Method for actuating an automatic parking brake

A brake device for an automotive parking brake, comprising:

• a brake caliper housing that defines a chamber configured to receive a fluid;
• a brake disk;
• a brake piston positioned and arranged in the brake caliper housing so as to be axially displaceable along an axis to enable the brake piston to cooperate with the brake disk;
• a spindle received in the brake piston;
• a spindle nut that is received in the brake piston, that cooperates with the spindle to enable the spindle to move axially along the axis in response to rotation of the spindle, and that is configured and arranged to come into contact with the brake piston;
• wherein, when a first hydraulic driver-applied pre-pressure is above a first pressure threshold value during a mechanical application process of the parking brake, the brake device is configured to build up a hydraulic support pressure in the chamber that is configured to unload the spindle.

A control device configured to actuate a parking brake with a brake device that includes a brake caliper housing that defines a chamber configured to receive a fluid, a brake piston, a spindle, and a spindle nut, the actuating of the parking brake comprising:

• determining a first hydraulic driver-applied pre-pressure in the chamber during a mechanical application process of the parking brake;
• comparing the first hydraulic driver-applied pre-pressure to a first predetermined pressure threshold value;
• and
• when the first hydraulic driver-applied pre-pressure is above the first pressure threshold value, building up a hydraulic support pressure in the chamber that is configured to unload the spindle.