Brake dust collection system

Abstract

To suppress scattering of brake dust while a vehicle is running.SOLUTION: A brake dust collection system 10 comprises: a covering body 11 which covers a brake device 9 provided at an end portion of an axle 7 of a vehicle S; a suction device 12 which sucks brake dust generated inside the covering body 11 through a suction passage 14 from an opening section 110 provided in the covering body 11; a brake device 17 which activates the suction device 12 when the brake device 9 is braking a wheel 8 mounted on the end portion of the axle 7 while the vehicle S is traveling; and a collection device 15 which is provided in the suction passage 14 between the opening section 110 and the suction device 12 and collects the brake dust sucked by the sucking device 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The brake dust cleaner in Patent Document 1 sprays a fluid into the inside of a cover that covers the brake drum or brake disc, and then collects brake dust by sucking up the dust that has scattered inside the cover through an opening in the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-183717 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the brake dust cleaners described above are used after a stopped vehicle is lifted and the tires are removed from the vehicle, they cannot collect brake dust while the vehicle is moving, which results in the problem of brake dust being dispersed into the air when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is moving.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has as its object to suppress the scattering of brake dust while a vehicle is running. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A brake dust collection system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cover for covering a braking device provided at the end of a vehicle axle, a suction device that sucks up dust generated inside the cover from an opening provided in the cover through a suction path, a control device that activates the suction device when the braking device is braking the wheel attached to the end of the axle while the vehicle is moving, and a collection device that is provided in the suction path between the opening and the suction device and collects the dust sucked up by the suction device.

[0007] The control device may activate the suction device when executing the first braking process, between a first braking process in which the braking device brakes the wheel and a second braking process in which the motor that rotates the axle brakes the wheel.

[0008] The control device may execute the second braking process with the suction device stopped when a charge rate of a power storage device that stores electricity generated by the motor is less than a first threshold value.

[0009] The control device may execute the first braking process and activate the suction device when the charging rate is equal to or higher than a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold after reaching the first threshold.

[0010] The suction device may be driven by being supplied with electricity stored in the power storage device.

[0011] The vehicle may further include an alarm device that, when the negative pressure of the suction device is equal to or greater than a predetermined negative pressure, notifies the driver of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the collection device.

[0012] The opening may be provided on an outer peripheral surface of the cover, or on a portion of the cover facing the center of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction.

[0013] The collection device may include a first collection device that collects the dust sucked from inside the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle, and a second collection device that collects the dust sucked from inside the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle, and the size of the filter for collecting the dust provided in the first collection device may be larger than the size of the filter provided in the second collection device.

[0014] The suction device may include a first suction device that sucks up the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the front axle of the vehicle, and a second suction device that sucks up the dust generated inside the covering body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle, and the suction force with which the first suction device sucks up the dust may be greater than the suction force with which the second suction device sucks up the dust. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the scattering of brake dust while the vehicle is running. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle S according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a control device 17 based on the SOC of a power storage device 16. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle S in which brake dust is collected for each axle 7. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the control device 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <Overview of Vehicle S> Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a vehicle S according to this embodiment. The vehicle S shown in Fig. 1 includes a charging port 1, an engine 2, a crankshaft 3, a power transmission device 4, multiple motors 5 (motor 5a, motor 5b), a final reduction gear 6, an axle 7, multiple wheels 8 (wheel 8c, wheel 8d), multiple braking devices 9 (brake device 9c, brake device 9d), and a brake dust collection system 10. The brake dust collection system 10 includes multiple covers 11 (covers 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.

[0018] The vehicle S is an EV (Electric Vehicle) equipped with a drive source that receives a supply of electricity 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 Fig. 1, a PHEV is shown as an example of the vehicle S.

[0019] Charging port 1 is a socket for supplying electricity from outside vehicle S to power storage device 16. As an example, the driver of vehicle S stops vehicle S at a location where a power feeding device is installed (a so-called charging station) and connects the tip of a power feeding cable provided in the power feeding device to charging port 1, thereby allowing electricity output from the power feeding device to be charged into power storage device 16.

