Device for catching brake dust, and passenger vehicle having said device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for catching brake dust for motor vehicles, comprising a collection chamber (1) having at least one air inlet (6), at least one air outlet (2), a supply chamber (4) and a filtering strip (3) which is stretched in front of the air outlet (2). The supply chamber (4) comprises a supply of clean filtering strip (3). The collection chamber (1) furthermore comprises a reel (10) for winding the clogged filtering strip (3), wherein the filtering strip (3) exits the supply chamber (4) via the air outlet (2) to the reel (10) for winding. The filtering strip (3) can be fastened to the reel (10) for winding, and this reel can be provided with a drive to ensure its rotation.

Description

[0001] Device for collecting brake dust and passenger cars with this device

[0002] Technical subject area

[0003] The invention relates to the field of collecting harmful dust particles generated during the friction of two materials, and in particular focuses on a device for collecting harmful dust particles generated during the use of mechanical brakes.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] 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 the microparticles, which range from nanometers to hundredths of a millimeter, and in terms of its structure, and poses a significant risk to the respiratory system of the population, particularly when inhaled. Various techniques and types of devices for capturing brake dust are known in the state of the art, including various filter devices, particle separators, and collection chambers.

[0006] An example of such a device can be found in EP3938675 A2, which describes a device for separating and collecting particles and brake dust. This device consists of a housing with an inlet for the air stream containing dust and particles and an outlet for the cleaned air. The housing contains a series of cyclones that separate particles, dust, and water droplets from the air stream. Each cyclone has a conical body with a gravity outlet opening leading to the collection zone. Separated particles and dust accumulate in this zone. The cyclones also include chimneys that direct the air into another zone of the housing containing a filter element. However, this device does not address the problem of magnetized particles and the ease of cleaning or replacing the filter element. Furthermore, document WO2021213738 A1, for example, describes a brake dust particle filter for disc brakes.The filter housing is shaped like a circular segment and encloses the brake disc between two side walls. A transverse partition is mounted between the brake disc and one of the walls, creating a free cross-section between the partition and the side wall. This partition acts as a disruptive element, deflecting the airflow along the brake disc and creating targeted turbulence that helps effectively separate the brake dust particles generated during braking. The filter housing can contain a filter medium capable of retaining brake dust particles. To improve filtration, multiple transverse partitions can be used. However, this device is only intended for disc brakes.

[0007] Another example is the intelligent system for removing brake dust from motor vehicles described in CN205895977U. The system includes a disc brake, a brake pump that controls the disc brake, a vacuum device connected to the brake pump, and a dust extraction system comprising a filter device with a double circular extraction head. The extraction head is located on the disc brake. Here, a vacuum device creates a vacuum so that the dust generated during braking can be extracted.

[0008] Another example of such a device is the solution disclosed in CN217864072U U, which discloses a high-performance braking system with a disc brake and a control unit. The disc brake comprises a bracket and a guard, with the guard including a box with an air intake pump. This box includes a filter. The system effectively removes dust from the brake disc, cooling it and increasing its service life. Vibrations during driving activate a spring-loaded filter, which captures the dust and deposits it in a collection container. The system further includes a dust detection sensor and triggers a second dust extraction pump to clean the collection container. However, this device is only intended for disc brakes.

[0009] It would therefore be advisable to find a solution for a brake dust collection device that allows easy replacement of the contaminated filter material and is suitable for both disc and drum brakes.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The deficiencies of the prior art solutions are overcome to some extent by a device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, comprising a collection chamber, the collection chamber having at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet, at least one storage chamber, and at least one filter belt stretched in front of each air outlet. Preferably, the collection chamber may be a thin-walled casting in the shape of a cone with a flared apex, from the bottom of which the air outlet emerges, and from the flared apex the air inlet emerges. The conical shape allows for a smaller size of the device, but at the same time provides a sufficiently large area for the arrangement of the filter belt. The shape of the thin-walled casting of the chamber can be adapted to the needs of individual vehicle types.The collection chamber is the part of the brake dust collection device where the airflow is evenly distributed and the air containing dust particles from the vehicle's brakes is filtered. Each storage chamber contains a supply of clean filter tape, with the filter tape exiting each such storage chamber to at least one air outlet and a reel for winding. Preferably, the filter tape comprises a mesh of fibers that capture particles with a size of at least one micrometer.

