Brake dust trapping system

Abstract

This brake dust collection system (10) is provided with: a cover body (11) for covering a brake device (9) provided at an end of an axle (7) of a vehicle (S); a suction device (12) that sucks brake dust generated inside the cover body (11) through a suction path (14) from an opening (110) provided in the cover body (11); a control device (17) that operates the suction device (12) in a state in which the brake device (9) brakes a wheel (8) attached to an end of the axle (7) while the vehicle (S) is traveling; and a collection device (15) that is provided between the opening (110) and the suction device (12) in the suction path (14) and collects the brake dust sucked by the suction device (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake dust collection system. Background Art

[0002] Conventional brake dust cleaners eject fluid into the interior of a cover that covers a brake drum or a brake disc, and then collect brake dust by sucking the dust scattered inside the cover through an opening provided in the cover (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-183717). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be Solved by the Invention Since the above-described brake dust cleaner raises a stopped vehicle by a lift and is used in a state where the tires of each wheel of the vehicle are removed from the vehicle, it cannot collect brake dust while the vehicle is running. As a result, if the brakes are used while the vehicle is running, there is a problem that brake dust scatters into the atmosphere.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to suppress the scattering of brake dust while the vehicle is running.

[0005] Means for Solving the Problems A brake dust collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cover that covers a braking device provided at an end of each axle of a vehicle; a suction device that sucks dust generated inside each of the covers through a suction path from an opening provided in each of the covers; a control device that causes the suction device to operate in a state where the braking device brakes a wheel mounted on the end of the axle while the vehicle is running; and a collection device that is provided between the opening and the suction device in the suction path and collects the dust sucked by each of the suction devices.

[0006] The control device may cause the suction device to operate when performing a first braking process of braking the wheel by the braking device and a second braking process of braking the wheel by an electric motor that rotates the axle.

[0007] The control device may perform the second braking process in a state where the suction device is stopped when a charging rate of a power storage device that stores electricity generated by the electric motor is less than a first threshold value.

[0008] After the charging rate reaches the first threshold value, the control device may perform the first braking process and cause the suction device to operate when the charging rate is equal to or higher than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value.

[0009] The suction device can be driven by being supplied with the electricity stored in the power storage device.

[0010] It may also be provided with a notification device that notifies the driver of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the trapping device when the negative pressure of the suction device is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure.

[0011] The opening may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the covering body or on a portion of the covering body that faces the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle.

[0012] As the plurality of trapping devices, it may include: a first trapping device that traps the dust sucked from the inside of the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle; and a second trapping device that traps the dust sucked from the inside of the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle. The size of the filter for trapping the dust in the first trapping device may be larger than the size of the filter in the second trapping device.

[0013] As the plurality of suction devices, it may include: a first suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle; and a second suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle. The suction force of the first suction device for sucking the dust may be greater than the suction force of the second suction device for sucking the dust.

[0014] The control device may cause the suction device to operate when the depression amount of the brake pedal of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined depression amount.

[0015] The control device may execute the first braking process and the second braking process, or the first braking process, and cause the suction device to operate when the braking force corresponding to the depression amount of the brake pedal of the vehicle is greater than the maximum value of the braking force generated by the second braking process.

[0016] Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the effect of suppressing the scattering of braking dust during vehicle travel is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the vehicle S of the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the control device 17 based on the SOC of the power storage device 16.

[0019] Figure 3It is a diagram schematically showing a vehicle S that traps braking dust on each axle 7.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the processing sequence in the control device 17.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals S Vehicle 1 Charging port 2 Engine 3 Crankshaft 4 Power transmission device 5 Motor 5a Motor 5b Motor 6 Final reduction gear 7 Axle 7a Front axle 7b Rear axle 8 Wheel 8a Wheel 8b Wheel 8c Wheel 8d Wheel 9 Braking device 9a Braking device 9b Braking device 9c Braking device 9d Braking device 10 Braking dust trapping system 11 Cover 11a Cover 11b Cover 11c Cover 11d Cover 110 Opening 110a Opening 110b Opening 110c Opening 110d Opening 12 Suction device 12a First suction device 12b Second suction device 13 Negative pressure sensor 13a First negative pressure sensor 13b Second negative pressure sensor 14 Suction path 14a First suction path 14b Second suction path 15 Trapping device 15a First trapping device 15b Second trapping device 16 Power storage device 17 Control device 18 Notification device Detailed implementation manners