[0020] The engine 2 is the driving source of the vehicle S, and is an internal combustion engine that generates power by burning and expanding a mixture of fuel and intake air (air). The crankshaft 3 is an axis that converts the reciprocating motion of pistons (not shown) in the engine 2 into 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 that corresponds to the state of the vehicle S while it is running and the operation of the driver, and transmits it to the final reduction gear 6.

[0021] The motor 5 is a drive source for the vehicle S, and is, for example, an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. The motor 5 generates power by rotating a rotor provided inside the stator as a result of electricity supplied from the power storage device 16 via, for example, an inverter (not shown) switching the direction of magnetic force of the stator. When braking the vehicle S, the motor 5 supplies 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. FIG. 1 shows an operation in which the motor 5a generates power and the motor 5b generates electricity by executing regenerative braking, but the motors 5a and 5b may generate power when driving the vehicle S and generate electricity when braking the vehicle S.

[0022] The final reduction gear 6 includes a final gear that reduces the power (rotational speed) received from the power transmission 4, and a differential gear that converts the power reduced by the final gear into power (rotational motion) for each wheel 8 based on the actual steering angle of the vehicle S. The axles 7 are shafts that support the wheels 8 at both ends of the vehicle S in the vehicle width direction. In FIG. 1, the axles 7 are shown as drive shafts that rotate the wheels 8 using the rotational motion received from the final reduction gear 6, but the vehicle S may also be provided with axles 7 other than the drive axles. The wheels 8 are provided on the axles 7 at the ends of the vehicle S in the vehicle width direction, and include wheels that rotate with the rotation of the axles 7, and tires mounted on the outer peripheries of the wheels. When the vehicle S is provided with multiple axles 7, the wheels 8 are provided, for example, on each axle 7 at the end of the vehicle S in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The braking device 9 is provided at the end of each axle 7 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle S, and is a device that brakes the vehicle S by braking the rotation of the axle 7, and is a so-called drum brake or disc brake. If the braking device 9 is a drum brake, it includes a brake shoe for pressing against the brake drum, and if it is a disc brake, it includes a brake disc that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the axle 7 and a brake pad that presses against the brake disc from the vehicle width direction. In the braking device 9, when the brake shoe presses against the brake drum or the brake pad presses against the brake disc to brake the vehicle S, dust (so-called brake dust) is generated.

[0024] The brake dust collection system 10 is a system for collecting brake dust generated when a braking device 9 brakes a traveling vehicle S. In the vehicle S, the brake dust collection system 10 collects brake dust while the vehicle S is traveling, thereby preventing the brake dust from being dispersed into the atmosphere. The configuration and operation of the brake dust collection system 10 will now be described in detail.

[0025] <Configuration of brake dust collection system 10> The cover 11 is a member for covering the braking device 9 provided at the end of the axle 7 of the vehicle S. If the braking device 9 is a drum brake, the cover 11 may be a brake drum and a back plate included in the drum brake. The cover 11 prevents the brake dust generated when the braking device 9 brakes the rotation of the axle 7 from being dispersed into the atmosphere by confining the brake dust within the space surrounded by the cover 11. A cover 11 is provided for each braking device 9 provided on the vehicle S, but for ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows only cover 11c covering braking device 9c and cover 11d covering braking device 9d out of the multiple covers 11 provided on the vehicle S.

[0026] An opening 110 (opening 110c, opening 110d in FIG. 1) is provided in each cover 11. The opening 110 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 11, or in a portion of the cover 11 facing the center of the vehicle S in the vehicle width direction. By providing the openings 110 in this manner, the brake dust collection system 10 can provide the suction path 14 so as not to come into contact with the wheels 8.