[0012] Thanks to the use of a reel for winding the clogged filter belt and a storage chamber containing a supply of clean filter belt, it is possible to replace the used filter with a new one either continuously during the device's use or occasionally when the currently used section of the belt becomes dirty. For example, a corresponding length of the dirty filter can be wound up after a specified distance has been traveled, after a certain number of brake applications, after a certain braking time, after a certain pressure increase in front of the filter belt indicating a blockage, after a certain increase in fan current consumption, which may indicate a filter blockage, etc.

[0013] Filter changing is thus largely automated, and manual changing is only necessary after a longer period of time when the supply of clean filters is exhausted. At the same time, it is possible to maintain adequate filtering performance over an extended period, which can decrease over time with conventional brake dust extraction systems as the filter becomes clogged or worn. By accommodating the clean filter in a separate, conveniently separated storage chamber, contamination of the filter is prevented before it is pulled in front of the air outlet. The passage between the storage chamber and the collection chamber can therefore take the form of a gap, possibly equipped with a flexible slat to press (tension) the filter and prevent the penetration of contaminants, where this gap preferably corresponds to the smallest possible dimension sufficient to allow easy passage of the filter belt.This device can have significantly longer maintenance intervals, after which operator intervention is required to ensure the devices operate efficiently. This reduces maintenance costs and can also reduce the amount of dust particles released into the air by the vehicle in the long term, as the efficiency of a continuously variable filter does not decrease as drastically over time as with standard devices. At the same time, a filter belt is used as the filter, which can have a relatively simple design and thus low acquisition costs, so that the increased filter service life can be associated with a lower price compared to state-of-the-art systems.

[0014] The quantity of clean filter stored, i.e., the size of the supply in the storage chamber, can, for example, correspond to the usual maintenance intervals. This means that the filter should be changed at approximately the same interval as the oil, so that these maintenance tasks can be combined. In general, this can be, for example, units of meters of filter tape stored in a storage chamber at the beginning of use.

[0015] The collection chamber is preferably located in the vehicle chassis after assembly on the vehicle, with its air inlet preferably connected to an air extraction point near the brake. This connection can be made using a hose or a pipe. The air extraction point is the point near at least one brake at which air contaminated with dust particles due to the friction of the braking materials is sucked in and from which this air is fed into the collection chamber. The air can be sucked from the extraction point to the pipe connected to the air inlet in the chamber by an air pump. The end of the pipe at the extraction point can be suitably shaped, depending on the type and shape of the brake, to capture the greatest possible amount of contaminated air.

[0016] Each filter belt is preferably attached at one end to a winding spool with a drive for rotating the spool. Advantageously, the filter belt is attached to a spool at both ends so that the filter belt can be permanently tensioned at the air outlet. The storage chamber preferably comprises a lid for storing and removing the filter belt supply. A supply spool with a wound supply of clean filter belt can be stored in the storage chamber. After the clean filter belt is used up, the supply spool can be removed from the storage chamber and replaced with a new supply spool with a wound supply of clean filter belt.

[0017] In general, sufficient tension of the filter in front of the air outlet can also be ensured in other ways, e.g., by placing both long sides of the filter in the grooves for filter guidance, by pressing the filter against the outlet from the storage chamber with a flexible element, by arranging the filter at the front and rear between a pair of grilles, etc.

[0018] The collection chamber preferably comprises a winding chamber for receiving the spool. Preferably, the winding spool is located within the winding chamber so that a contaminated filter belt can be wound onto it. The winding chamber allows the contaminated filter to be separated from the main body of the collection chamber, reducing the risk of captured dust being released over time. The winding chamber preferably comprises a lid for accommodating a new winding spool and for removing a winding spool with a contaminated filter belt. Once the contaminated filter belt has been fully wound, the winding spool can be removed from the winding chamber and replaced with a new winding spool without a filter belt.The winding spool in the winding chamber is preferably connected to a stepping mechanism that sets it in rotation, thus enabling the gradual and automatic replacement of the contaminated filter belt at the air outlet with a clean one. In particular, a rotation step can then correspond to the length of the filter belt exposed to contamination at a given time, i.e., the length of the air outlet. During use of the device, the rotational speed of the winding spool, which corresponds to a certain, appropriately long step, could decrease as the diameter of the winding spool around the already wound belt increases. However, to simplify control, the filter advance step can correspond to a constant rotational speed of the winding spool throughout the entire service life of the filter. The collection chamber preferably comprises a fan with an electric motor for driving the fan.The fan is preferably located behind the air inlet to the collection chamber and increases the flow of contaminated air into the collection chamber. The electric motor is preferably connected to the vehicle's control unit, and when the brake is activated—i.e., when the hydraulic pressure in the brake control system increases—the electric motor can be started, causing the fan to rotate and draw contaminated air from the vehicle's brakes into the collection chamber.