[0022] <Overview of vehicle S> Figure 1 It is a diagram schematically showing the structure of vehicle S of the present embodiment. Figure 1 The illustrated vehicle S includes: a charging port 1, an engine 2, a crankshaft 3, a power transmission device 4, a plurality of motors 5 (motor 5a, motor 5b), a final reduction gear 6, an axle 7, a plurality of wheels 8 (wheel 8c, wheel 8d), a plurality of braking devices 9 (braking device 9c, braking device 9d), and a brake dust collection system 10. The brake dust collection system 10 has a plurality of covers 11 (cover 11c, cover 11d), a suction device 12, a negative pressure sensor 13, a suction path 14, a collection device 15, a power storage device 16, a control device 17, and a notification device 18.

[0023] Vehicle S is an EV (Electric Vehicle) having a drive source that receives power supply to generate power, and is, for example, an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). In Figure 1 it, as an example of vehicle S, a PHEV is shown.

[0024] The charging port 1 is an insertion port for supplying power from the outside of vehicle S to the power storage device 16. As an example, the driver of vehicle S stops vehicle S at a place where a power supply device is provided (so-called charging station), and by connecting the front end of the power supply cable of the power supply device to the charging port 1, the power output from the power supply device can be charged into the power storage device 16.

[0025] The engine 2 is a drive source of vehicle S and is an internal combustion engine that burns and expands a mixture of fuel and intake air (air) to generate power. The crankshaft 3 is a shaft for changing the reciprocating motion of a piston (not shown) in the engine 2 into a rotational motion. The power transmission device 4 is a device (so-called transmission) that converts the power generated by the engine 2 and the motor 5 into power corresponding to the running state of vehicle S and the operation of the driver and transmits it to the final reduction gear 6.

[0026] The electric motor 5 is a drive source of the vehicle S, for example, an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. The electric motor 5, for example, changes the direction of the magnetic force of the stator by using electricity supplied from the power storage device 16 through an inverter (not shown), whereby the rotor provided inside the stator rotates to generate power. Further, when braking the vehicle S, the electric motor 5 supplies the electricity generated by the rotor rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation when driving the vehicle S (so-called electricity generated by regenerative braking) to the power storage device 16. In Figure 1 it, the operation in which the electric motor 5a generates power and the electric motor 5b generates electricity by performing regenerative braking is shown, but the electric motors 5a and 5b may also generate power when driving the vehicle S and generate electricity when braking the vehicle S, respectively.

[0027] The final reduction gear 6 includes a final gear that reduces the power (rotational speed) received from the power transmission device 4, and a differential gear that converts the power reduced by the final gear into the power (rotational motion) of each wheel 8 based on the actual steering angle of the vehicle S. The axle 7 is an axle that supports the wheels 8 at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle S. In Figure 1 it, the drive shaft that rotates the wheel 8 by receiving the rotational motion from the final reduction gear 6 is shown as the axle 7, but the vehicle S may also be provided with another axle 7 different from the drive shaft. The wheel 8 includes: a wheel provided at an end in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle S on the axle 7 and rotating together with the rotation of the axle 7; and a tire mounted on the outer periphery of the wheel. When a plurality of axles 7 are provided on the vehicle S, the wheel 8 is provided, for example, at an end in the vehicle width direction of each axle 7.

[0028] The braking device 9 is a device that is provided at an end in the vehicle width direction of each axle 7 and brakes the vehicle S by braking the rotation of the axle 7, that is, a so-called drum brake or disc brake. When the braking device 9 is a drum brake, it includes a brake shoe for pressing on the brake drum, and when it is a disc brake, it includes a brake disc that rotates according to the rotation of the axle 7 and a brake pad that presses the brake disc from the vehicle width direction. In the braking device 9, when the brake shoe presses the brake drum or the brake pad presses the brake disc to brake the vehicle S, dust (so-called brake dust) is generated.

