Brake system filters

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake system filter, including a case (1, 1'), a cylindrically tubular filtering element (2), and a disassemblable axial fixing system. The filtering element (2) is disposed inside the case (1, 1'). The case (1, 1') includes a cylindrically tubular side wall (3) having two opposing edges, first and second. The filtering element (2) is seated on the inner surface of the side wall (3) of the case (1, 1'). The disassemblable axial fixing system provides axial fixation during assembly of the filter to the brake system (F), axial fixation of the filter element (2) within the case (1, 1'), and means for assembling and removing the filter. The purpose of the filter is to capture all health-harmful particles released by the brake system every time the brakes are applied and prevent them from migrating into the air we breathe.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake system filter, the purpose of which is to capture all particles harmful to health that are released every time the brake system applies the brakes and prevent them from being transferred to the air we breathe. The filtering element, which is responsible for retaining the harmful particles, can be easily replaced after a certain number of kilometers has been driven by a vehicle equipped with the filter of the present invention. The filtering element is washable. Furthermore, when the filter of the present invention is assembled, the brake system is enclosed in the internal space of the filter. [Background technology]

[0002] It is now well known that brake particles, especially in large cities, are a serious pollution problem, releasing particles smaller than 10 microns into the air, which are equal to or even greater than those released by engine combustion and can penetrate the human body, causing serious health problems.

[0003] While drastic measures have been taken to protect the environment from exhaust gases from combustion engines, almost nothing has been said about pollution from brakes, which release more than 10,000 tonnes of brake lining particles into the air of a major city, where these polluting particles are inhaled by people.

[0004] Although major automakers are beginning to become aware of the problem, no one has spoken out about the brake pollution issue because until now there has been no solution to the problem.

[0005] The explanation for why there is no solution is simple: brake discs cannot be completely sealed because they need to be air-cooled.

[0006] Furthermore, it is well known that if the brake discs get too hot, serious braking problems will occur, so disc brakes cannot be sealed as they are incompatible with air cooling.

[0007] This issue has become a central concern for all major car manufacturers, who have designed various systems with very poor results, limited by their inability to filter all harmful particles emitted by the brakes.

[0008] In the braking system of patent P201731144, the cooling of the brake discs is achieved by recirculating the liquid through a cooling water radiator via tubes. The cooling capacity of the brake discs is such that, in a certification test (Grosslockner) of approximately 40 minutes of continuous braking, the brake discs do not exceed a temperature of 53°C, compared to 500°C for conventional brake discs. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to achieve the objects and avoid the drawbacks mentioned in the above paragraphs, the present invention proposes a filter for a braking system, comprising a case, a cylindrical tubular filtering element and a disassemblable axial fixing device.

[0010] The filtering element is disposed within and mounted within the case, which includes at least one cylindrical tubular sidewall having two opposing ends (first and second ends), and the filtering element is seated against the inner surface of the case sidewall.

[0011] The disassembly axial fastening system provides the necessary means for axial fastening of the filter when assembled into the brake device, for axial fastening of the filtering element in the case, and for allowing assembly and disassembly of the filter.

[0012] In a first embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical tubular case is integral and includes an annular bottom that is integrally attached to a first edge of a side wall that forms part of the case itself, while a support ring is releasably connected to a second edge of the case, the annular bottom and the support ring forming a releasable axial fastening system.

[0013] The support ring includes an annular groove into which the second edge of the case fits, and the support ring is removably secured to the case by an engagement mechanism.

[0014] Each of the engagement mechanisms comprises a pivoting blade, an articulated frame articulated to the pivoting blade, and a fixed flange with which the articulated frame engages at a fixed position of the engagement mechanism, each pivoting blade being articulated to a protruding appendage integral with the support ring, while the fixed flange is integral with the case.

[0015] Both the annular bottom and the support ring include through holes that are aligned with the axial channels of the filtering element.

[0016] In a second embodiment of the invention, the case consists of two parts attached by a hinged joint and at the same time includes an engagement mechanism (equivalent to that described in the first embodiment) between the two parts of said case, configured to engage with each other and thus stabilizing the structure of the case together, which has a cylindrical-tubular configuration, characterized in that said engagement mechanism is located close to the facing edges of the two parts of the case.

