Brake Device Fluid Leak Detection via Valve Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake apparatuses fail to identify a leak spot during brake fluid leakage while generating a braking force, posing a challenge in securing a sufficient braking force.
Innovation Solution
The brake apparatus incorporates a hydraulic-pressure source, fluid passages, control valves, and hydraulic-pressure sensors to alternate the control valves' positions and detect fluid leakage by comparing target hydraulic pressure with detected values, ensuring a stable increase in braking force and securement of braking force even during leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional brake apparatuses use sensors to detect wheel-cylinder hydraulic pressures for defect detection, then braking force can be secured in non-defective wheels, but the ability to identify the specific leak spot during braking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into multiple independent hydraulic circuits (first fluid passage and second fluid passage), each with its own control valve and pressure sensor. This segmentation allows independent detection and isolation of leaks in each circuit, enabling both braking force security in other wheels and identification of the specific leak spot.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic pressure sensors to continuously monitor pressure in each fluid passage and provides feedback to the control unit. By comparing target pressure with actual pressure and analyzing pressure changes during control valve switching, the system can identify leak spots while maintaining braking force in other circuits.
2Loss of information
If the brake apparatus switches control valves alternately to detect fluid leakage, then leak spot identification is enabled, but the stability of braking force may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control valves are switched alternately in a periodic manner with predetermined periods. This periodic switching enables systematic detection of pressure changes in each circuit to identify leaks, while the regular pattern ensures predictable system behavior and maintains overall braking force stability through controlled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own control valves and hydraulic pressure sensors to perform self-diagnosis by monitoring pressure changes during normal operation. The control unit analyzes pressure feedback from each circuit to identify leaks without external intervention, maintaining both detection capability and braking stability.
3Productivity
If valve-opening duration is increased to accelerate fluid leakage detection, then detection speed improves, but the complexity of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening duration of control valves based on detected hydraulic pressure levels. When pressure increases indicate a leak, the valve-opening duration is extended to accelerate detection. This parameter adjustment enables faster leak detection while the control unit manages the complexity through algorithmic control rather than mechanical 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
This solution enables the identification of a leak spot and securement of a sufficient braking force by alternately switching control valves and adjusting valve durations based on hydraulic pressure, ensuring stable and responsive braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic-pressure source configured to supply a plurality of wheel cylinders with a brake fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
a first hydraulic-pressure sensor placed in the first fluid passage and configured to detect a hydraulic pressure existing between the hydraulic-pressure source and the first wheel cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a brake apparatus configured to identify a fluid leak spot while generating a braking force. The brake apparatus is configured to drive pump 7 to supply a brake fluid to a first fluid passage (fluid passage 11P, discharge passage 13P) and a second fluid passage (fluid passage 11S, discharge passage 13S), switch communicating valves 23P and 23S alternately between open and closed positions more than once, and detect a brake-fluid leakage in the first or second fluid passage on the basis of magnitudes of detection values detected by hydraulic-pressure sensors 92P and 92S during the open-close switching.