Patent Application
20080210501
The present disclosure relates to electric brake systems and to front electric brake systems for assisting vehicle braking.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Electric brakes are equipment drive assemblies that use electrically actuated components to slow or stop shafts. Various electric brakes are electrically actuated but rely on mechanical friction to provide braking torque. Various other electric brakes rely on the creation of an electrical force to provide the braking torque. While still other electric brakes combine the electrical force with mechanical friction to provide braking torque.
Electric brakes that rely on mechanical friction are typically used in applications that require fast response times and precise application of a braking force control. This type of electric brake is commonly used on rear wheels of vehicles. Such brakes are frequently the preferred electric brakes when the load must be brought to a full stop. These brakes are generally referred to as friction brakes as they generate friction between contact surfaces. A consequence of the conventional electric braking technique is that the materials that physically rub together eventually wear away and must be occasionally replaced.
Electric brakes that rely on an electrical force are primarily used to provide drag or retarding action where a rapid or precise full stop is not needed. This type of electric brake is commonly used in RV and utility trailers to assist a vehicle in bringing the load to a complete stop. Common examples include magnetic-particle, hysteresis, and eddy-current brakes. Such brakes are considered non-contact brakes, as braking energy is applied to the load without physically touching the load.
Integrating any of these various types of electric brakes into the front wheel suspension systems is desirable to assist with vehicle braking.
Accordingly, a front electric brake assembly for assisting vehicle braking is provided. The front electric brake assembly includes a spindle that includes at least one mounting flange. A shaft extends substantially perpendicular from the spindle. An electric brake mounts to the at least one mounting flange of the spindle. A hub assembly rotates about the shaft and interconnects with the electric brake.
In other features, an assistive front electric braking system for vehicles is provided. The system includes a left electric brake splined to a left front hub assembly for assisting vehicle braking. A right electric brake is splined to a right front hub assembly for simultaneously assisting vehicle braking. A brake detection device detects a position of a brake pedal and generates an electrical signal based the position. A switching device responds to the electrical signal and generates a second and a third electrical signal to the left and the right electric brakes respectively.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, like reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify the like elements.
Referring now to
Golf car 10 includes a frame (not shown) that provides support and structure for golf car 10. A body is mounted to the frame and is shown generally at 12. Body 12 includes a floorboard 14, a bench 16, a front end 18, a rear end 20, a storage unit 22, and a basket 24. Bench 16 is mounted to and located above floorboard 14. Bench 16 has two laterally spaced seats for at least two occupants, a driver and a passenger. Arm-rails 26A and 26B and a seatback 28 mount to and extend above bench 16. Storage unit 22 is located behind bench 16 and can be designed to accommodate at least two golf bags in an upright position. A canopy 30 connects to front struts 31 and back struts 32 extending upwardly from front end 18 and rear end 20 respectively. Basket 24 can connect to back struts 32.
A steering column 34 extends upwardly from floorboard 14 of body 12. Steering column 34 is angled inwardly toward bench 16 adjacent to the driver seat. A steering wheel 36 is provided at the end of steering column 34. Driver controls, including a brake pedal 38 and an accelerator pedal 40, extend outwardly from floorboard 14. Beneath bench 16 of body 12 is a propulsion system 41, shown generally in phantom. The propulsion system 41 typically propels rear wheels 42 of golf car 10 based on input provided from driver controls 38 and 40. The propulsion system 41 may be gas powered or electrically powered. By way of non-limiting example, the various embodiments will be discussed in the context of an electric propulsion system. Typically electric propulsion systems include a motor, a battery pack, and a brake coupled to the motor. Electrical sensors or mechanical actuators control the state of the propulsion system to direct operation of golf car 10.
In various embodiments, golf car 10 includes a left and right assistive front electric brake assemblies 50, shown generally in phantom, that are coupled to left and right front wheels 44, respectively, to provide braking assistance when brake pedal 38 is depressed. The braking assistance can be applied in addition to the braking force provided by the brake of the propulsion system 41 to reduce vehicle speed while attempting to decelerate the vehicle at higher deceleration rates. Such may be the case when golf car 10 is traveling down steep grades, needs to abruptly stop, or is heavily loaded.
Hub assembly 63 interconnects with electric brake 60 and rotates on spindle shaft 62. Hub assembly 63, more specifically includes a bearing set 74A and 74B pressed into metallic hub 64 and retained in metallic hub 64 by a snap ring (not shown). A spacer tube 76 assembles between bearing set 74A and 74B to prevent damage to bearing set 74A and 74B under compressive loading. Studs 78A-D are pressed into corresponding bones in hub 64 in a pattern that matches mounting holes on the rims of a wheel assembly. Nut 66 threads onto spindle shaft 62 to retain hub assembly 63 during operation of golf car 10. Hub 64 includes spline detail 77 that mates internally to friction material in electric brake 60. A dust cap 80 installs to hub 64 over the end of spindle shaft 62 covering nut 66 and hub assembly components.
Assistive front electric brake assembly 50 mounts to a suspension system of golf car 10. Suspension system includes a suspension arm 82 that is pivotally supported by pins to permit knuckle 68, spindle 52, electric brake 60, and hub assembly 63 to pivot about deflection arc ‘L.’ A coil spring 84 and a shock absorber 86 of spring/shock absorber assembly 88 deflect to allow motion of spring/shock absorber assembly 88 in each of a compression direction ‘M’ and an expansion direction ‘N.’ Shock absorber 86 can be fixedly connected via a mounting pin to a support structure such as the frame of golf car 10.
Referring to
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The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.