[0027] The suction device 12 sucks brake dust generated inside the cover 11 through an opening 110 provided in the cover 11 and via a suction path 14. The suction device 12 is driven, for example, by electricity stored in the power storage device 16. As an example, the suction device 12 has a motor equipped with a fan, and generates negative pressure (a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the suction device 12) by rotating the motor using electricity supplied from the power storage device 16 and pushing air out of the suction device 12. As another example, the suction device 12 has a pump, and generates negative pressure by operating the pump using electricity supplied from the power storage device 16 and pushing air out of the suction device 12. The suction device 12 then uses the generated negative pressure to suck air from the space surrounded by the cover 11, thereby sucking in brake dust contained in the air.

[0028] The negative pressure sensor 13 detects the negative pressure generated by the suction device 12 and outputs the detected negative pressure to the control device 17 at a predetermined control period. The predetermined control period is, for example, one second. The suction path 14 is a flow path through which air containing brake dust flows as the suction device 12 suctions the brake dust from each cover 11. The suction path 14 includes branch flow paths through which air flows from the openings 110 provided in each cover 11 to the junction G2, and a merging flow path through which air flows from the junction G2 to the suction device 12. FIG. 1 shows a first branch flow path through which air flows from the opening 110c to the junction G2, a second branch flow path through which air flows from the opening 110d to the junction G2, and a merging flow path through which air flows from the junction G2 to the suction device 12. A collector 15 is provided in the merging flow path downstream of the junction G2 and upstream of the suction device 12.

[0029] The collector 15 is provided in the suction path 14 between the junction G2 downstream of the opening 110 and the suction device 12, and collects the brake dust sucked by the suction device 12. The collector 15 has, for example, a filter for collecting brake dust, and collects the brake dust by having the brake dust contained in the air flowing through the suction path 14 adhere to the filter as it is sucked in by the suction device 12.

[0030] The power storage device 16 has, for example, a chargeable and dischargeable storage battery, and supplies electricity to the motor 5 (motor 5a in FIG. 1) and the suction device 12. The power storage device 16 is charged with electricity generated, for example, when the motor 5 (motor 5b in FIG. 1) performs regenerative braking when braking the vehicle S. The power storage device 16 may be charged with electricity supplied from an external power supply device via 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.

[0031] The control device 17 is a device including, for example, one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control device 17 executes, for example, a braking process for braking the vehicle S, and a process for activating the suction device 12 for collecting 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.

[0032] The control device 17 activates the suction device 12 when the braking device 9 is braking the wheels 8 attached to the ends of the axles 7 while the vehicle S is traveling. For example, the control device 17 activates the suction device 12 when it receives a signal that the driver of the vehicle S has operated the brake pedal while the vehicle S is traveling. As an example, the control device 17 activates the suction device 12 when the amount of depression of the brake pedal detected by a brake pedal sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle S is greater than a predetermined amount of depression. The predetermined amount of depression is determined by experiment or simulation. The predetermined amount of depression may be zero.

[0033] By operating in this manner, the control device 17 can collect brake dust generated when braking the vehicle S at the same time that the vehicle S is braking. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can prevent brake dust generated while the vehicle S is traveling from being dispersed into the atmosphere.

[0034] For example, when the control device 17 receives that the driver of the vehicle S has finished operating the brake pedal, it stops the operation of the suction device 12. As an example, the control device 17 stops the operation of the suction device 12 when the amount of depression of the brake pedal detected by the brake pedal sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of depression.

[0035] The control device 17 executes at least one of a mechanical braking process (first braking process) in which the brake devices 9 brake the wheels 8, and a regenerative braking process (second braking process) in which the motors 5 that rotate the axles 7 brake the wheels 8, as a braking process for braking the vehicle S. When the vehicle S brakes using the mechanical braking process, the brake devices 9 generate brake dust. However, when the vehicle S brakes using the regenerative braking process, the brake devices 9 do not generate brake dust. Therefore, the control device 17 activates the suction device 12, for example, when executing the mechanical braking process, out of the mechanical braking process and the regenerative braking process.

