Design of a Novel Linkage for Electronic Parking Brake Transmission Systems

This paper presents a novel mechanical transmission for pulling-cable electronic parking brakes (EPBs). The system is interposed between the brake electric actuator and the brake pads, and it exploits a 2DOF planar linkage to provide the requested brake force and ensure the correct vehicle standstill. This paper describes the working principles and main component of the adopted architecture, and compares it with the EPB state of the art. Thereafter, the paper focuses on the system requirements and consequent functional design. A first prototype of the presented mechanical transmission is then presented to discuss the role of a mechanical engagement within the system to ensure its proper behavior. In conclusion, the EPB drive motor assessment is discussed on the basis of a simplified drive chain dynamic model.