Brake Coolant Valve for Dynamic Hydraulic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braking systems fail to adequately control oil flow to brake packs during and after braking events, particularly when traveling uphill, leading to inadequate cooling and potential damage, which affects braking performance and brake pack longevity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular system with a controller that manages hydraulic fluid flow through a main hydraulic pump and an output hydraulic pump, controlled by a brake coolant valve, determines the amount of hydraulic fluid needed based on energy absorption during braking events, considering vehicle speed, mass, and brake pressure to effectively cool the brake packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional braking systems control oil flow based only on vehicle speed, then the control system is simple, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient especially when traveling uphill
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from using a single parameter (vehicle speed) to using multiple parameters (brake pressure, vehicle speed, energy absorption calculations) to determine coolant flow requirements. This allows the system to accurately assess brake thermal load under various operating conditions including uphill travel, where speed alone is insufficient indicators of braking demand.
2Productivity
If repeated brake applications are made without sufficient cooling, then braking operations can be performed continuously, but brake pack damage occurs and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors brake pressure and vehicle speed during braking events, calculates energy absorption in real-time, and uses this feedback to dynamically control coolant flow. This closed-loop approach ensures that cooling is provided proportionally to the actual thermal load, allowing continuous braking operations while preventing overheating damage to the brake pack.
3Temperature
If adequate hydraulic fluid flow is provided to cool brakes during all conditions, then brake cooling is sufficient, but hydraulic fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides cooling flow proportional to the actual braking energy absorption rather than maintaining constant maximum flow. During light braking or coasting conditions, minimal or no cooling flow is provided. During heavy braking events, especially uphill where energy absorption is high, the system increases flow accordingly. This partial action approach ensures adequate cooling when needed while minimizing hydraulic fluid consumption during normal operation.
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 ensures proper cooling of brake packs, maintaining braking performance and extending their lifespan by accurately regulating hydraulic fluid supply based on energy absorption during and after braking events.
Implementation Method 1
a brake pack configured to reduce a speed of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a method of providing an amount of hydraulic fluid to a braking system of a vehicle during or after a braking event
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized vehicle includes an engine, a transmission having an input coupled to the engine and an output, and a controller for controlling at least the transmission. A braking system includes a brake sensor and a brake pack configured to reduce a speed of the vehicle. The brake sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the controller. A main hydraulic pump is operably driven by the engine and an output hydraulic pump is operably driven by the transmission output. A brake coolant valve is disposed in fluid communication with the main hydraulic pump and the output hydraulic pump. The brake coolant valve is controlled between an open position and a closed position. The main hydraulic pump and the output hydraulic pump are fluidly coupled to the brake pack when the brake coolant valve is in its open position.