[0036] For example, when the control device 17 determines that a braking force corresponding to the amount of operation 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 activate 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 activates the suction device 12.

[0037] By operating as described above, the control device 17 can activate the suction device 12 only when the braking device 9 generates brake dust, thereby enabling the brake dust to be collected at an appropriate timing. As a result, the control device 17 can prevent the SOC of the power storage device 16, which supplies electricity to the suction device 12, from decreasing excessively while the vehicle S is traveling.

[0038] In order for the power storage device 16 to charge and discharge a predetermined amount of electricity over a predetermined number of years of service life, it is desirable to charge and discharge the power storage device 16 so that its SOC is within a predetermined range (for example, 30% or more and less than 80%). Furthermore, when the control device 17 activates the suction device 12 to execute a mechanical braking process, the power storage device 16 discharges (feeds power) to the suction device 12, and when the control device 17 executes a regenerative braking process, the power storage device 16 charges with electricity generated by the motor 5. Therefore, the control device 17 determines which process to execute, the mechanical braking process or the regenerative braking process, based on the SOC acquired from the power storage device 16, for example, and determines whether to activate the suction device 12 based on the determined process.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the control device 17 based on the SOC of the power storage device 16. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 represents time. The vertical axis of FIG. 2 represents "SOC" indicating the SOC of the power storage device 16, "regenerative braking" indicating whether or not regenerative braking processing is performed, "mechanical braking" indicating whether or not mechanical braking processing is performed, and "brake dust suction" indicating whether or not the suction device 12 is operating. In FIG. 2, "TH1" represents a first threshold value of the SOC (e.g., 80%), and "TH2" represents a second threshold value of the SOC (e.g., 30%). "Execute" in FIG. 2 indicates that the control device 17 executes the operation when the driver performs an operation to brake the vehicle S, "insufficient" indicates that the control device 17 executes the operation when the braking force for braking the vehicle S is insufficient, and "stop" indicates that the control device 17 does not execute the operation.

[0040] For example, when braking the vehicle S, if the SOC of the power storage device 16 that stores the electricity generated by the motor 5 is less than the threshold value TH1, the control device 17 executes the regenerative braking process with the suction device 12 stopped. For example, when braking the vehicle S at time P0 shown in FIG. 2, the control device 17 determines that the SOC acquired from the power storage device 16 is less than TH1. Then, the control device 17 determines, for example, a braking force corresponding to the amount of depression of the brake pedal operated by the driver of the vehicle S, and generates the braking force by executing the regenerative braking process with the suction device 12 stopped.

[0041] By operating the control device 17 as described above, when the SOC of the power storage device 16 is reduced, the control device 17 can improve the SOC by executing a regenerative braking process to brake the vehicle S. As a result, the control device 17 can suppress deterioration of the power storage device 16. Note that, at time P0 shown in FIG. 2 , when the identified braking force is greater than the maximum braking force that can be generated by the regenerative braking process, the control device 17 may execute the regenerative braking process and the mechanical braking process and also activate the suction device 12.

[0042] For example, when braking the vehicle S, if the SOC reaches the threshold value TH1 and then is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH2 that is lower than the threshold value TH1, the control device 17 executes a mechanical brake process and activates the suction device 12. For example, when braking the vehicle S at time P1 shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 17 determines that the SOC is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 at the current time included in time P1 after the SOC reaches the threshold value TH1 at time T1. Then, the control device 17 determines, for example, a braking force corresponding to the amount of depression of the brake pedal operated by the driver of the vehicle S, and executes a mechanical brake process to generate the braking force and activates the suction device 12.

