Device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, and passenger car comprising said device

Abstract

A device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, comprising a chamber (3) which has at least one air inlet (4), at least one air outlet (5) and a filter arranged between the air inlet (4) and the air outlet (5). The filter has a filter axis and comprises at least two leaves (1), with a gap (8) for the passage of air being provided between each two leaves (1). Each leaf (1) comprises air flow openings (7) and, as seen parallel to the filter axis, the leaves (1) overlap and the air flow openings (7) have different positions in adjacent leaves (1).

Description

[0001] Device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles and

[0002] Passenger cars with this device

[0003] Technical subject area

[0004] The invention relates to the field of capturing harmful dust particles generated by friction between two materials during braking of motor vehicles, focusing in particular on a filter arrangement for capturing very fine particles in filtered air.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] The braking system is an essential component of every vehicle, especially a motorized vehicle. Braking is achieved primarily through the frictional effect of the brake on the rotating wheels. This process leads to severe wear of the rubbing parts of the brake, which in turn leads to the formation of brake dust. This dust is formed by microparticles of the brake pad and microfragments of the secondary friction surface. Brake pads are typically a mixture of metallic and non-metallic materials. The secondary friction surface is usually the functional surface of the brake disc or brake drum. This brake dust is not yet captured by the conventional brake design, mixes with the ambient air, and escapes into the environment.Brake dust is extremely harmful to hygiene both in terms of the size of its microparticles, which range from nanometers to hundredths of a millimeter, and in terms of its structure. It poses a significant threat to the respiratory system of the public, particularly when inhaled. Various types of devices for capturing brake dust or devices for capturing the dust and filtering the air are known in the state of the art. Some of these devices focus on improving filtration efficiency through a combination of mechanical and magnetic effects.

[0007] An example of such a device is the solution described in EP3707404 A1, which comprises a device for filtering and effectively separating particulate pollutants from the mixture trapped in the braking zone. The device consists of two separation units, the first located upstream and the second overlapping the first with an inner shell. The filter device utilizes air circulation, gravity, and water collection. The water collects in the lower area, outside the air flow supplied to the housing. The device further comprises ducting elements, deflection walls, magnetic elements for collecting dust and metal particles, and a pre-separator to increase performance. At the same time, the device includes valves for emptying the collection area and separating the clean zone.However, the device is relatively complex and does not deal with simple filter cleaning or the replacement of filter elements.

[0008] Therefore, it would be sensible to find a solution that combines mechanical and magnetic effects to improve filtration efficiency and focuses on capturing brake dust from the brakes of a passenger car, while at the same time being structurally simple with the possibility of easy cleaning or replacement of the active filter.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The deficiencies of the solutions known in the prior art are overcome to a certain extent by a device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, which device comprises a chamber, the chamber having at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet, and a filter arranged between the air inlet and the air outlet. The chamber can be a thin-walled casting in the shape of a cylinder, from one bottom of which the air inlet opening emerges and from the other bottom of which the air outlet opening emerges. The filter has a filter axis and comprises at least two, preferably at least three louvers, with a gap for the passage of air between every two louvers. Preferably, the filter comprises at least four louvers. The louvers can be three-dimensional discs of filter material arranged next to one another or one behind the other, in particular one behind the other at regular intervals.Furthermore, each louvre comprises an opening for airflow, at least one, preferably several openings for air passage. When viewed parallel to the filter axis, the louvres overlap, and the airflow openings in the adjacent louvres have different positions in this view. These airflow openings in adjacent louvres are therefore not aligned with each other and preferably do not overlap at all. The distance between the louvres is preferably at least one-quarter the thickness of a louvre. Advantageously, all louvres in the chamber have the same thickness.

[0011] The brake dust collection device is advantageously located in the vehicle chassis after installation on the vehicle, with its inlet advantageously connected to an air extraction point near the brake. This connection can be made via a hose or a pipe. The air extraction point is the point near at least one brake where the air contaminated with dust particles due to the friction of the brake materials is drawn in and from which this air is directed into the filter chamber. The air can be drawn from the extraction point to the hose connected to the chamber's air inlet by an air pump.

[0012] By using multiple louvers mounted on a louver support or otherwise interconnected, a filter with a large filtering surface is created. Therefore, the more louvers mounted on the support, the larger the filtering surface. The size of this filtering surface is further increased by the airflow openings that run through the entire thickness of the louvers in the direction of their axis. The spatial distribution of these openings allows for a uniform and slower airflow around the entire surface of the louvers, so that the entire surface of the louvers can be used to collect accumulated brake dust particles. The large surface area of ​​the filter then allows for longer intervals between cleaning the filter itself.

