaded device can then take over. This intermediary action facilitates smooth transition between manual and spring-assisted operation, making manual actuation easier by reducing the initial force barrier while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 system minimizes energy consumption, allows manual operation even with low battery levels, and can be easily retrofitted to existing systems, providing reliable braking in both overrun and rigid drawbar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded device which is designed to move the handbrake lever from a dead center position in which the direction of force of the spring-loaded device passes through the pivot axis of the handbrake lever, either into a Pivot release position or opposite to a braking position
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~5B
Figure 6A~6C
AI summary
In an electromechanical parking brake for vehicle trailers with a handbrake lever (2) actuated by a spring storage device (13), an electric motor (21) is provided which is operatively connected to the handbrake lever (2) via an actuating element (18) such that the handbrake lever (2) can be pivoted by means of the electric motor (21) from a release position beyond the dead center position to a pivoting position in which the spring storage device (13) pushes the handbrake lever (2) further into its braking position.