Two-Step Parking Brake Release Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-motion parking brake release mechanisms are prone to unintentional release, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and potential injuries or property damage due to accidental depression of the plunger knob.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage parking brake release actuation system featuring a collar device with a torsionally loaded spring that maintains the plunger knob in a locked position, requiring a dual motion of rotation and depression to unlock and release the brake, preventing accidental actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-motion plunger knob is used for parking brake release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintentional release
Solution Approach 1:
The brake release mechanism is segmented into two distinct motions: first rotating the collar device to align interlocking features, then depressing the plunger knob. This segmentation separates the unlocking action from the actuation action, preventing accidental release while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar device must be rotated in advance to align the interlocking features with the recesses before the plunger knob can be depressed. This preliminary action ensures that the brake cannot be released accidentally, as the interlocking features block the plunger depression until the collar is properly positioned.
2Reliability
If a collar device with interlocking features is added to prevent accidental release, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar device is nested over the plunger stem, with the plunger knob passing through the collar. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions (locking, rotating, depressing) into a compact structure that does not significantly increase the overall device footprint or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar device combines rotational movement and axial depression into a single integrated component that works with the existing plunger stem and knob. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate locking mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 effectively mitigates unintentional parking brake release and enhances vehicle safety by ensuring the brake remains engaged unless intentionally released through the specified dual-motion process.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed and torsionally loaded spring that maintains the collar device in a locked position
Implementation Method 2
upon release of the top collar by an operator, the compressed spring forces the top collar upward
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-motion collar device is described, which elicits an additional motion from an operator when initiating a parking brake release in a vehicle. The collar device comprises top and bottom collars with a compressed and torsionally stressed spring there between, such that the collar device maintains a park brake plunger knob in a locked state. An operator twists the top collar to align interlocking features on the top and bottom collars, and then pushes downward to unlock the collar device. The operator then pushes downward on a park brake plunger knob around which the collar device is installed to actuate a parking brake valve assembly and release the parking brake.