[0019] The plenum preferably comprises at least one distribution rib for the air duct between the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet. Each distribution rib is preferably located behind the fan. There are preferably at least four distribution ribs for the air duct and they ensure an even air supply to the filter belt. The distribution rib can be an elongated plate made of the same material as the plenum and can be inseparably connected to the plenum. These ribs can be particularly advantageous if the plenum gradually widens at least over part of the length of the plenum in the direction from the air inlet to the filter belt. This widening can, for example, begin after the fan and not immediately after the air inlet.

[0020] The at least one air outlet preferably comprises a magnetic grid. The magnetic grid is preferably located at the air outlet, behind the filter belt, to attract magnetizable brake dust components to the filter belt at the air outlet and to capture magnetizable dust particles that are small enough to pass through the filter belt. The magnetic grid therefore advantageously increases the efficiency of brake dust filtration.

[0021] The brake dust collection device for motor vehicles preferably comprises at least one secondary filter, the secondary filter preferably comprising channels. This filter is preferably made of ceramic and captures dust particles that have passed through the filter belt and any magnetic grid, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the brake dust collection device. The secondary filter is therefore preferably located downstream of the filter belt (with respect to the flow direction of the filtered air through the device), either between the filter belt and the air outlet from the chamber or just downstream of the air outlet and thus outside the chamber. In general, the secondary filter can also be placed upstream of the filter belt, but since the filter belt can be constantly moving, it is preferable to expose it to more polluted air to extend the service life of the secondary filter.If the chamber has several air outlets, each of them can be equipped with a secondary filter, which can be common to these outlets.

[0022] The deficiencies of the prior art solutions are also eliminated to a certain extent by a passenger car comprising a body with a chassis, wheels, and brakes for braking the wheels. The passenger car further comprises the above-described device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles.

[0023] The brake dust collection device for passenger cars further comprises an air line, wherein the air line leads from the at least one brake to the air inlet in the collection chamber. The air line can be implemented as a pipe with an air pump that conveys the contaminated air containing dust particles from a sampling point near the brake through the air inlet into the collection chamber. Preferably, one brake dust collection device is used for all brakes of a motor vehicle, and one hose is used for each air supply to the brake sampling point.

[0024] There can be four air supplies, one for each brake, and therefore there can be four air inlets in the plenum, one for each air supply, or all air supplies can be combined into one air supply before the air inlet, which is particularly suitable if there is a fan in the plenum immediately after the inlet.

[0025] The brake dust collection device for passenger cars is advantageously located in the chassis, and the air line to the collection chamber is also located in the chassis. Explanation of drawings

[0026] The essence of the invention is further explained by means of embodiments which are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the internal arrangement of the device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles

[0028] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the internal arrangement of the brake dust collection device for motor vehicles

[0029] Embodiments of the invention

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the corresponding drawings.

[0031] In a first exemplary embodiment, the device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles comprises a collection chamber 1, shown in Fig. 1, wherein this collection chamber 1 comprises an air inlet 6, an air outlet 2, a storage chamber 4, and a filter belt 3 stretched in front of the air outlet 2. The collection chamber 1, in this exemplary embodiment, is a thin-walled casting in the shape of a cone with a flared tip, from the bottom of which the air outlet 2 emerges and from the side of the flared tip the air inlet 6 emerges. The storage chamber 4 comprises a supply of clean filter belt 3, wherein the filter belt 3 leaves the storage chamber 4 to the air outlet 2 and to the spool 10 for winding. The filter belt 3, in the first exemplary embodiment, comprises a network of fibers that capture particles of 1 micron and larger.

[0032] In the first exemplary embodiment, the collection chamber 1 is intended for accommodation in the vehicle chassis, with its air inlet 6 then connected to an air extraction point near the brake. This connection is established via a pipe. In another embodiment, the connection can be established via a solenoid hose. The air extraction point is the point near a brake at which air contaminated with dust particles due to the friction of the brake materials is sucked in and from which this air is fed into the collection chamber with filter. The air is sucked from the extraction point to the pipe connected to the air inlet of the collection chamber by an air pump. The end of the pipe at the extraction point is shaped to capture the largest possible amount of contaminated air. The extraction point can therefore take the form of a nozzle or a chamber surrounding part of the brake.

