FILTER IDENTIFICATION IN A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING BRAKE PARTICLES AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A FILTER IN A FRICTION BRAKE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for capturing brake particles of a friction braking system, which comprises a vacuum source, a pneumatic circuit which connects the friction braking system to the vacuum source, and a current filter located on the pneumatic circuit and mounted on a support. FR3057040A1 describes a brake assembly with particle capture.

[0002] Such friction braking systems can be used on road or rail vehicles. Such friction braking systems can also be used on stationary rotor machines such as wind turbines or industrial machinery.

[0003] In such systems, a vacuum source (e.g., a motor-driven suction turbine) is provided, which is connected by a pneumatic circuit to the friction braking system, and a filter for collecting the particles emitted by the braking system. This filter is placed upstream of the vacuum source and prevents particles from passing through the vacuum source and being released into the atmosphere. However, in certain situations, the current filter (i.e., the filter currently installed in the system) does not have the same characteristics (e.g., it is a different model or brand) as the reference filter, which is the filter suitable for the collection system. This difference in at least one of the characteristics is detrimental because the current filter may not operate as efficiently as the reference filter. The current filter is then unsuitable. Description de l'invention

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0005] The invention aims to propose a braking particle capture system which makes it possible to ensure that the current filter is identical to the reference filter.

[0006] This aim is achieved by the fact that the capture system comprises a control unit and a filter identification device which is capable of sending a signal to the control unit, the signal comprising at least one current characteristic of the current filter, the control unit being capable of comparing the at least one current characteristic with at least one reference characteristic of a reference filter, and of informing a user when the at least one current characteristic and said at least one reference characteristic are dissimilar.

[0007] By means of these provisions, the current filter is identified with certainty, and its relevant characteristic(s) are compared with those of a reference filter, which is the filter that must be installed in the capture system. Consequently, when at least one of these characteristics of the filter currently installed in the capture system is not identical to that of the reference filter, the user is informed. The user can then act to prevent the vehicle or stationary machine from continuing to operate with an unsuitable filter. This user action is normally the replacement of this unsuitable filter with a suitable filter identical to the reference filter.

[0008] For example, the current characteristic of the current filter is unique and the reference characteristic of the reference filter is unique

[0009] Advantageously, a portion of the identification device contains the at least one current characteristic of the current filter, this portion being carried by the current filter.

[0010] This increases the reliability of current filter identification.

[0011] The invention also relates to a method for identifying a filter in a braking particle capture system of a friction braking system, this capture system comprising a vacuum source, a pneumatic circuit which connects the friction braking system to the vacuum source, a current filter which is located on the pneumatic circuit and which is mounted on a support.

[0012] According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: (a) A control unit and a current filter identification device are provided as part of the capture system; (b) The identification device sends at least one signal to the control unit, this signal comprising at least one current characteristic of the current filter; (c) The control unit compares the at least one current characteristic with at least one reference characteristic of a reference filter, and informs a user when the at least one current characteristic and the at least one reference characteristic are dissimilar.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic view of a capture system according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing carrying a filter, and an embodiment of a device for detecting this filter in the system for capturing the figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a perspective view of a housing carrying a filter, and of another embodiment of a device for detecting this filter in the system for capturing the figure 1 . Description détaillée de l'invention

[0014] There figure 1 schematically shows a particle capture system 1 according to the invention, these particles being emitted by a friction braking system 10.

[0015] This friction braking system 10 comprises a brake pad 11 for braking a vehicle. This pad 11 comprises a sole 12 and a lining 13 made of friction material fixed on the sole 12. On the figure 1 , plate 10 is seen from below, sole 1 being in the foreground.

[0016] The pad 11 (first pad) is opposite a disc 9 which is driven by the wheel of the vehicle. A second identical pad (not visible) is located on the other side of the disc 9 and opposite the first pad 11 so that these two pads sandwich the disc 9. The braking of the disc 9 is carried out by friction of the two linings (13) against the disc 9 when these two pads approach the disc 9.

[0017] The capture system 1 comprises a pneumatic circuit 30 and a vacuum source 20. The plate 11 and the second plate are connected to the vacuum source 20 via this pneumatic circuit 30. For example, the vacuum source 20 comprises an electric motor 21 and a suction turbine 22 which is driven by this electric motor 21.

[0018] In operation, the vacuum source 20 is capable of sucking up the particles from their emission by the fittings (13) and through the pneumatic circuit 30. The direction of circulation of the air and the particles is indicated by the arrow F on the figure 1 . The capture system 1 further comprises a filter 40 which is located on the circuit 30, that is to say that it is crossed by the air which circulates in the circuit 30. This filter 40 is mounted on a support 41. For example, the support 41 is a housing in which the filter 40 is housed, as shown in the figures. Thus, the filter 40 separates the housing 41 into an upstream part and a downstream part. The air coming from the upstream part of the circuit 30 enters the housing 41 at the upstream end of the housing 41, passes through the filter 40, and leaves the housing 41 at the downstream end of the housing 41 to enter the downstream part of the circuit 30. The term "current filter" refers to the filter 40 which is actually mounted on the support 41 during operation of the vacuum source 20.

