Wheel Brake Actuator With Backup Energy for Power-Loss Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-mechanic brake actuators for vehicles are ill-suited for emergency situations as they rely on external power sources and lack reliable energy storage to perform brake actuations when power supply is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
An actuator with an integrated backup energy storage, such as capacitors or pre-tensioned springs, to provide sufficient energy for a single brake actuation, including service or parking brake functions, even in emergency conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electro-mechanic actuators rely on external power sources for brake actuation, then normal brake operation is achieved, but reliability in emergency situations deteriorates when power supply is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing energy in advance within the actuator through a backup energy storage device (capacitor or battery). This stored energy is prepared beforehand specifically for emergency brake actuation, allowing the system to operate independently when external power fails. The energy storage component is continuously charged during normal operation and automatically activates during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary backup energy storage device that mediates between the external power supply and the actuation element. This intermediary component decouples the actuator from complete dependence on external power, providing a buffer that ensures brake actuation can occur even when the primary power source is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between normal operation and emergency reliability.
2Reliability
If backup energy storage is integrated into the actuator, then emergency brake actuation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the backup energy storage device directly into the actuator housing, combining multiple functions (power storage, actuation, control) into a single integrated unit. This merging approach improves emergency capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing structural components and space between the storage device and actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed with multi-functionality, where the same housing and structural components serve both the backup energy storage device and the actuation element. The electronic control unit also manages both normal and emergency operations, making the system universal and reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting complexity growth.
3Reliability
If a pre-tensioned spring is used for parking brake, then emergency brake function is provided, but energy storage capacity is insufficient for service brake actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from mechanical spring tension alone to electrical energy storage in capacitors or batteries. This parameter change enables sufficient energy capacity to not only maintain parking brake function but also provide adequate power for full service brake actuation during emergencies, overcoming the energy limitation of spring-based systems while maintaining reliable emergency brake function.
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
Ensures reliable brake actuation in emergency situations by providing the necessary energy directly to the actuation element, ensuring the vehicle can be stopped or held in place without external power.
Implementation Method 1
The backup energy storage is configured to store sufficient energy for causing the actuation element to perform a complete brake actuation at least once
Implementation Method 2
An actuator with an integrated backup energy storage, such as capacitors or pre-tensioned springs, to provide sufficient energy for a single brake actuation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An actuator (100) for a wheel brake unit (200) of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the actuator (100) comprises an actuation element (110) for performing an actuation, and is configured to receive, through a power supply (50), a power for performing the actuation. The actuator (100) is characterized by a detection means (120), configured to receive a control signal and to detect a power shortage indicative of an emergency situation, and to generate an emergency signal (125) if the control signal is received or if the power shortage is detected, as well as by a backup energy storage (130), configured to store energy sufficient for causing the actuation element (110) to perform a complete brake actuation at least once and, upon receiving the emergency signal (125), to provide at least a part of the energy needed by the actuation element (110) to perform the actuation.