Abstract:
The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.
Abstract:
A torque sensing apparatus for use with a brake caliper having opposing brake pads positioned on opposite sides of a rotor. The brake caliper causes the brake pads to apply a braking force against the rotor that generates a braking torque. A torque transfer device is supported by the brake caliper and is in contact with one of the brake pads. The torque transfer device is resiliently movable with respect to the brake caliper in response to the braking torque. A torque sensor is positioned in a sensing relationship relative to the torque transfer device. Thus, the torque sensor provides an output signal related to a change of position of the torque transfer device and the braking torque. The torque sensor includes a magnet mounted on the torque transfer device and a magnet field sensor, for example, a Hall Effect sensor, is mounted on the brake caliper.
Abstract:
An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system or clutch pack comprises a motor shaft having a first tapered cutout, and a ballscrew shaft having a second tapered cutout. The first and second tapered cutouts being adapted to mate.
Abstract:
A manually operated cable release apparatus, suitable for use in an electrically actuated brake, is provided for a locking mechanism having a shaft that is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the shaft, between a first angular position where the locking mechanism is disengaged, and a second angular position where the locking mechanism is engaged. The cable release apparatus includes a lever having one end thereof fixedly attached to the shaft and extending outward from the shaft for applying a force to the lever, for rotating the shaft back and forth through an angular displacement between the first and second angular positions. A cable is operatively connected to the lever in a manner allowing the shaft to rotate freely back and forth through the angular displacement of the shaft between the first and second angular positions without movement of the cable from a non-engaged position of the cable, and for engaging and applying a tensile force from the cable to the lever for rotating the shaft to the first position from any point in the angular displacement between the first and second angular positions of the shaft.
Abstract:
A device for implementing a method for controlling a switched-reluctance motor having a rotor and excitable phases is disclosed. The device comprises a controller and an interface for implementing a master control routine including a pre-alignment stage, a preliminary stage, and a primary stage. During the pre-alignment stage, the rotor is rotated to an initial position corresponding to one the phases being aligned. During the preliminary stage, the rotor is rotated from the initial position is rotated in a desired direction. During the primary stage, any operational losses are minimized when the rotor is positioned in a holding position.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a rotary holding device for an electrically actuated brake system in a vehicle including a rotor assembly including a plurality of teeth and a stator assembly including a plurality of teeth. The stator assembly teeth are positioned adjacent the rotor assembly teeth and a coil is positioned to allow a magnetic flux to align the rotor assembly teeth and the stator assembly teeth when the coil is energized to hold a motor shaft coupled to the device.
Abstract:
The problem of reliably locking an electrically actuated park brake is resolved through the use of a jaw-tooth clutch operatively installed between the shaft and the housing of a drive motor, for engaging the brake. The brake may be locked and unlocked by selectively engaging the jaw-tooth clutch either electrically or manually.
Abstract:
A direct current electric motor having a reduced inertia rotor includes a stator affixed to a housing wherein the stator comprises a plurality of electrically conductive windings. The stator further defines a central cavity in which is mounted a rotor. The rotor comprises a shaft, at least two magnets affixed in a radially spaced manner from the shaft, and a rotor core between the shaft and magnets that is rotationally de-coupled from the shaft and the magnets.