[0029] The brake dust collection system 10 is a system for collecting the brake dust generated when the braking device 9 brakes the traveling vehicle S. In the vehicle S, the brake dust collection system 10 collects the brake dust during the traveling of the vehicle S, whereby the scattering of the brake dust into the atmosphere can be suppressed.

[0030] Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the brake dust collection system 10 will be described in detail.

[0031] <Structure of the brake dust collection system 10> The covering body 11 is a component for covering the braking device 9 provided at the end of the axle 7 of the vehicle S. When the braking device 9 is a drum brake, the covering body 11 can also be a brake drum and a back plate included in the drum brake. The covering body 11 confines the brake dust generated when the braking device 9 brakes the rotation of the axle 7 within the space surrounded by the covering body 11, thereby suppressing the scattering of the brake dust into the atmosphere. The covering body 11 is provided on each braking device 9 of the vehicle S, but in Figure 1 For simplicity of explanation, among the plurality of covering bodies 11 provided on the vehicle S, the covering body 11c covering the braking device 9c and the covering body 11d covering the braking device 9d are shown.

[0032] In each covering body 11, an opening 110 (opening 110c and opening 110d in Figure 1 ) is provided. The opening 110 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface of the covering body 11 or on a portion of the covering body 11 that faces the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle S. By providing the opening 110 in this way, in the brake dust collection system 10, the suction path 14 can be provided in a manner that does not contact the wheel 8.

[0033] The suction device 12 sucks the brake dust generated inside the covering body 11 from the opening 110 provided on the covering body 11 through the suction path 14. The suction device 12 operates, for example, based on the electricity stored in the power storage device 16. As an example, the suction device 12 has a motor equipped with a fan, rotates the motor using the electricity supplied by the power storage device 16, and squeezes the air to the outside of the suction device 12, thereby generating a negative pressure (pressure difference between the inside and outside of the suction device 12). As another example, the suction device 12 has a pump, operates the pump using the electricity supplied by the power storage device 16, and squeezes the air to the outside of the suction device 12, thereby generating a negative pressure. And the suction device 12 sucks the air containing the brake dust from the space surrounded by the covering body 11 by using the generated negative pressure.

[0034] The negative pressure sensor 13 is a sensor for detecting the negative pressure generated by the suction device 12, and outputs the detected negative pressure to the control device 17 at a predetermined control cycle. The predetermined control cycle is, for example, 1 second. The suction path 14 is a flow path through which the air containing the brake dust flows by sucking the brake dust from each covering body 11 by the suction device 12. The suction path 14 includes each branch flow path through which the air flows from the opening 110 provided on each covering body 11 to the confluence point G2, and a confluence path through which the air flows from the confluence point G2 to the suction device 12. In Figure 1In it, a first branch flow path through which air flows from the opening 110c to the confluence point G2, a second branch flow path through which air flows from the opening 110d to the confluence point G2, and a confluence flow path through which air flows from the confluence point G2 to the suction device 12 are shown. A trapping device 15 is provided downstream of the confluence point G2 of the confluence flow path and upstream of the suction device 12.

[0035] The trapping device 15 is provided between the confluence point G2 downstream of the opening 110 in the suction path 14 and the suction device 12, and traps the brake dust sucked by the suction device 12. The trapping device 15 has, for example, a filter for trapping brake dust. By the suction of the suction device 12, the brake dust contained in the air flowing through the suction path 14 adheres to the filter, thereby trapping the brake dust.

[0036] The power storage device 16 has, for example, a rechargeable storage battery and supplies power to the motor 5 (motor 5a in Figure 1 this case) and the suction device 12. The power storage device 16 charges, for example, the electricity generated by the motor 5 (motor 5b in Figure 1 this case) performing regenerative braking when the vehicle S is braked. The power storage device 16 can also charge the electricity supplied from an external power supply device through the charging port 1. The power storage device 16 outputs the charging rate of the storage battery to the control device 17 at a predetermined control cycle. In the following description, the charging rate of the storage battery included in the power storage device 16 is referred to as SOC (State Of Charge), and the SOC of the storage battery is referred to as the SOC of the power storage device 16.