[0019] The capture system 1 further comprises a control unit 60 and a detection device 50 for the filter 40. The control unit 60 receives signals from the detection device 50 (which comprises an element for generating and sending these signals), and is also capable of controlling the depression source 20 and receiving information therefrom. These interactions between the control unit 60, the detection device 50, and the depression source 20 are shown schematically in the figure 1 by continuous lines. These interactions can be carried out by electric lines. The operation of this control unit 60 and this detection device 50 is described below.

[0020] The control unit 60 and the identification device 50 make it possible to determine whether the current filter 40 is identical to or different from a reference filter 49. The reference filter 49 is, for example, the filter that was initially installed on the vehicle or stationary machine. It is then called the initial filter. This reference filter 49 is shown schematically in dotted lines on the figure 1 . This filter is thus a filter of a certain type and / or a certain brand, and which has a certain number of 49-R characteristics. The current filter has a certain number of 40-A characteristics. By "characteristic", we mean for example a characteristic value of a measurement taken on this filter. This value can be a geometric dimension of the filter, a density of the filtering material, a filtration efficiency of the filter, a measurement of the pressure drop through the filter, an extent of the developed surface of the filtration media, the number of superimposed layers of the filtration media. This characteristic can also be a shape of the filter. For example, these characteristics are those which are expected of the filter for proper operation of the capture system 1. These characteristics 40-A and 49-R are indicated schematically on the figure 1 as being integrated (received and / or stored) into the control unit 60.

[0021] In operation of the capture system 1, the identification device 50 sends at least one signal to the control unit 60. By "at least one signal" is meant the emission of either a continuous signal, or a signal at regular intervals, or a one-off signal. This signal comprises at least one current characteristic 40-A of the current filter 40. The control unit 60 stores in memory at least one reference characteristic 49-R of a reference filter 49. If there is only one characteristic 40-A, the reference characteristic 49-R is linked to the characteristic 40-A in such a way that if the current filter 40 and the reference filter 49 are identical, the characteristic 40-A is substantially equal to the reference characteristic 49-R. By "substantially equal" is meant that the characteristic is located in a reduced interval around the reference characteristic.For example, this interval is + / - 1%, or + / - 2%, or + / - 5%, or + / - 10% of the value of the reference characteristic. If there are a plurality of N characteristics 40-A (40-A(1), 40-A(2)... 40-A(N) with N integer), then there are a plurality of N characteristics 49-R (49-R(1), 49-R(2), ... 49-R(N)), and each of the reference characteristics 49-R(n), with n integer between 1 and N, is related to the characteristic 40-A(n) such that if the current filter 40 and the reference filter 49 are identical, the characteristic 40-A(n) is substantially equal to the reference characteristic 49-R(n). The control unit 60, upon receiving the signal comprising the current characteristic(s) 40-A, compares this or these characteristics with the characteristic(s) 49-R. Thus, if there is only one characteristic 40-A, the control unit 60 compares the characteristics 40-A and 49-R.If there is a plurality of N characteristics 40-A(n), the control unit 60 compares the characteristics 40-A(n) and 49-R(n) two by two, for each of the integers n between 1 and N. If at least one of the current characteristics 40-A and the reference characteristics 49-R, at the end of this or these comparisons, are dissimilar (i.e. not substantially equal), then the control unit 60 informs the user that the current filter 40 is not a suitable filter (because it is not identical to the reference filter 49).

[0022] This information can be provided by any means, for example by displaying on the dashboard of the vehicle a text such as “Inappropriate filter”, or a logo or an indicator light, and / or for example by stimulating the user by vibrations using a vibratory system located in the seat and controlled by the control unit 60. In addition, this information can be accompanied by a limitation of the speed of the vehicle, using a limiter 70 which is controlled by the control unit 60 ( figure 1 ). As a result, the generation of particles during braking is reduced, and the diffusion of these harmful particles into the depression source 20 is also reduced.

[0023] An embodiment of the identification device 50 of the filter 40 is described below, with reference to the figure 2 .

[0024] The identification device 50 comprises a contactless detector 52 and an identifier (target) 42 which is carried by the filter 40. The contactless detector 52 is capable of detecting the identifier 42 in a certain volume V 0 around this detector 54. This detection is carried out for example with RFID technology. RFID technology groups together the technologies where the identifier is remotely powered by the detector. The contactless detector 52 is fixed near the filter 40, that is to say that the identifier 42 is located in the volume V 0 around the contactless detector 54. The identifier 42 is specific to the current filter 40, and comprises in memory the characteristic(s) 40-A of the current filter 40.