[0013] Due to its shape, the brake dust collection device can be used on various types of vehicles and, at the same time, on various types of mechanical brakes. The size of the device can be largely adapted to the requirements of a specific vehicle, making this type of brake dust collection device flexible enough to be used on any vehicle.

[0014] When using the device, the air to be filtered can flow through individual louvers, i.e. some or all of the louvers can allow air to pass through the louver material. For example, a particular louver can have microscopic openings or channels for the passage of air and the capture of dust particles. Furthermore, the air can flow along the louvers, i.e. through the gaps for air passage between the louvers perpendicular to the filter axis and then either through the louver material or through the openings for air passage in the direction of the filter axis. The particles are then captured on the surface of the louvers as the air flows around the louvers. Both capture effects can be combined and are primarily influenced by the material of the individual louvers. Advantageously, the dust particles are partially captured in the louver material as they pass through the microscopic openings, e.g.the slats can be made of filter fabric, and at the same time the particles are partially captured on the surface of the slats when the air flows along the surface of the slats.

[0015] The distance between the louvers, i.e. the thickness of the gap for the air passage, can generally be, for example, at least one tenth of the thickness of the louvers, e.g. the thickness of the thinnest louver if the louvers have different thicknesses. In absolute terms, these distances can be, for example, at least 1 mm. The louvers can be arranged equidistantly, i.e. with the same spacing, but they can also have different spacings. Preferably, the filter comprises a support for the louvers, wherein the louvers are preferably attached to the support for the louvers and the support delimits gaps for the air passage between the louvers. Gaps can be defined by means of projections. The support for the louvers is preferably in the shape of a tube with a circular diameter, and the filter axis runs through the center of the support for the louvers.The slats are preferably in the shape of circular discs and, once inserted into the chamber, rest against the chamber walls. Each slat is further preferably provided with an opening in the center for attachment to the slat support. When the slats are inserted onto the slat support, the filter is advantageously cylindrical, or the envelope surrounding its shape would be substantially cylindrical, as would the chamber, and thus the two parts advantageously fit together. A spacer can be attached between every two slats to maintain the spacing between the slats. This spacer can be attached to the slat support or to the slats themselves. The spacer for maintaining the spacing between the slats can be in the shape of a hollow cylinder, wherein the spacer can be attached to the slat support through the hollow space of the cylinder.

[0016] The support can extend with both ends in the direction of the filter axis of the lamella, allowing it to be inserted into the chamber wall or lid with these ends, as described below. The support then not only holds the lamellae together but also fixes them in the desired location inside the chamber.

[0017] The plane in which the air inlet is located, i.e. the plane containing the opening through which the air enters the chamber, and also the plane in which the air outlet is located (i.e. again analogously the plane containing the opening through which the air leaves the chamber), are both perpendicular to the filter axis. Instead of an exact right angle between these planes and the filter axis, the angle can be, for example, an angle in the interval 60-120°, preferably 75-105°. In this way, the air is directed over all the louvers as it flows through the chamber. Each louver has an opening in the center for attachment to the louver support, which opening is defined by the inner edge of the louver. The outer circumference of each louver can then be defined by the outer edge. If the louver is in the shape of a circular disk, the outer and inner edges of each louver define the annuli.The inner edge of each slat advantageously rests on the slat support and the outer edge of each slat advantageously rests on the chamber walls. The outer edge as well as the inner edge of each slat is preferably a cylindrical surface. Each slat preferably comprises openings for the passage of air which run through the entire thickness of the slat in the direction of its axis. Preferably, at least two openings for the passage of air are present in the slat. Some of these openings for the passage of air are preferably located on the outer or inner edge and thus have the form of grooves which delimit the air passage between the chamber wall and the bottom of the groove. At least two openings for the passage of air are preferably present at each edge. All openings in the slats preferably direct the air flow through the filter and advantageously also partially increase the filter area.

[0018] Advantageously, the chamber has an opening for filter removal, which can be closed with a lid. The lid preferably has an air inlet opening. The lid preferably allows the chamber to be opened, the filter easily removed, and a new or cleaned filter inserted. By mounting the fins on the support, we obtain a uniform filter in the shape of a cylinder that easily fits into the chamber. Thanks to the chamber lid, the entire filter can then be removed from the chamber in one piece and cleaned. The cleaned filter can then be easily inserted into the chamber thanks to the lid. The ability to remove the filter through the lid reduces maintenance time.