[0037] The control device 17 is a device including, for example, a processor such as one or more CPUs (Central Processing Unit) or ECUs (Electronic Control Unit). The control device 17 performs, for example, a braking process for braking the vehicle S or a process for operating the suction device 12 to trap the brake dust generated by the braking process. The control device 17 may have a housing containing electronic components or may be a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted.

[0038] When the braking device 9 brakes the wheel 8 mounted at the end of the axle 7 during the running of the vehicle S, the control device 17 operates the suction device 12. For example, when the control device 17 receives that the driver of the vehicle S operates the brake pedal during the running of the vehicle S, the control device 17 operates the suction device 12. For example, when the depression amount of the brake pedal provided in the vehicle S is greater than a predetermined depression amount, the control device 17 operates the suction device 12. As an example, when the depression amount of the brake pedal detected by a brake pedal sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle S is greater than a predetermined depression amount, the control device 17 operates the suction device 12. The predetermined depression amount is a depression amount determined through experiments or simulations. The predetermined depression amount may also be 0.

[0039] By operating in this way, the control device 17 can capture the brake dust generated when braking the vehicle S at the timing of braking the vehicle S. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can suppress the brake dust generated during the running of the vehicle S from scattering into the atmosphere.

[0040] For example, when the control device 17 receives that the driver of the vehicle S has finished operating the brake pedal, the control device 17 stops the suction device 12. As an example, when the depression amount of the brake pedal detected by the brake pedal sensor is equal to or less than the predetermined depression amount, the control device 17 stops the suction device 12.

[0041] As a braking process for braking the vehicle S, the control device 17 executes at least one of a mechanical braking process (first braking process) of braking the wheel 8 by the braking device 9 and a regenerative braking process (second braking process) of braking the wheel 8 by the motor 5 that rotates the axle 7. When the vehicle S is braked by the mechanical braking process, the braking device 9 generates brake dust. However, when the vehicle S is braked by the regenerative braking process, the braking device 9 does not generate brake dust. Therefore, for example, when executing the mechanical braking process among the mechanical braking process and the regenerative braking process, the control device 17 operates the suction device 12.

[0042] For example, when the control device 17 determines that a braking force corresponding to the operation amount of the brake pedal operated by the driver of the vehicle S can be generated by the regenerative braking process, the control device 17 executes the regenerative braking process and does not operate the suction device 12. For example, when the braking force is greater than the maximum value of the braking force that can be generated by the regenerative braking, the control device 17 executes the regenerative braking process and the mechanical braking process, or the mechanical braking process, and operates the suction device 12.

[0043] By operating the control device 17 as described above, the control device 17 can operate the suction device 12 only at the timing when the braking device 9 generates brake dust, so that the brake dust can be captured at an appropriate timing. As a result, the control device 17 can suppress the SOC of the power storage device 16 that supplies power to the suction device 12 from decreasing excessively during the running of the vehicle S.

[0044] In order to charge and discharge a specified amount of electricity in the power storage device 16 over a specified durability period, it is preferable to charge and discharge in such a way that the SOC of the power storage device 16 falls within a predetermined range (for example, 30% or more and less than 80%). In addition, when the control device 17 operates the suction device 12 during the execution of the mechanical braking process, the power storage device 16 discharges (supplies power) to the suction device 12, and when the control device 17 executes the regenerative braking process, the electricity generated by the motor 5 is charged. Therefore, the control device 17 determines, for example, the processes to be executed in the mechanical braking process and the regenerative braking process based on the SOC obtained from the power storage device 16, and determines whether to operate the suction device 12 based on this process.

