Brake Device Parallel Valve Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake devices face challenges in providing sufficient braking force in response to sudden braking demands due to low flow rates of proportional solenoid valves, leading to inadequate responsiveness without increasing device size or cost.
Innovation Solution
A brake device incorporating a mechanical pressure regulating part with high-pressure and low-pressure ports, a pilot pressure input port, and an electrically-operated pilot pressure generating part with pressure boost and reduction control valves to manage fluid pressure effectively, ensuring sufficient braking force without enlarging the device or increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If proportional solenoid valves are used to control brake fluid flow, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but flow rate becomes insufficient for sudden braking demands
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device segments the fluid supply system into multiple independent proportional solenoid valves (first and second valves) that operate in parallel. Each valve handles a portion of the total flow requirement, allowing the system to achieve high flow rates during sudden braking while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of using standard proportional solenoid valves. The master cylinder is also segmented into first and second cylinders that receive fluid from different valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the output of multiple proportional solenoid valves by connecting them in parallel to a common brake fluid supply line. This combination allows the individual low-flow-rate valves to collectively deliver the high flow rate necessary for sudden braking, while each valve can remain a compact, cost-effective component rather than requiring a single large, complex high-flow valve.
2Productivity
If the number of proportional solenoid valves is increased to improve flow rate, then braking responsiveness improves, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses exactly two proportional solenoid valves in parallel, which is the minimum number needed to achieve sufficient flow rate without excessive device size. Each valve is responsible for supplying one master cylinder, creating a balanced segmentation that optimizes the ratio between flow capability and physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Each proportional solenoid valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently control one master cylinder, and together they collectively provide the total flow required for sudden braking. This multi-functionality allows two compact valves to replace what would otherwise require a single larger, more complex valve system.
3Reliability
If high flow rate valves are used to ensure sufficient braking force during sudden braking, then braking responsiveness improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple standard proportional solenoid valves in parallel to achieve the cumulative flow rate of high-performance valves. This merging approach maintains reliability by ensuring sufficient brake fluid delivery during sudden braking while avoiding the complexity and cost of individual high-flow-rate valves, as each valve remains a commercially available standard component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a brake fluid pressure sensor that provides feedback on the pressure in the common supply line. This feedback allows the control unit to monitor and adjust the operation of the proportional solenoid valves to ensure sufficient braking force is achieved, compensating for the lower individual flow rates of the valves through intelligent control rather than relying on inherently high-flow hardware.
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 solution enables the brake device to provide sufficient braking force with good responsiveness to sudden braking, maintaining device compactness and cost-effectiveness by leveraging the low flow rates of control valves to generate pilot fluid pressure effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a high-pressure source (accumulator 15a1) to which fluid pressure of high pressure is supplied, and a low-pressure source (reservoir tank 14) from which fluid pressure of low pressure is supplied
Implementation Method 2
a pressure boost control valve for controlling flow of the brake fluid between the high-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port
Implementation Method 3
a pressure reduction control valve for controlling flow of the brake fluid between the low-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port
Implementation Method 4
an output port which outputs fluid pressure corresponding to the pressure supplied to the pilot pressure input port by the fluid pressures supplied to both of the high-pressure port and the low-pressure port
Data Source
AI summary
A brake device includes: a mechanical pressure regulating part having a high-pressure port, a low-pressure port, a pilot pressure input port, and an output port which outputs fluid pressure corresponding to the pressure supplied to the pilot pressure input port by fluid pressures supplied to both of the high- and low-pressure ports, to a chamber for a master piston; a high-pressure source connected to the high-pressure port and the pilot pressure input port; a low-pressure source connected to the low-pressure port and the pilot pressure input port; and an electrically-operated pilot pressure generating part which includes control valves for controlling flows of the brake fluid between the high-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port, and between the low-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port, respectively, and which outputs desired fluid pressure to the pilot pressure input port by controlling flow of the brake fluid with control valves.