[0017] The filter of the second embodiment is characterized in that it comprises two opposing support rings that constitute a disassemblable axial fastening system for the filter when assembled to the brake device, the support rings being arranged in parallel planes within the case in contact with the inner surface of the case, the contact being adjacent to first and second two opposing edges of the case.

[0018] The support ring of the second embodiment includes through holes that align with the axial channels of the filtering element.

[0019] The support ring coupled to the case of the first embodiment of the present invention and one of the support rings coupled to the case of the second embodiment include a pair of boreholes configured to receive the sleeves.

[0020] The side wall of the case contains holes throughout its length.

[0021] For a better understanding of this specification, and as an integral part thereof, there are now appended a series of figures in which the subject matter of the invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter for braking equipment that is the object of the present invention, according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the filter of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brake system filter depicted in the previous figure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of a filter for a brake device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the embodiment shown in the previous figures. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the brake device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Taking into account the numbering adopted in the figures, the filter for the braking device F has a sheet metal case 1, 1', a cylindrical tubular filtering element 2 and a dismantlable axial fastening system. The axial fastening system firstly allows the filter assembly of the invention to be assembled and dismantled in the braking device F, secondly provides axial fastening of the filter when it is assembled in the filtering device, and thirdly provides axial fastening of the filtering element 2.

[0024] The filtering element 2 is disposed and mounted inside the case 1, 1'. The case 1, 1' includes at least one cylindrical tubular side wall 3. The tubular side wall has two opposing edges, a first edge and a second edge. The filtering element 2 is seated on the inner surface of the side wall 3 of the case 1, 1'. The side wall 3 of the case 1, 1' includes a set of holes 4.

[0025] When the filter of the invention is assembled around a braking device F, the latter is enclosed within the interior space of the filter, which is radially bounded by a filtering element 2 having a cylindrical tubular configuration.

[0026] The filtering element 2 is configured to retain contaminant particles released from a braking device F housed inside an internal space defined by the filtering element 2, such as the braking device described in invention patent P201731144. The braking device comprises protrusions on its exterior that fit into axial channels 5 arranged in the filtering element 2.

[0027] In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cylindrical tubular case 1 consists of one body and includes an annular bottom 6 in the form of a washer. The annular bottom is attached integrally to a first edge of a side wall 3 which forms part of the case 1 itself. Meanwhile, a support ring 7 is connected to a second edge of the case 1 in a disassemblable manner.

[0028] To this end, the support ring 7 includes an annular groove 8 into which the second edge of the case 1 fits. Furthermore, an engagement mechanism 9 is included to fix the support ring 7 to the case 1. Each engagement mechanism includes a pivoting blade 9a, an articulated frame 9b articulated to the pivoting blade 9a, and a fixing flange 9c with which the articulated frame 9b engages at a fixed position of the engagement mechanism 9.

[0029] Each pivoting blade 9a is articulated to a projecting appendage integral with the support ring 7, while the fixed flange is integral with the case 1.

[0030] In the first embodiment of the invention described, the disassemblable axial fastening system of the filter assembly is formed by the annular bottom 6 of the case 1 and the support ring 7, where both the annular bottom 6 and the support ring 7 include through holes 10, 11 aligned with the axial channels 5 of the filtering element 2.

[0031] In a second embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4, the case 1' is made up of two parts attached by a hinged joint 12, and at the same time includes an engagement mechanism 9' as described above between the two parts of the case 1' so that they can engage with each other and stabilize the structure of the cylindrical tubular case 1' together. The engagement mechanism 9' is located adjacent to the facing edges of the two parts of the case 1'.

[0032] In a second embodiment of the invention, the filtering element 2 has two separate parts that are joined together when the filter is assembled around the brake equipment F, and in the assembled state the filtering element 2 forms a cylindrical tubular shape equivalent to that described in the first embodiment.

[0033] In a second embodiment of the invention, two opposing support rings 7' are included. The support rings constitute a disassemblable axial fastening system for the filter when assembled in the brake device F. To this end, the support rings 7' are arranged inside the case 1' in parallel planes in contact with the inner surface of the case 1'. The contact is adjacent to two opposite first and second edges of the case 1'. The support rings 7' include through holes 13, 14 aligned with the axial channels 5 of the filtering element 2.

[0034] Furthermore, both the support ring 7 of the first embodiment of the present invention and one of the support rings 7' of the second embodiment include a borehole 15 configured to receive a sleeve 16 for connection to a cooling conduit of a braking device as described in patent P201731144, owned by the same owner as the present invention.