[0045] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the control device 17 based on the SOC of the power storage device 16. Figure 2 The horizontal axis of represents time. Figure 2 The vertical axis of represents: "SOC" indicating the SOC of the power storage device 16, "Regenerative Braking" indicating the presence or absence of execution of the regenerative braking process, "Mechanical Braking" indicating the presence or absence of execution of the mechanical braking process, and "Brake Dust Suction" indicating the presence or absence of operation of the suction device 12. In Figure 2 "TH1" represents the first threshold of the SOC (for example, 80%), and "TH2" represents the second threshold of the SOC (for example, 30%). Figure 2 "Execution" shown indicates that when the driver operates to brake the vehicle S, the control device 17 executes the process corresponding to this operation, "Insufficient" indicates that when the braking force for braking the vehicle S is insufficient, the control device 17 executes the mechanical braking process, and "Stop" indicates that the control device 17 does not execute the process.

[0046] When braking the vehicle S, for example, when the SOC of the power storage device 16 that stores the electricity generated by the motor 5 is less than the threshold TH1, the control device 17 executes the regenerative braking process with the suction device 12 stopped. For example, in Figure 2 when braking the vehicle S at the time P0 shown, the control device 17 determines that the SOC obtained from the power storage device 16 is less than TH1. And the control device 17 determines, for example, the braking force corresponding to the depression amount of the brake pedal operated by the driver of the vehicle S, and executes the regenerative braking process with the suction device 12 stopped, thereby generating this braking force.

[0047] By operating the control device 17 as described above, when the SOC of the power storage device 16 decreases, the control device 17 performs regenerative braking processing to brake the vehicle S, thereby increasing the SOC. As a result, the control device 17 can suppress the deterioration of the power storage device 16. In addition, at Figure 2 the time P0 shown, when the determined braking force is greater than the maximum value of the braking force that can be generated by the regenerative braking processing, the control device 17 can also perform the regenerative braking processing and the mechanical braking processing, and operate the suction device 12.

[0048] For example, when the control device 17 brakes the vehicle S, after the SOC reaches the threshold value TH1, and when it is equal to or higher than the threshold value TH2 lower than the threshold value TH1, the control device 17 performs the mechanical braking processing and operates the suction device 12. For example, in Figure 2 the case of braking the vehicle S at the time P1 shown, after the SOC reaches the threshold value TH1 at the time T1, the control device 17 determines that the current SOC included in the time P1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value TH2. And the control device 17 determines, for example, the braking force corresponding to the depression amount of the brake pedal operated by the driver of the vehicle S, generates the braking force by performing the mechanical braking processing, and operates the suction device 12.

[0049] By operating the control device 17 as described above, the control device 17 can reduce the SOC by operating the suction device 12 when braking the vehicle S, and can capture the brake dust generated with the execution of the mechanical braking processing. As a result, the control device 17 can suppress the deterioration of the power storage device 16 and can suppress the scattering of brake dust during the running of the vehicle S.

[0050] Return Figure 1 , and the notification device 18 is a device for notifying the driver of the vehicle S whether the brake dust collection system 10 is in an abnormal state. The abnormal state is, for example, a state where brake dust adheres to the filter provided in the collection device 15 and causes clogging of the filter, or a state where the suction device 12 has difficulty in sucking air from the cover body 11. The notification device 18 notifies, for example, the driver of the vehicle S that an abnormality has occurred in the collection device 15 when the negative pressure of the suction device 12 detected by the control device 17 from the negative pressure sensor 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure. The predetermined negative pressure is a negative pressure determined by experiments or simulations.

[0051] When the notification device 18 obtains, for example, negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure of the suction device 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure from the control device 17, a warning image indicating that the trapping device 15 is in an abnormal state is displayed on the instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle S. The warning image includes, for example, an icon image or text data indicating a recommendation to replace or clean the filter provided in the trapping device 15. When the notification device 18 obtains negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure of the suction device 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure from the control device 17, a warning sound indicating that the trapping device 15 is in an abnormal state may also be emitted from a speaker (not shown) of the vehicle S.

[0052] When the notification device 18 obtains, for example, negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure of the suction device 12 is less than a predetermined negative pressure from the control device 17, the notification device 18 performs a process of not displaying the displayed warning image or does not perform a process of displaying the warning image. When the notification device 18 obtains negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure of the suction device 12 is less than a predetermined negative pressure from the control device 17, the notification device 18 may also perform a process of stopping the emitted warning sound or does not perform a process of emitting the warning sound. By operating the notification device 18 as described above, the notification device 18 can notify the driver of the vehicle S of the replacement or cleaning of the filter provided in the trapping device 15 at an appropriate timing.

