# US 2022/0034375 A1 · Brake Assembly and Method for Controlling a Brake Assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0034375 A1 - Document ID: US20220034375A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/277,196 - Filed: 2019-08-29 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-18 - Assignees: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH - Applicants: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH - Inventors: Janos SZABO; Michael BLESSING; Robert TRIMPE; Wolfgang PAHLE; Matthias KLINGNER; Andreas BUCH; Andras SIPOS; Huba NEMETH; Csaba KOKREHEL; Viktor TIHANYI; Csaba MLINARCSEK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034375A1 ## CPC - F16D 61/00: Brakes with means for making the energy absorbed available for use (F16D57/00 takes precedence) - B60T 1/065: {employing disc (B60T1/062 takes precedence)} - B60T 13/741: {acting on an ultimate actuator} - B60T 13/746: {and mechanical transmission of the braking action} - F16D 55/226: in which the common actuating member is moved axially {, e.g. floating caliper disc brakes} - F16D 65/005: {Components of axially engaging brakes not otherwise provided for} - F16D 65/18: adapted for drawing members together {, e.g. for disc brakes} - F16D 65/40: mechanical - F16D 2121/24: using motors - F16D 2125/64: Levers - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES ## Abstract A brake assembly has a brake disc in rotational engagement with a wheel of a vehicle, a brake pad which frictionally engages the brake disc when an actuator force is applied thereto, an actuator having an output shaft driven in a forward direction and a reverse direction in order to bring the brake pad and brake disc into the frictional engagement, and an energy absorption and/or storage unit. The energy absorption and/or storage unit absorbs forces acting on the output shaft in the reverse direction in case of a predetermined operation situation. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -12. (canceled) ### Claim 13 A brake assembly, comprising: a brake disc in rotational engagement with a wheel of a vehicle; a brake pad which frictionally engages said brake disc when an actuator force is applied thereto; an actuator having an output shaft driven in a forward direction and a reverse direction in order to bring the brake pad and brake disc in said frictional engagement; and an energy absorption and/or storage unit absorbing forces acting on the output shaft in the reverse direction in case of a predetermined operation situation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit is adapted to dissipate the absorbed forces by way of friction, electronic resistance or viscous dampening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit is adapted to accumulate the absorbed forces by way of a spring member, an accumulator or a battery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit is adapted to counteract forces acting on the output shaft in the reverse direction in the predetermined operation situation such that kinetic energy of the output shaft caused by the forces acting on the output shaft in the reverse direction is transferred into kinetic energy of the energy absorption and/or storage unit, heat and/or electric energy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit is realized in that the actuator comprises an electric machine for driving the output shaft, and the electric machine is operable in an electric generator mode adapted to absorb said forces. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the brake assembly comprises a braking end position in which the brake pad and brake disc are frictionally engaged, and a rest end position in which the brake pad and brake disc are disengaged, a stop element is arranged so as to limit axial movement of the output shaft in the reverse direction beyond the rest position, and the energy absorption and/or storage unit is arranged such that an impact of the output shaft on the stop element is prevented. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The brake assembly according to claim 18, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit comprises a spring member or a viscous damper associated with the stop element such that upon movement of the output shaft from the rest position in the reverse direction, an oppositely oriented spring force and/or dampening force is applied on the output shaft. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit is electrically activated and/or coupled to the actuator such that in case of the predetermined operation situation, the energy absorption and/or storage unit is automatically activated in order to absorb the output shaft forces. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the energy absorption and/or storage unit comprises an eddy current brake, wherein upon movement of the output shaft in the reverse direction, beyond the rest position, an electric current through a coil is induced, which is accumulated or dissipated by the energy absorption and/or storage unit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is coupled to the energy absorption and/or storage unit and configured in that the absorbed forces by the energy absorption and/or storage unit are dissipated by the actuator, wherein the actuator includes an electric resistor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The brake assembly according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic, an electro-mechanic or a hydraulic actuator. ### Claim 24 A method for controlling a brake assembly comprising a brake disc, a brake pad and an actuator with an output shaft driven in a forward direction and a reverse direction, the method comprising: determining a predefined operating situation; and absorbing forces acting on the output shaft in the reverse direction in case of the predefined operating situation.