[0043] By operating as described above, the control device 17 can lower the SOC by activating the suction device 12 when braking the vehicle S, and can also collect brake dust generated by the execution of the mechanical braking process. As a result, the control device 17 can suppress deterioration of the electricity storage device 16 and suppress brake dust from scattering while the vehicle S is traveling.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 1 , the notification device 18 is a device for notifying the driver of the vehicle S whether or not the brake dust collection system 10 is in an abnormal state. An abnormal state is, for example, a state in which brake dust adheres to a filter of the collection device 15, causing the filter to become clogged, making it difficult for the suction device 12 to suck air from the cover 11. For example, 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 greater than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 notifies the driver of the vehicle S that an abnormality has occurred in the collection device 15. The predetermined negative pressure is a negative pressure determined by experiment or simulation.

[0045] For example, when the notification device 18 receives from the control device 17 negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure in the suction device 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 displays a warning image indicating that the collection device 15 is in an abnormal state on an instrument panel (not shown) provided in the vehicle S. The warning image includes, for example, an icon image or text data indicating that the filter of the collection device 15 should be replaced or cleaned. When the notification device 18 receives from the control device 17 negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure in the suction device 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined negative pressure, the notification device 18 may emit a warning sound from a speaker (not shown) provided in the vehicle S indicating that the collection device 15 is in an abnormal state.

[0046] For example, when notification device 18 receives from control device 17 negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure in suction device 12 is less than a predetermined negative pressure, notification device 18 may execute a process to hide the displayed warning image or may not execute a process to display the warning image. When notification device 18 receives from control device 17 negative pressure information indicating that the negative pressure in suction device 12 is less than a predetermined negative pressure, notification device 18 may execute a process to stop the warning sound that is being emitted or may not execute a process to emit the warning sound. By operating as described above, notification device 18 can notify the driver of vehicle S of the need to replace or clean the filter of collection device 15 at an appropriate time.

[0047] Incidentally, FIG. 1 shows an axle 7 that is a drive axle equipped on the vehicle S as an example of an axle 7, but the vehicle S may further include 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. The axle 7 provided on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle S (hereinafter referred to as the "front axle") is subjected to a greater load when braking the vehicle S than the axle 7 provided on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle S (hereinafter referred to as the "rear axle"). Therefore, the braking devices 9 provided on the front axles generate a larger amount of brake dust when braking the vehicle S than the braking devices 9 provided on the rear axles.

[0048] Therefore, the brake dust collection system 10 may be provided with a suction device 12, a suction path 14, and a collection device 15 on each of the front and rear axles. The brake dust collection system 10 may also be configured to cause the suction device 12 to generate a suction force corresponding to the amount of brake dust on each of the front and rear axles, and to attach a filter of a size corresponding to the amount of brake dust to the collection device 15.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle S that collects brake dust for each axle 7. The vehicle S shown in FIG. 3 differs from the vehicle S shown in FIG. 1 in that it has a front axle 7a, wheels 8a, 8b, braking devices 9a, 9b, covers 11a, 11b, a first suction device 12a, a first negative pressure sensor 13a, a first suction path 14a, and a first collection device 15a, but is otherwise the same. The rear axle 7b shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the axle 7 shown in FIG. 1, the second suction device 12b shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the suction device 12 shown in FIG. 1, the second negative pressure sensor 13b shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the negative pressure sensor 13 shown in FIG. 1, the second suction path 14b shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the suction path 14 shown in FIG. 1, and the second collection device 15b shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the collection device 15 shown in FIG. 1. The cover 11a shown in FIG. 3 has an opening 110a, and the cover 11b has an opening 110b.

[0050] 3, the brake dust collection system 10 includes, for example, a first suction device 12a and a second suction device 12b as suction devices 12. The first suction device 12a is a device that sucks brake dust generated inside covers 11a and 11b provided on the front axle 7a of the vehicle S, for example, via a first suction path 14a. The second suction device 12b is a device that sucks brake dust generated inside covers 11c and 11d provided on the rear axle 7b of the vehicle S, for example, via a second suction path 14b. The first suction device 12a sucks brake dust with a suction force greater than the suction force with which the second suction device 12b sucks brake dust.