[0053] However, in Figure 1 As an example of the axle 7, the drive axle of the vehicle S, i.e., the axle 7, is shown. However, the vehicle S may sometimes have one or more other axles 7. In this case, wheels 8, braking devices 9, and covers 11 are provided at the ends of each axle 7. Moreover, the load during braking of the vehicle S is greater on the axle 7 provided in the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle S (hereinafter referred to as the "front axle") than on the axle 7 provided in the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle S (hereinafter referred to as the "rear axle"). Therefore, the braking device 9 provided on the front axle generates a greater amount of brake dust when the vehicle S brakes than the braking device 9 provided on the rear axle.

[0054] Therefore, in the brake dust trapping system 10, the suction device 12, the suction path 14, and the trapping device 15 may be provided on the front axle and the rear axle, respectively. Moreover, the brake dust trapping system 10 may cause the suction device 12 to generate a suction force corresponding to the amount of brake dust on the front axle and the rear axle, respectively, or a filter having a size corresponding to the amount of brake dust may be installed in the trapping device 15.

[0055] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing the vehicle S that traps brake dust for each axle 7. Figure 3 The vehicle S shown and Figure 1The difference of the vehicle S shown is that it has a front axle 7a, wheels 8a, wheels 8b, braking devices 9a, braking devices 9b, covers 11a, covers 11b, a first suction device 12a, a first negative pressure sensor 13a, a first suction path 14a, and a first trapping device 15a, and is the same in other aspects. Figure 3 The rear axle 7b shown and Figure 1 the axle 7 shown are the same, Figure 3 the second suction device 12b shown and Figure 1 the suction device 12 shown are the same, Figure 3 the second negative pressure sensor 13b shown and Figure 1 the negative pressure sensor 13 shown are the same, Figure 3 the second suction path 14b shown and Figure 1 the suction path 14 shown are the same, Figure 3 the second trapping device 15b shown and Figure 1 the trapping device 15 shown are the same. On Figure 3 the cover 11a shown, an opening 110a is provided, and on the cover 11b, an opening 110b is provided.

[0056] As Figure 3 shown, the brake dust collection system 10 has, for example, a first suction device 12a and a second suction device 12b as the suction device 12. The first suction device 12a is, for example, a device that sucks brake dust generated inside the covers 11a and 11b provided on the front axle 7a of the vehicle S through the first suction path 14a. The second suction device 12b is, for example, a device that sucks brake dust generated inside the covers 11c and 11d provided on the rear axle 7b of the vehicle S through the second suction path 14b. And, the first suction device 12a sucks brake dust with a suction force greater than the suction force of the second suction device 12b for sucking brake dust.

[0057] By operating in this way with the brake dust collection system 10, the suction device 12 can increase the suction force sucked from the cover 11 that covers the braking device 9 with a large braking load for braking the vehicle S among the plurality of braking devices 9 provided in the vehicle S. As a result, the more the amount of brake dust contained in the air, the more the suction force can be increased, so that the brake dust can be appropriately collected.

[0058] The brake dust collection system 10 has, for example, a first collection device 15a and a second collection device 15b as the collection device 15. The first collection device 15a is, for example, a device that is provided between the confluence point G1 and the first suction device 12a in the first suction path 14a and collects the brake dust sucked from the interiors of the covers 11a and 11b provided on the front axle 7a of the vehicle S. The second collection device 15b is, for example, a device that is provided between the confluence point G2 and the second suction device 12b in the second suction path 14b and collects the brake dust sucked from the interiors of the covers 11c and 11d provided on the rear axle 7b of the vehicle S. Moreover, a filter that is larger than the filter for collecting brake dust mounted on the second collection device 15b is mounted on the first collection device 15a. The amount of brake dust sucked from the interiors of the covers 11a and 11b is larger than the amount of brake dust sucked from the interiors of the covers 11c and 11d. Therefore, by making the size of the filter mounted on the first collection device 15a larger than the size of the filter mounted on the second collection device 15b, the brake dust collection system 10 can mount a filter having an adsorption amount corresponding to the amount of brake dust on the collection device 15. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can make the timings at which the negative pressure rises due to clogging in each filter closer to each other.

