Parallel Vacuum Pump Control for Brake Booster Peak Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum systems for brake boosters are over-designed, leading to inefficiency, high energy consumption, and safety concerns due to the reliance on a single vacuum pump that may fail to meet peak demands in safety-critical situations.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum control system comprising multiple electric vacuum pumps connected in parallel, allowing alternate or simultaneous operation based on detected events such as vacuum demand, pump failure, or sensor signals, to efficiently manage vacuum levels and extend operational life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single vacuum pump is over-designed to meet peak vacuum demands in safety-critical situations, then the vacuum peak demand is satisfied, but the energy consumption increases and the pump operates inefficiently during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vacuum generation function into multiple independent vacuum pumps instead of using a single over-designed pump. Each pump can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to segment the vacuum generation task according to actual demand levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts which vacuum pumps operate and how many based on real-time vacuum level feedback and demand conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows efficient operation during normal conditions while ensuring peak demand capability when needed.
2Device complexity
If a single vacuum pump is used to cover all vacuum demands, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple vacuum pumps instead of a single pump, segmenting the vacuum generation function. This provides redundancy so that if one pump fails, others can continue operation, improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares redundant vacuum pumps in advance that can take over if the primary pump fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous operation and improves reliability by having backup capacity ready before failure occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate vacuum tank is used to store vacuum, then the vacuum can be provided to multiple subsystems, but the system complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pumps are designed to serve multiple functions: they can directly supply vacuum to brake boosters, charge the intermediate vacuum tank, or both simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operating modes and subsystem demands without requiring separate dedicated pumps for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate vacuum tank is charged in advance during periods of low demand or when pumps are running, storing vacuum capacity for later use. This preliminary action allows the system to meet peak demands from multiple subsystems without requiring the pumps to be continuously oversized.
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 ensures reliable vacuum generation, reduces energy consumption, extends pump life, and provides a redundant safety mechanism by adaptively managing vacuum levels and pump operation, preventing under-design or over-design regardless of changing demands.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum pumps are devices that remove fluid molecules, e.g., gas molecules such as air molecules, from a sealed volume in order to leave behind a partial vacuum
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vacuum control system (100) for brake boosters, comprising a plurality of vacuum pumps (101,102) fluidly connected to each other in parallel, wherein the pumps (101,102) are fluidly connectable to a vacuum tank (202). The vacuum control system (100) further comprises a processor configured to operate at least one first vacuum pump of the plurality of vacuum pumps (101,102) to generate a first vacuum in the vacuum tank (212) and upon detecting an event, the event being related to at least one of an instant vacuum demand, a current vacuum level in the vacuum tank, an operation of the vacuum pumps, a reception of signals from devices communicatively coupled to the vacuum control system and an operation of these devices, simultaneously or alternatively operate at least another vacuum pump of the plurality of vacuum pumps (101,102) to generate a second vacuum in the vacuum tank (212).