[0051] By operating the brake dust collection system 10 in this manner, the suction device 12 can increase the suction force applied to the cover 11 that covers the braking device 9 that, of the multiple braking devices 9 equipped on the vehicle S, exerts a large load on braking the vehicle S. As a result, the suction force can be increased as the amount of brake dust contained in the air increases, allowing the brake dust to be appropriately collected.

[0052] The brake dust collection system 10 includes, for example, a first collection device 15a and a second collection device 15b as collection devices 15. The first collection device 15a is provided, for example, in the first suction path 14a between the junction G1 and the first suction device 12a, and collects brake dust sucked from inside the cover body 11a and the cover body 11b provided on the front axle 7a of the vehicle S. The second collection device 15b is provided, for example, in the second suction path 14b between the junction G2 and the second suction device 12b, and collects brake dust sucked from inside the cover body 11c and the cover body 11d provided on the rear axle 7b of the vehicle S. The first collection device 15a is equipped with a filter that is larger than the filter for collecting brake dust attached to the second collection device 15b.

[0053] When the negative pressure detected by the first negative pressure sensor 13a is equal to or greater 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 greater 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.

[0054] By configuring the brake dust collection system 10 as described above, the larger the amount of brake dust generated, the larger the filter that can be installed in the collection device 15. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can approximate the timing at which negative pressure increases due to clogging in each filter, thereby approximating the timing at which the notification device 18 notifies the driver to replace or clean each filter. This makes it easier for the driver to replace or clean each filter at the same time. Note that in the brake dust collection system 10, even if the vehicle S has multiple axles 7, brake dust may be collected using one suction device 12 and one collection device 15.

[0055] <Processing sequence in the control device 17> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the control device 17. The processing sequence shown in Fig. 4 is a processing sequence showing an operation of braking the vehicle S by causing the control device 17 shown in Fig. 1 to execute at least one of a mechanical braking process and a regenerative braking process. The processing sequence shown in Fig. 4 starts from a state in which the vehicle S is traveling at a time included in the time P0 shown in Fig. 2.

[0056] The control device 17 determines whether braking force is necessary to brake the vehicle S (S11). For example, if the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time step S11 is executed is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that braking force is necessary, and if the depression amount is 0 at the time step S11 is executed, the control device 17 determines that braking force is not necessary. If it is determined that braking force is not necessary (NO in S11), the control device 17 repeats step S11. If it is determined that braking force is necessary (YES in S11), the control device 17 starts executing regenerative braking processing (S12).

[0057] Next, the control device 17 determines whether further braking force is required (S13). For example, if the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time step S13 is executed is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is required, and if the depression amount is 0 at the time step S13 is executed, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is not required. If 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 the process shown in FIG. 4. If 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 greater than a threshold value TH1 (S15).

[0058] If the SOC of the power storage device 16 is less than the threshold value TH1 (NO in S15), the control device 17 returns to step S12 and continues the execution of the regenerative braking process. If the SOC of the power storage device 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 (YES in S15), the control device 17 ends the regenerative braking process (S16), starts the execution of the mechanical braking process (S17), and activates the suction device 12 (S18).

[0059] Next, the control device 17 determines whether further braking force is required (S19). For example, if the depression amount detected by the brake pedal sensor at the time step S19 is executed is greater than 0, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is required, and if the depression amount is 0 at the time step S19 is executed, the control device 17 determines that further braking force is not required. If it is determined that further braking force is not required (NO in S19), the control device 17 ends the mechanical brake process and stops the suction device 12 (S20). Then, the control device 17 ends the process shown in FIG. 4. If 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 value TH2 (S21).

[0060] If the SOC of the power storage device 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 (NO in S21), the control device 17 returns to step S17 and continues the execution of the mechanical braking process. If the SOC of the power storage device 16 is less than the threshold value TH2 (YES in S21), the control device 17 ends the mechanical braking process and stops the suction device 12 (S22). Then, the control device 17 returns to step S12 and starts the execution of the regenerative braking process.