[0059] Moreover, when the negative pressure detected by the first negative pressure sensor 13a is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 notifies the driver of the vehicle S that an abnormality has occurred in the first collection device 15a. When the negative pressure detected by the second negative pressure sensor 13b is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 notifies the driver of the vehicle S that an abnormality has occurred in the second collection device 15b. For example, when the negative pressure of the first suction device 12a detected by the first negative pressure sensor 13a is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 displays a first warning image indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first collection device 15a on the instrument panel. For example, when the negative pressure of the second suction device 12b detected by the second negative pressure sensor 13b is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 displays a second warning image indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the second collection device 15b on the instrument panel.

[0060] In the brake dust collection system 10, the timings at which the negative pressure rises due to clogging in each filter can be made close to each other. Therefore, when the notification device 18 notifies the driver of the replacement or cleaning of the filter for each filter, the timings of the notifications for each filter can be made close to each other. Specifically, in the brake dust collection system 10, the timings at which the negative pressure rises due to clogging in the filter installed in the collection device 15a and the timings at which the negative pressure rises due to clogging in the filter installed in the collection device 15b can be made close to each other. Therefore, the timings for notifying the replacement or cleaning of the filter installed in the collection device 15a and the timings for notifying the replacement or cleaning of the filter installed in the collection device 15b can be made close to each other. Also, it is easy for the driver to perform the replacement or cleaning of each filter at the same timing. Further, in the brake dust collection system 10, even when the vehicle S has a plurality of axles 7, one suction device 12 and one collection device 15 can be used to collect the brake dust.

[0061] <Processing sequence in the control device 17> Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the processing sequence in the control device 17. Figure 4 The shown processing sequence represents Figure 1 the processing sequence of the operation in which the control device 17 shown brakes the vehicle S by performing at least any one of the mechanical braking process and the regenerative braking process. Figure 4 The shown processing sequence starts from the state in which the vehicle S travels at Figure 2 the moment included in the time P0 shown.

[0062] The control device 17 determines whether braking force for braking the vehicle S is required (S11). For example, when the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time of executing step S11 is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that braking force is required, and when the depression amount is 0 at the time of executing step S11, the control device 17 determines that braking force is not required. In the case where it is determined that braking force is not required (No in S11), the control device 17 repeats step S11. In the case where it is determined that braking force is required (Yes in S11), the control device 17 starts executing the regenerative braking process (S12).

[0063] Next, the control device 17 determines whether further braking force is required (S13). For example, when the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time of executing step S13 is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is required, and when the depression amount is 0 at the time of executing step S13, the control device 17 determines that braking force is not required. In the case where it is determined that further braking force is not required (No in S13), the control device 17 ends the regenerative braking process (S14), and ends Figure 4The processing shown. When it is determined that further braking force is required (Yes in S13), the control device 17 determines whether the SOC of the power storage device 16 is equal to or higher than the threshold TH1 (S15).

[0064] When the SOC of the power storage device 16 is less than the threshold TH1 (No in S15), the control device 17 returns to step S12 and continues to execute the regenerative braking process. When the SOC of the power storage device 16 is equal to or higher than the threshold TH1 (Yes in S15), the control device 17 ends the regenerative braking process (S16), starts to execute the mechanical braking process (S17), and operates the suction device 12 (S18).

[0065] Next, the control device 17 determines whether further braking force is required (S19). For example, when the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time of executing step S19 is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is required, and when the depression amount is 0 at the time of executing step S19, the control device 17 determines that no braking force is required. When it is determined that no further braking force is required (No in S19), the control device 17 ends the mechanical braking process and stops the suction device 12 (S20). And the control device 17 ends Figure 4 The processing shown. When it is determined that further braking force is required (Yes in S19), the control device 17 determines whether the SOC of the power storage device 16 is less than the threshold TH2 (S21).