[0019] The lid advantageously includes a bed for receiving the filter, with a portion of the filter advantageously fitting into the bed. Preferably, the portion of the filter that fits into the bed is a support for the louvres. The bed may also be an integral part of the chamber. When the beds are arranged on either side, i.e., in the lid and on the opposite side in an inseparable part of the chamber, the filter is preferably received in the chamber by both ends of the support for the louvres, thereby reducing the risk of the filter moving into an undesirable position and reducing the efficiency of the entire device.

[0020] Preferably, at least one lamella contains a magnetic element. The magnetic element can be a permanent magnet embedded in the lamella. The lamella with the embedded magnet is a split lamella. Preferably, each lamella can be a permanent magnet. The magnetic elements capture magnetizable microparticles of metallic material from the friction surfaces of the car brakes.

[0021] Preferably, at least one lamella comprises an electrostatic filter. In particular, at least one lamella is preferably an electrostatic filter. This electrostatic filter may comprise a layer of material that imparts an electrostatic charge to the dust particles as they pass through. Furthermore, the electrostatic filter may comprise multiple layers of metal mesh to capture electrostatically charged particles.

[0022] The use of louvres with magnetic elements or electrostatic filters reduces environmental impact, as the filters are easy to clean and reusable. In addition, the gaps between the individual louvres have the advantage of providing maximum magnetic or electrical effect on capturing dust particles. The use of magnetic elements and electrostatic filters advantageously increases the filtration efficiency of dust collection devices.

[0023] The deficiencies of the known solutions are, to a certain extent, eliminated by a passenger car comprising a body with a chassis, wheels, and brakes for braking the wheels. The motor vehicle may further include all standard components such as an engine, glass panes, seats, fuel tank, control and lighting electronics, etc. The motor vehicle further comprises the above-described device for collecting brake dust and an air line, wherein the air line leads from the at least one brake to the air inlet of the chamber. The air line may be implemented by a hose with an air pump that conveys the contaminated air containing dust particles from a sampling point near the brake through the air inlet opening into the chamber. Preferably, one device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles is used for all brakes of a motor vehicle, and one hose is used for each air sampling point of the brake.A standard vehicle then includes four hoses or generally four air lines that connect the air extraction and suction point on the brake with the chamber containing the plate filter.

[0024] Explanation of drawings

[0025] The essence of the invention is further explained by means of embodiments which are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a section through the center of the filter of a device for collecting brake dust

[0027] Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a slat with openings for the air passage and an opening for the support of the slats

[0028] Embodiments of the invention

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the corresponding drawings.

[0030] In the first exemplary embodiment, shown in Figure 1, the device for collecting brake dust comprises a chamber 3, wherein this chamber 3 comprises an air inlet 4, an air outlet 5, and a filter arranged between the air inlet 4 and the air outlet 5. The chamber 3 of the device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles is a thin-walled cylindrical casting, one bottom of which comprises an air inlet 4 and the other bottom of which comprises an air outlet 5. The openings in the chamber are used as air inlet 4 and air outlet 5. In a first exemplary embodiment, the filter has a filter axis and comprises four slats 1 running perpendicular to the axis, wherein a gap 8 for the passage of air exists between any two adjacent slats 1.Each louvre 1 has openings 7 for airflow. The louvres 1 overlap when viewed parallel to the filter axis, and the openings 7 for airflow in adjacent louvres 1 are arranged differently, i.e., they do not overlap. The spacing between the louvres 1 is equal to the thickness of one louvre 1. All louvres 1 used in the chamber have the same thickness. The number of louvres 1 may be higher or lower than four in other designs.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles is located in the chassis of the vehicle, with the inlet opening connected to an air extraction point near the brake. In this embodiment, this connection is established via a hose. The suction of air from the extraction point into the hose, which is connected to the air inlet 4 in the chamber 3, is achieved by an air pump, which is also located in the chassis of the vehicle.

