Brake Bleed Controller Actuation Logic for Fluid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic braking systems in automobiles often suffer from air bubbles in the brake fluid, which can lead to inefficient braking pressure and require wasteful procedures for maintenance, resulting in lost fluid and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A bleed controller system that communicates with valves and a pump to continuously move brake fluid and trapped air through the braking system, monitoring pressure and volume to efficiently remove air and minimize fluid loss, utilizing existing components like those in an electronic brake booster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brake bleeding procedures are used to remove air bubbles from the hydraulic brake fluid, then air bubbles are removed from the braking system, but significant amounts of brake fluid are lost and wasted
Solution Approach 1:
A reservoir is introduced as an intermediary component to collect and retain brake fluid that is expelled during the bleeding process. The reservoir receives brake fluid from the braking system through a hose connection, preventing the fluid from being wasted when air bubbles are removed. This mediator allows the bleeding operation to proceed while capturing the fluid for potential reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers brake fluid that would otherwise be discarded during the bleeding process. By collecting the expelled fluid in a reservoir, the system enables recovery and potential reuse of the brake fluid, transforming a wasteful discarding process into a resourceful recovery operation.
2Productivity
If brake fluid is continuously moved through the braking system to remove air bubbles, then air bubbles are effectively removed, but brake fluid is wasted due to disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir acts as an intermediary that intercepts and stores the brake fluid flowing out during the bleeding process. This allows continuous movement of fluid through the system to maintain high bleeding efficiency while the reservoir prevents the fluid from being wasted by providing a collection point for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the traditional discard approach into a recovery approach by collecting brake fluid in a reservoir during the high-efficiency bleeding process, enabling the fluid to be reused and eliminating the waste associated with continuous fluid movement.
3Reliability
If external equipment is used to perform brake bleeding procedures, then air bubbles can be removed from the system, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is modified to perform the bleeding operation using its own existing components (pump, valves, hoses). The system serves itself by utilizing its built-in pump to circulate brake fluid and its existing valves to control the bleeding process, eliminating the need for external equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing pump and valves in the braking system are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both normal braking operations and the bleeding operation. This universality allows the system to use its own components for air bubble removal, eliminating the need for dedicated external bleeding equipment and reducing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly enhances brake bleeding efficiency, reduces waste of hydraulic brake fluid, and minimizes the need for external equipment, thereby reducing maintenance costs and fluid disposal issues.
Implementation Method 1
a pump to remove air (e.g., entrapped bubbles and/or dissolved gases) from hydraulic fluid in components (e.g., tubing, pipes, master cylinder, pedal feel simulator, calipers, etc.) of the braking system
Implementation Method 2
the bleed controller configures (e.g., actuates) the valves and operates the pump substantially continuously to selectively move brake fluid and trapped air through the master cylinder and/or lines of the hydraulic braking system to remove the air from the brake fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate brake bleeding. Example apparatus disclosed herein include a bleed controller to actuate a first valve connected to a pump and an end of a brake line, the pump connected to a reservoir; to actuate a second valve connected to the pump and a master cylinder, the master cylinder connected to the reservoir; and to operate the pump to bleed the brake line when the first valve is actuated and to bleed the master cylinder when the second valve is actuated.