[0066] When the SOC of the power storage device 16 is equal to or higher than the threshold TH2 (No in S21), the control device 17 returns to step S17 and continues to execute the mechanical braking process. When the SOC of the power storage device 16 is less than the threshold TH2 (Yes in S21), the control device 17 ends the mechanical braking process and stops the suction device 12 (S22). And the control device 17 returns to step S12 and starts to execute the regenerative braking process.

[0067] <Effect of the brake dust collection system 10> As described above, the brake dust collection system 10 includes: a covering body 11 for covering a braking device 9 provided at an end of an axle 7 of a vehicle S; a suction device 12 for sucking brake dust generated inside the covering body 11 through a suction path 14 from an opening 110 provided in the covering body 11; a control device 17 for operating the suction device 12 in a state where the braking device 9 brakes a wheel 8 provided at an end of the axle 7 while the vehicle S is running; and a collection device 15 provided between the opening 110 and the suction device 12 in the suction path 14 for collecting the brake dust sucked by the suction device 12.

[0068] By configuring the brake dust collection system 10 in this way, the brake dust collection system 10 can confine the brake dust generated by the braking device 9 when braking a traveling vehicle S within the space surrounded by the covering body 11. Also, in the brake dust collection system 10, when the vehicle S is braked, the suction device 12 sucks from the opening 110 provided in the covering body 11, whereby the collection device 15 can collect the brake dust during the travel of the vehicle S. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can suppress the scattering of brake dust during the travel of the vehicle S.

[0069] As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the device can be functionally or physically dispersed and integrated in any unit. In addition, new embodiments generated by any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments generated by the combination simultaneously have the effects of the original embodiments.

Claims

1. A brake dust collection system, characterized in that, It has: A covering body for covering a braking device provided at an end of each axle of a vehicle; A suction device that sucks dust generated inside each of the covering bodies through a suction path from an opening provided on each of the covering bodies; A control device that causes the suction device to operate in a state where the braking device brakes a wheel mounted on the end of the axle while the vehicle is running; And A trapping device provided between the opening and the suction device in the suction path to trap the dust sucked by each of the suction devices.

2. The brake dust collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device causes the suction device to operate when performing the first braking process of braking the wheel by the braking device and the first braking process among the first braking process of braking the wheel by the braking device and the second braking process of braking the wheel by an electric motor that rotates the axle.

3. The brake dust collection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the charging rate of a power storage device that stores the electricity generated by the electric motor is less than a first threshold value, the control device performs the second braking process in a state where the suction device is stopped.

4. The brake dust collection system according to claim 3, wherein, After the charging rate reaches the first threshold value and is equal to or higher than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, the control device performs the first braking process and causes the suction device to operate.

5. The brake dust collection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The suction device is driven by being supplied with the electricity stored in the power storage device.

6. The brake dust collection system according to claim 1, wherein It further has a notification device that notifies a driver of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the trapping device when the negative pressure of the suction device is equal to or higher than a predetermined negative pressure.

7. The brake dust collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the covering body or on a portion of the covering body that faces the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle.

8. The braking dust trapping system according to claim 1, wherein: As a plurality of the trapping devices, it has: a first trapping device that traps the dust sucked from inside the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle; and a second trapping device that traps the dust sucked from inside the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle. The size of a filter for trapping the dust provided in the first trapping device is larger than the size of the filter provided in the second trapping device.

9. The braking dust trapping system according to claim 1, wherein: As a plurality of the suction devices, it has: a first suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle; and a second suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle. The suction force of the first suction device for sucking the dust is greater than the suction force of the second suction device for sucking the dust.

10. The brake dust collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control device causes the suction device to operate when the depression amount of a brake pedal provided in the vehicle is greater than a predetermined depression amount.

11. The brake dust collection system according to claim 2, wherein When the braking force corresponding to the depression amount of the brake pedal of the vehicle is greater than the maximum value of the braking force generated by the second braking process, the control device executes the first braking process and the second braking process, or the first braking process, and operates the suction device.

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