[0061] <Effects of the Brake Dust Collection System 10> As described above, the brake dust collection system 10 comprises a cover 11 for covering the braking device 9 provided at the end of the axle 7 of the vehicle S, a suction device 12 that sucks brake dust generated inside the cover 11 from an opening 110 provided in the cover 11 through a suction path 14, a control device 17 that activates the suction device 12 when the braking device 9 is braking the wheel 8 attached to the end of the axle 7 while the vehicle S is moving, and a collection device 15 that is provided in the suction path 14 between the opening 110 and the suction device 12 and collects the brake dust sucked by the suction device 12.

[0062] By configuring the brake dust collection system 10 in this manner, the brake dust collection system 10 can confine brake dust generated by the braking device 9 when braking the vehicle S while it is moving within the space surrounded by the cover body 11. In the brake dust collection system 10, when braking the vehicle S, the suction device 12 sucks the brake dust through the opening 110 provided in the cover body 11, allowing the collection device 15 to collect the brake dust while the vehicle S is moving. As a result, the brake dust collection system 10 can prevent brake dust from scattering while the vehicle S is moving.

[0063] The present invention has been described above using 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 are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] S vehicle 1 Charging port 2 engines 3 crankshaft 4 Power transmission device 5 motors 5a motor 5b Motor 6 Final reduction gear 7 axles 7a front axle 7b rear axle 8 wheels 8a wheels 8b wheels 8c wheels 8d wheels 9 Braking device 9a Braking device 9b Braking device 9c Braking device 9d braking device 10 Brake dust collection system 11 Covering Body 11a Covering body 11b Covering body 11c Covering body 11d Covering body 110 Opening 110a opening 110b opening 110c opening 110d opening 12 Suction device 12a 1st suction device 12b Second suction device 13 Negative pressure sensor 13a First negative pressure sensor 13b Second negative pressure sensor 14 Suction path 14a 1st suction path 14b 2nd suction path 15 Collection device 15a 1st collection device 15b 2nd collection device 16. Energy storage device 17 Control device 18 Alarm device

Claims

1. a cover for covering a braking device provided at an end of an axle of a vehicle; a suction device that sucks dust generated inside the cover through a suction path from an opening provided in the cover; a control device that activates the suction device when the braking device is braking the wheel attached to the end of the axle while the vehicle is running; a collection device provided in the suction path between the opening and the suction device, and configured to collect the dust sucked by the suction device. Brake dust collection system.

2. the control device activates the suction device when executing the first braking process of a first braking process in which the braking device brakes the wheels and a second braking process in which the motor that rotates the axle brakes the wheels; 2. The brake dust collection system of claim 1.

3. the control device executes 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 motor is less than a first threshold value; 3. The brake dust collection system according to claim 2.

4. the control device, when the charging rate reaches or exceeds a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value after the charging rate reaches the first threshold value, executes the first braking process and activates the suction device; The brake dust collection system according to claim 3 .

5. The suction device is driven by being supplied with electricity stored in the power storage device.

5. The brake dust collection system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The vehicle further includes an alarm device that notifies a driver of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the collection device when the negative pressure of the suction device is equal to or greater than a predetermined negative pressure.

2. The brake dust collection system of claim 1.

7. The opening is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover or on a portion of the cover facing the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

2. The brake dust collection system of claim 1.

8. The collecting device includes a first collecting device that collects the dust sucked from inside the cover body provided on the front axle of the vehicle, and a second collecting device that collects the dust sucked from inside the cover body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle, The size of the filter for collecting the dust included in the first collection device is larger than the size of the filter included in the second collection device.

2. The brake dust collection system of claim 1.

9. The suction device includes a first suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the cover body provided on the front axle of the vehicle, and a second suction device that sucks the dust generated inside the cover body provided on the rear axle of the vehicle, The suction force with which the first suction device sucks the dust is greater than the suction force with which the second suction device sucks the dust.

2. The brake dust collection system of claim 1.

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