[0033] In the first exemplary embodiment, the supply of clean filter belt 3 is accommodated in the storage chamber 1 in the form of a folded sheet. In order to ensure continuous tension of the filter belt 3, in this exemplary embodiment, for example, a flexible element is attached to the outlet of the storage chamber 4, which presses the filter belt 3 against the wall of the collection chamber 1. The storage chamber 4 in this embodiment comprises a lid for accommodating a supply of clean filter belt 3. When replacing the filter belt 3, nothing needs to be removed from the storage chamber 4; instead, a new filter belt 3 in the form of a folded sheet must be inserted, which is attached or can be attached at one end to the spool 10 for winding up.

[0034] In the first exemplary embodiment, the collection chamber 1 comprises a winding chamber 5 for receiving the winding spool 10, which is opposite the storage chamber 4 and between which the air outlet 2 is located. The winding spool 10 is thus fastened in the winding chamber 5, with the dirty filter belt 3 being wound onto it over time. The winding chamber 5 comprises a lid for removing the dirty filter belt 3 and for receiving a new spool 10 without the filter belt 3. Alternatively, the collection chamber 1 can comprise two removable parts, wherein, after separation, access to the winding chamber 5 is possible from the interior of the collection chamber 1 in order to remove the winding spool 10 with the dirty filter belt 3 or to insert a new winding spool 10.After the contaminated filter belt 3 has been completely wound up, the winding spool 10 is removed from the winding chamber 5 and replaced with a new winding spool 10 without the filter belt 3. The spool in the winding chamber 5 is connected to a stepping mechanism that causes it to rotate so that the contaminated filter belt 3 at the air outlet 2 can be replaced with a clean filter belt 3.

[0035] The collection chamber 1 comprises in the first exemplary embodiment a fan 7 with an electric motor 8 for driving the fan 7, which is shown in Fig. 2. The fan 7 is arranged after the air inlet 6 of the collection chamber 1 and increases the flow of polluted air into the collection chamber 1. The electric motor 8 is connected to the control unit of the motor vehicle, and when the brake is activated, i.e. when the hydraulic pressure in the brake control system increases, the electric motor 8 starts to run and with it the rotation of the fan 7, whereby the polluted air is sucked in from the brakes of the motor vehicle into the collection chamber 1. In the embodiment shown, the fan 7 is designed such that it sucks in the air axially and directs it in a radial direction to the air outlet 2. In other embodiments, however, it is e.g.It is possible to arrange the air inlet 6 against the air outlet 2 and to have the fan 7 (fan impeller) in between to accelerate the air in the axial direction of the fan 7. In other embodiments, the plenum 1 may be without the fan 7, with the air outlet 2 being connected, for example, to the engine intake to create a vacuum for sucking in the air from the brakes, or the fan 7 may be arranged at a location other than in the plenum 1.

[0036] In the first exemplary embodiment, the collection chamber 1 further comprises four distribution ribs 13 for air guidance between the air inlet 6 and the air outlet 2 to ensure a uniform supply of air to the filter belt 3. Each distribution rib 13 is located downstream of the fan 7. The distribution ribs 13 are elongated plates made of the same material as the collection chamber 1 and are permanently connected to the walls of the collection chamber 1. In the first exemplary embodiment, the permanent connection is achieved by the distribution ribs 13 being part of the casting. In another embodiment, the distribution ribs 13 can, for example, be two or any other number of ribs. It is also possible to design the collection chamber 1 without these ribs. The air outlet 2 from the collection chamber 1 comprises a magnetic grid 9 in the first exemplary embodiment.The magnetic grid 9 is mounted on the air outlet 2, downstream of the filter belt 3, to attract the magnetizable brake dust components to the filter belt 3 at the air outlet 2 and capture the magnetizable dust particles, even if they are significantly smaller than 1 micron and would otherwise pass through the filter belt 3 itself. The magnetic grid 9 thus increases the efficiency of brake dust filtration.

[0037] The brake dust collection device for motor vehicles comprises a secondary filter 14 in the first exemplary embodiment, wherein this secondary filter 14 includes filter channels 15 for air passage and brake dust collection. This filter is made of ceramic in the first exemplary embodiment and collects dust particles that have passed through the filter belt 3 and the magnetic grid 9, further increasing the efficiency of the brake dust collection device. In an alternative embodiment, the ceramic filter can be omitted from the design of the brake dust collection device.

