Electric parking brake

摘要

A parking brake has the function of monitoring a malfunction of the parking brake, thereby preventing accidents. The parking brake includes an electric motor and a linear motion mechanism which are connected together through a speed reduction mechanism. The parking brake further includes a locking pin which can be brought into engagement with the speed reduction mechanism by a solenoid. The parking brake further includes a monitor for detecting a change in reactance of the solenoid. Since the change in reactance as detected corresponds to a displacement of a plunger, it is possible to prevent accidents by monitoring deteriorated sliding properties of the locking pin based on the displacement detected.

主权项

1. An electric parking brake, wherein an electric motor is connected to a speed reduction mechanism through a linear motion mechanism, wherein a friction member mounted to the linear motion mechanism is configured to be pressed against a brake disk by rotating the electric motor, thereby generating a braking force, wherein with the braking force generated, an engaging member is configured to be moved to an engaged position where the engaging member is engaged in one of the linear motion mechanism and the speed reduction mechanism by a solenoid,
wherein the electric parking brake comprises a monitor configured to detect a displacement of a plunger of the solenoid, and monitor a behavior of the engaging member based on the detected displacement, wherein the displacement is detected by detecting an inductance of the solenoid, and wherein a determination is made whether or not the engaging member has been moved to the engaged position based on the displacement of the plunger.