[0035] Thus, the assembly of the case 1, 1' made of drilled sheet metal together with the filtering element 2 encloses the braking device F. This ensures that all particles released during braking are deposited in said filtering element 2 and prevent them from being released into the air.

[0036] When the filter has been used for a certain number of kilometers, the first option involves replacing the filtering element 2 with another new one, allowing the used filtering element 2 to be recycled, and the second option involves the filtering element being able to be reused if it is washable. In this situation, the braking device of the above-mentioned patent is again in a state where it can continue to brake and protect the environment.

[0037] The protection of the present invention also extends to "soundproofing" in relation to noise generated by the braking device during braking, and "protection of the braking device against external factors" such as dust, sand, and pebbles.

[0038] The sealing design of the brake system of the referenced patent allows for easy replacement of the filter, whereby when the vehicle wheels are removed, the sealing of the cases 1, 1' remains visible and can be manually removed by manually operating the engagement mechanisms 9, 9', releasing the cases 1, 1' to the outside. This leaves the particle filter element 2 visible and can also be easily replaced by pulling it out in the same way as it was assembled.

[0039] The figure shows an illustrative but non-limiting example of a sealing system applied mainly to the brake device of the reference patent P201731144 and its design variations for easy replacement of the particle filtering element 2, also depending on the positioning arrangement of said brake device, with 100% filtering of harmful particles.

[0040] It is important to understand that the brake devices of the referenced patents have the technical capability to be installed both on the wheels (non-suspended) and on the vehicle chassis (suspended). While the first embodiment of the present invention is suitable for installation on the wheels of a vehicle, the second embodiment of the present invention is capable of both installations.

[0041] It is important to understand that the brake device of the referenced patent P201731144 has the technical capability to be mounted both on the wheel (non-suspended) and on the vehicle chassis (suspended), such that the first embodiment of the filter of the present invention is suitable for mounting on the wheel of the vehicle, while the second embodiment of the present invention is suitable for mounting in both ways.

Claims

1. A filter for a braking system (F) configured to capture particles released each time the braking system brakes, comprising: The filter of the brake device (F) comprises a case (1, 1'), a cylindrical tubular filtering element (2) and a disassemblable axial fixing device for fixing the filter to the brake device (F), The filtering element (2) is disposed and mounted inside the case (1, 1'), The case (1, 1') comprises at least one cylindrical tubular side wall (3), The side wall (3) has two opposite first and second edges, The filtering element (2) is attached to the inner surface of the side wall (3) of the case (1, 1'), the filter has an interior space configured to contain the brake device; the filtering element (2) is configured to retain contaminant particles released from the braking device (F); The disassemblable axial fixing device The filter is fixed in the axial direction in a state where it is incorporated into the brake device (F), The filtering element (2) is fixed axially inside the case (1, 1'), providing means for assembling and removing said filter; The cylindrical tubular case (1) consists of one body and has an annular bottom (6), the annular bottom (6) is integrally attached to the first edge of the side wall (3) forming part of the case (1); A support ring (7) is removably connected to the second edge of the case (1); The annular bottom (6) and the support ring (7) form a removable axial fastening system; A filter for a brake system, wherein the annular bottom (6) and the support ring (7) include through holes (10, 11) aligned with the axial channels (5) of the filtering element (2).

2. The support ring (7) includes an annular groove (8), The second edge of the case (1) fits into the annular groove (8), 2. A filter for a brake system according to claim 1, wherein the support ring (7) is removably fixed to the case by an engagement mechanism (9).

3. Each of the engagement mechanisms (9) comprises a pivoting blade (9a), an articulated frame (9b) articulated to the pivoting blade (9a), and a fixed flange (9c) with which the articulated frame (9b) engages at a fixed position of the engagement mechanism (9), The pivoting blade (9a) is articulated to a projecting appendage integral with the support ring (7), 3. A filter for a brake system according to claim 2, wherein the fixing flange (9c) is integral with the case (1).

4. A filter for a brake device as described in claim 1, wherein the support ring (7) connected to the case (1) includes a pair of boreholes (15) configured for fitting a sleeve (16) into the support ring (7).

5. A filter for a brake device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side wall (3) of the case (1) includes a set of holes (4).

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