[0032] In the first exemplary embodiment, the filter comprises a support 2 of the slats 1, wherein the slats 1 are fastened to the support 2 of the slats 1, and the support defines gaps 8 for the air passage between the slats 1. The support 2 of the slats 1 has the shape of a tube with a circular diameter, and the filter axis runs through the center of the support 2 of the slats 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the slats 1 have the shape of circular discs, the edges of which rest against the walls of the chamber 3 after insertion into the chamber 3. The distances marked in Fig. 1 between the edges of the slats 1 and the walls of the chamber 3 are included in the figure to illustrate the shape of the filter more clearly. However, the device according to the invention does not have these gaps in the first exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, these gaps are at least smaller than shown in the figure (e.g.less than 3 mm, preferably less than 1 mm), so that the air cannot flow through the chamber 3 without contact with the filter surface. Each lamella 1 shown in Fig. 2 has an opening in its center for attachment to the support 2 of the lamellae 1. When the lamellae 1 are mounted on the support 2 of the lamellae 1, the filter is cylindrical, as is the chamber 3, so that the two parts fit inside. The gaps 8 between the lamellae 1 are delimited by spacers 15 mounted on the support. Between every two lamellae 1 there is a spacer 15 to maintain the distance between the lamellae 1. This spacer 15 has the shape of a hollow cylinder, and is inserted through the cavity of the cylinder on the support 2 of the lamellae 1 between every two lamellae 1. In other designs, the lamellae 1 can also have a shape other than a circular disc, such as, for example, a round disc. B, an oval or square disc.

[0033] In the first exemplary embodiment, each slat 1 in the filter has an inner edge 12 that extends to the support 2 of the slats 1, and an outer edge 11 that extends to the walls of the chamber 3. The outer edge 11 has four openings, which are identified as grooves 6 in Fig. 2, and the inner edge 12 has three openings, which are also identified as grooves 6 in Fig. 2. All of these edge openings are in the shape of a semicircle. Each slat 1 also has two openings in the surface of the slat 1. The openings in the surface of the slat 1 have a circular diameter. Due to their spatial arrangement, all of the openings in the slats 1 ensure a uniform and slowed airflow around the entire surface of the slats 1, which is thus fully utilized for collecting brake dust.

[0034] In the first exemplary embodiment, the chamber 3 has an opening for removing the filter, which opening can be closed by a cover 13. One component of the cover 13 is an air inlet opening. The cover 13 enables the chamber 3 to be opened and the filter to be easily removed and a new or cleaned filter to be inserted. At the connection point between the cover 13 and the chamber 3, the two connecting edges are adjusted so that the individual parts fit in. In the first exemplary embodiment, both the cover 13 and the chamber 3 are provided with a thread so that the cover 13 can be screwed onto the chamber 3. In another embodiment, the cover 13 can be attached to the chamber by a hinge and a catch on the side opposite the hinge.In the first exemplary embodiment, the lid 13 of the chamber 3 comprises a bed 14 for receiving the filter, wherein a part of the filter engages in the bed 14. The part of the filter that engages in the bed 14 is a part of the support 2 of the slats 1, more precisely one of the ends of the support 2 of the slats 1. The bed 14 is also part of the chamber 3 in the first exemplary embodiment. The bed 14, which is a part of the chamber 3, is arranged such that the center of the bed 14 in the lid 13 and the center of the bed 14 in the chamber 3 lie on the same axis and, viewed in the direction of this axis, the centers of the beds 14 overlap. The filter is thus held in the chamber by both ends of the support 2 of the blades 1, one in the bed 14 of the lid 13 and the other in the bed 14 of the chamber 3, which reduces the risk of the filter migrating to an undesirable position and reducing the efficiency of the entire device.

[0035] In the first exemplary embodiment, one of the lamellae 1 comprises a magnetic element. This magnetic element is a permanent magnet 9 embedded inside the split lamella 10. The lamella 1 with a magnetic element captures magnetizable microparticles of metallic material from the friction surfaces of motor vehicle brakes. In another exemplary embodiment, several split lamellae 10 with an embedded permanent magnet 9 can be arranged in the filter to enhance the magnetizable particle capture effect.

[0036] A further embodiment of the invention is then a passenger car comprising a body with a chassis, wheels, and brakes for braking the wheels, said motor vehicle further comprising the above-described device for collecting brake dust and an air line, wherein the air line runs from at least one brake to the air inlet 4 in the chamber 3. In the first embodiment, the air line is realized by a hose with an air pump, which conveys the contaminated air with dust particles from a sampling point near the brake through the air inlet opening into the chamber 3. In this embodiment, a device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles is used for all brakes of a motor vehicle, and one hose is used for each air supply to the brake sampling point, i.e., four brake sampling points and four hoses. In some embodiments, the pump can, for example,be located in the chamber and thus be common to all brakes, or it can be located downstream of the filter.