[0025] The contactless detector 52 is fixed on the conduit 30 upstream or downstream of the support 41 such that the contactless detector 52 is located at a distance D 1 from the identifier 42 when the support 41 carrying the filter 40 is mounted on the conduit 30. In this case the contactless detector 52 sends a signal to the control unit 60, this signal containing the characteristic(s) 40-A of the current filter 40. The control unit 60, upon receipt of this signal, compares the characteristic(s) 40-A with the characteristic(s) 49-R.

[0026] In another embodiment, illustrated in figure 3 , the contactless detector 52 is fixed on the support 41 (for example it is placed in the housing when the support 41 is a housing), and the identifier 42 is carried by the filter 40, such that the contactless detector 54 is located at a distance D 2 (less than D 1 ) from the identifier 42 when the filter 40 is mounted on the support 41.

[0027] The identification device 50 comprises a portion (for example the identifier 42) which contains the characteristics 40-A of the current filter 40. When this portion is carried by this filter 40, the capture system 1 is able to determine whether the filter 40 is distinct from the reference filter 49 even in the case where the support 41 which is mounted on the conduit 30 is identical to a support carrying the reference filter 49 but where an unsuitable filter 40 (therefore different from the reference filter 49) is mounted (by mistake or deliberately) on this support 41. In the above cases, this portion is the identifier 42.

[0028] In the case where it is the holder 41 which carries the portion of the identification device 50 which contains the characteristics of the filter intended to be received in this holder 41 (i.e. the filter adapted for this holder), and where the filter 40 actually mounted in the holder 41 is the filter which is adapted for this holder 41, the signal which is sent to the control unit 60 contains the correct information of the filter 40 mounted in the holder 41. However, a problem occurs when the filter 40 actually mounted in the holder 41 (by mistake or deliberately) is not the filter adapted for this holder 41. Indeed, in this case the filter actually mounted in the holder 41 does not have the characteristics of the filter 40 adapted for this holder 41.The identification device 50 will then send to the control unit 60 a signal which contains the characteristics of the filter 40 adapted for this support 41, while the filter actually mounted in this support 41 does not have these characteristics. This results in a problem since the support 41 can be adapted, but the filter 40 actually mounted on the support 41 is unsuitable and the user will not be informed that this filter 40 is unsuitable. This problem is avoided when the portion of the identification device 50 which contains the characteristics 40-A of the current filter 40 is carried directly by this filter 40. This constitutes additional security.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method for identifying a filter 40 in a system 1 for capturing braking particles of a friction braking system 10. As described above, this capture system 1 comprises a vacuum source 20, a pneumatic circuit 30 which connects the friction braking system 10 to the vacuum source 20, a current filter 40 which is located on the pneumatic circuit 30 and which is mounted on a support 41. The method comprises the following steps: (a) A control unit 60 and an identification device 50 of the current filter 40 are provided, which are part of the capture system 1; (b) The identification device 50 sends at least one signal to the control unit 60, this signal comprising at least one current characteristic 40-A of the current filter 40; (c) The control unit 60 compares the at least one current characteristic 40-A with at least one reference characteristic 49-R of a reference filter 49, and informs a user when the at least one current characteristic 40-A and the at least one reference characteristic 49-R are dissimilar.

Claims

1. System for capturing (1) braking particles from a friction brake system (10), which comprises a vacuum source (20), a pneumatic circuit (30) that connects said friction brake system (10) to said vacuum source (20), and a current filter (40) located on said pneumatic circuit (30) and mounted on a support (41), characterized in that said capturing system (1) comprises a control unit (60) and an identification device (50) for identifying said filter (40), which is capable of sending at least one signal to said control unit (60), said signal comprising at least one current characteristic (40-A) of said current filter (40), said control unit (60) being capable of comparing said at least one current characteristic (40-A) with at least one reference characteristic (49-R) of a reference filter (49), and informing a user when said at least one current characteristic (40-A) and said at least one reference characteristic (49-R) are dissimilar.

2. Capturing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said current characteristic (40-A) of the current filter (40) is unique and the reference characteristic (49-R) of the reference filter (49) is unique.

3. Capturing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a portion (42) of said identification device (50) contains the at least one current characteristic (40-A) of the current filter (40), this portion (42) being carried by said current filter (40).

4. Method for identifying a filter (40) in a system (1) for capturing braking particles from a friction brake system (10), this capturing system (1) comprising a vacuum source (20), a pneumatic circuit (30) that connects the friction brake system (10) to the vacuum source (20), and a current filter (40) which is located on said pneumatic circuit (30) and which is mounted on a support (41), said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) Providing a control unit (60) and an identification device (50) for identifying said current filter (40), as part of the capturing system (1); (b) Sending, by said identification device (50), at least one signal to the control unit (60), this signal comprising at least one current characteristic (40-A) of said current filter (40); (c) Comparing, by said control unit (60), said at least one current characteristic (40-A) with at least one reference characteristic (49-R) of a reference filter (49), and informing a user when the at least one current characteristic (40-A) and the at least one reference characteristic (49-R) are dissimilar.