Brake Booster Gas Evacuation via Dual Pump Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for evacuating gas from a brake booster in motor vehicles are unreliable, as they fail to function properly during electric pump malfunctions, leading to inadequate vacuum and impaired braking capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising first and second conduits, an electric pump, a mechanical pump, an electric valve, and a control unit, where the mechanical pump is driven by the vehicle's drive unit to evacuate gas, and the control unit selectively activates the electric pump and valves based on the mechanical pump's working state to ensure reliable gas evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only an electric pump is used to evacuate gas from the brake booster, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability is poor because the pump may malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The gas evacuation system is segmented into two independent pathways: one through the electric pump and another through the mechanical pump. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one pump fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pump is pre-configured as a backup evacuation pathway that can be activated when the electric pump malfunctions. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the system has a reserved capability to handle pump failures, maintaining reliability without requiring continuous operation of both pumps.
2Reliability
If the electric pump is continuously activated to ensure adequate vacuum, then the gas evacuation is reliable, but the energy consumption increases and component lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between electric pump operation and mechanical pump operation based on the working conditions and vacuum requirements. The control unit monitors the electric pump's status and activates the mechanical pump when needed, optimizing energy usage while maintaining reliable vacuum levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pump, driven by the vehicle's drive unit, provides self-service gas evacuation capability without requiring additional energy input from the electrical system. This allows the system to maintain vacuum levels using the vehicle's existing mechanical energy, reducing overall energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the mechanical pump is always used for gas evacuation, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system cannot operate when the vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by combining two types of pumps with different operational characteristics. The electric pump provides universal operation capability (can work when vehicle is stationary), while the mechanical pump provides energy-efficient operation during vehicle movement. Together, they cover all operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump serves as a pre-configured backup that can be activated when the mechanical pump cannot operate (i.e., when the vehicle is stationary). This beforehand cushioning ensures the system maintains adaptability to different operating conditions without requiring both pumps to operate simultaneously in all cases.
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
This solution provides a reliable gas evacuation mechanism, ensuring proper brake booster operation by leveraging both electric and mechanical pumps, and optimizing energy use to extend the lifespan of components.
Implementation Method 1
the electric pump is activated to evacuate gas from the conduit 12 so as to reduce pressure in the conduit 12
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical pump is adapted to be driven by the vehicle drive unit to evacuate gas from the brake booster
Data Source
AI summary
A system for evacuating gas from a brake booster of a motor vehicle includes: a first conduit adapted to be connected fluidly to the brake booster; an electric pump connected fluidly to the first conduit, and controllable to evacuate gas from the brake booster via the first conduit; a second conduit; an electric valve fluidly connecting the first and second conduits to each other; a mechanical pump connected fluidly to the second conduit, and adapted to be driven by a vehicle drive unit of the motor vehicle to evacuate gas from the brake booster via the first conduit, the electric valve, and the second conduit; and a control unit operatively associated with the electric pump and the electric valve, and configured to control operations of the electric pump and the electric valve according to a working state of the mechanical pump.