[0037] In the first exemplary embodiment, the contaminated air is pumped through four hoses from the four brakes and flows through the inlet opening into chamber 3. The contaminated air floods the interior of chamber 3 and flows through the openings in the slats 1 and through the grooves 6 in the slats 1 into the gaps 8 between the slats 1. The slat 1 with the permanent magnet 9 attracts magnetizable micro-dust particles, while other particles are trapped on the filter material of the other slats 1. The air freed of brake dust particles then flows out of chamber 3 through the outlet opening.

[0038] In the second exemplary embodiment, one of the lamellae 1 is a permanent magnet 9, i.e., one of the lamellae 1 is made entirely of magnetic material. The remaining parts of this exemplary embodiment are designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, more than one lamellae 1 made of a magnetic material can be arranged in the filter, and in other embodiments, all lamellae 1 in a single filter can be made of a magnetic material.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, one of the louvers 1 is an electrostatic filter. This electrostatic filter contains a layer of material that imparts an electrostatic charge to the dust particles as they pass through, and the electrostatic filter further comprises three layers of metal grids that capture these electrostatically charged particles. This louver 1 does not include the openings for air conduction like other louvers 1 made of filter material or louvers 1 with a magnetic element. The remaining louvers 1 are formed by the filter material, and the remaining parts of this exemplary embodiment, with the exception of the magnetic element, are designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, the electrostatic charge can be imparted to more than one louver 1.

[0040] In another embodiment, the filter can contain various combinations of fins 1 with magnetic elements, fins 1 with an electrostatic filter, and fins 1 made of filter material. Further parts of the embodiment with these combinations of fins 1 are still designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, a brake dust collection device can be provided in the chassis for each brake, so that four brake dust collection devices for vehicles can be provided in the chassis. The remaining parts of this exemplary embodiment are designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment. In another embodiment, any number of brake dust collection devices for motor vehicles can be accommodated in the chassis.

[0042] The brake dust collection device for motor vehicles, which is the subject of the present invention, can be used in various embodiments for road vehicles, for example, passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and vans. Furthermore, these devices can also be used for specialty vehicles such as excavators, work machines, tractors, towing vehicles, and others.

[0043] The individual embodiments primarily describe their different features, e.g., components, their functions, and properties, without, however, exhaustively listing other features that may be further included therein and mentioned in the other embodiments. Unless expressly excluded or logically contradictory, features from other embodiments may be used in a particular embodiment. In particular, in each alternative embodiment, further, not expressly mentioned features may be advantageously implemented as in the illustrated embodiment. List of Reference Symbols

[0044] 1 - Slat

[0045] 2 - Support of the slats

[0046] 3 - Chamber

[0047] 4 - Air intake

[0048] 5 - Air outlet

[0049] 6 - Groove

[0050] 7 - Opening for air flow

[0051] 8 - Gap

[0052] 9 - Magnet

[0053] 10 - split slat

[0054] 11 - Outer edge

[0055] 12 - Inner edge

[0056] 13 - Lid

[0057] 14 - Bed

[0058] 15 - Spacers

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, comprising a chamber (3), the chamber (3) having at least one air inlet (4), at least one air outlet (5) and a filter arranged between the air inlet (4) and the air outlet (5), characterized in that the filter has a filter axis and comprises at least two slats (1), with a gap (8) for the passage of air being present between each two slats (1), each slat (1) having at least one opening (7) for air flow, the slats (1), viewed parallel to the filter axis, overlapping and the openings (7) for air flow in adjacent slats (1) having different positions.

2. Device for collecting brake dust according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter comprises a support (2) of the slats (1), the slats (1) being fastened to the support (2) of the slats (1) and the support (2) of the slats (1) defining gaps (8) for the passage of air between the slats (1).

3. Device for collecting brake dust according to claim 2, characterized in that the support (2) of the slats (1) overlaps the slats (1) at both its ends in the direction of the filter axis, these two ends being fixed to the chamber.

4. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber (3) has a lid (13) and an opening which can be closed by the lid (13) for removing the filter.

5. Device for collecting brake dust according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (13) comprises a bed (14) for receiving the filter, wherein a part of the filter fits into the bed (14).

6. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one lamella (1) comprises a magnetic element.

7. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one lamella (1) comprises an electrostatic filter.

8. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane in which the inlet opening of the air inlet (4) is located and the plane in which the outlet opening of the air outlet (5) is located are both perpendicular to the filter axis.

9. A passenger car comprising a body with a chassis, wheels and brakes for braking the wheels, characterized in that the car further comprises a device for collecting brake dust according to any one of the preceding claims and an air line, the air line leading from at least one brake to an air inlet (4) in the chamber (3).

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