[0038] In the second exemplary embodiment, the filter belt 3 is attached to a spool at both its ends, i.e., one end in the storage chamber 4 to a supply spool containing a clean belt and the other end to a spool 10 for winding up a clogged / dirty belt, whereby the filter belt 3 can be continuously tensioned through the air outlet 2. The storage chamber 4 comprises a lid for housing and removing the supply of filter belt 3. Alternatively, the collection chamber 1 can comprise two removable parts, after which it is possible to access the storage chamber 4 from the interior of the collection chamber 1 to remove the supply spool or to insert a new supply spool containing a supply of clean filter belt 3.A supply reel with a wound supply of clean filter tape 3 is inserted into the storage chamber 4, and when it is exhausted, the supply reel is removed from the storage chamber 4 and replaced with a new supply reel with a wound supply of clean filter tape 3. The remaining parts of the second exemplary embodiment are designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the reel 10 for winding the dirty filter is located inside the collection chamber 1, accommodated below the air outlet 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the collection chamber 1 comprises an opening with a lid for removing and storing the reel 10 for winding the dirty filter tape 3, which opening is arranged in the wall of the collection chamber 1 below the air outlet 2. The remaining parts of this exemplary embodiment are designed analogously to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0039] Another example of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a body with a chassis, wheels, and brakes for braking the wheels. This motor vehicle further comprises a device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles, as described above in one of the embodiments, in particular in the illustrated embodiment. This motor vehicle also contains all the usual parts of passenger cars, such as glass panes, seats, engine, lighting and control technology, interior trim, etc.

[0040] In this embodiment, the dust collection device for passenger cars further comprises an air line, with the air line leading from each brake to the air inlet 6 of the collection chamber 1. The air line is implemented by a pipe with an air pump, which conveys the contaminated air containing dust particles from a sampling point near the brake through the opening of the air inlet 6 into the collection chamber. In the first exemplary embodiment, one brake dust collection device and four pipes are used for all brakes of a motor vehicle, each of which diverts the contaminated air from a brake of the motor vehicle.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, a brake dust collection device for motor vehicles can be provided in the chassis for each brake, so that four brake dust collection devices for motor 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. The dust collection device for motor vehicles that is the subject of the present invention can be used in various embodiments, for example, for road vehicles such as passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and delivery vans. Furthermore, these devices can also be used for specialty vehicles such as excavators, work machines, tractors, towing vehicles, and others.

[0042] 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.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 - Collection chamber

[0045] 2 - Air outlet

[0046] 3 - Filter belt

[0047] 4 - Pantry

[0048] 5 - Winding chamber

[0049] 6 - Air intake

[0050] 7 - Fan

[0051] 8 - Electric motor

[0052] 9 - magnetic grid

[0053] 10 - Spool for winding

[0054] 11 - Spool drive

[0055] 13 - Distribution rib

[0056] 14 - Secondary filter

[0057] 15 - Channels for air passage and brake dust collection

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles comprising a collection chamber (1), wherein the collection chamber (1) has at least one air inlet (6), at least one air outlet (2), at least one storage chamber (4) and at least one filter belt (3) stretched in front of each air outlet (2), characterized in that each storage chamber (4) has a supply of clean filter belt (3), and the collection chamber (1) further has a spool (10) for winding up the clogged filter belt (3), wherein the filter belt (3) leaves each storage chamber (4) through the at least one air outlet (2) and onto the spool (10) for winding up, 2. Device for collecting brake dust according to claim 1, characterized in that each filter band (3) is attached at one end to a reel (10) for winding, said reel (10) being provided with a drive for rotating the reel, 3. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber (1) comprises a fan (7) with an electric motor (8) for driving the fan (7).

4. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber (1) comprises at least one distribution rib (13) for the air line between the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet (2).

5. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one air outlet (2) comprises a magnetic grid (9).

6. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one secondary filter (14), wherein the secondary filter (14) comprises channels (15) for air passage and collection of brake dust.

7. Device for collecting brake dust according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber (1) comprises a winding chamber (5) for accommodating the coil (10) for winding.

8. A passenger car comprising a body with a chassis, wheels and brakes for braking the wheels, characterized in that the motor vehicle further comprises a device for collecting brake dust for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims and an air line, the air line leading from at least one brake to an air inlet (6) in the collection chamber (1).

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