Multi-Cyclone Brake Dust Separation for Water and Clog Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current brake dust separation systems are inefficient in handling mixed pollutants from braking, particularly when temperatures exceed 600°C, leading to filter medium limitations and early clogging, especially with water presence, which complicates long-term performance and increases the risk of clogging or pressure loss.

Innovation Solution

A braking particle and dust separation device featuring a group of cyclones within a housing that separates particles, dust, and water through a centrifugal effect, using a tubular design with gravity discharge orifices and an intake manifold to distribute airflow radially, preventing heterogeneous mixtures from rising and facilitating efficient fallout of heavy particles, thereby extending the life of downstream filtration stages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a filter medium is placed close to the braking zone to capture particles and dust, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the filter medium is exposed to high temperatures (approaching 600°C) which limits material choices and reduces performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the separation process into two distinct stages: a first separation stage using a filter medium close to the braking zone for high-temperature particle capture, and a second separation stage using a cyclone separator for water droplet and heavy particle removal. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its optimal temperature and functional range, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and temperature exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone separator acts as an intermediary element between the high-temperature braking zone and the filter medium. It receives the air flow first, separates water droplets and heavy particles through centrifugal force, and then directs the pre-treated air to the filter medium. This intermediary protects the filter medium from direct exposure to extreme temperatures while maintaining separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the filter medium is placed close to the braking zone for effective particle capture, then the separation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to material selection constraints and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant reduction performanceVSAvoidmaterial selection and maintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separation function is segmented between two distinct components: a filter medium for particle capture and a cyclone separator for water and heavy particle removal. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by allowing each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, reducing the complexity of material selection and maintenance compared to a single complex filter system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces part of the mechanical filtration function with a cyclone separator that uses centrifugal force for separation. This substitution reduces the burden on the filter medium, allowing it to focus on particle capture while the cyclone handles water and heavy particles, thereby simplifying material selection and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the filter medium captures particles and dust in the presence of water, then the particle capture is improved, but the liquid saturation promotes early clogging and pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle capture efficiencyVSAvoidfilter medium service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone separator performs preliminary separation of water droplets and heavy particles from the air flow before the air reaches the filter medium. This preliminary action removes the substances that would cause clogging, allowing the filter medium to operate longer without saturation and maintaining particle capture efficiency throughout the service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone separator serves as an intermediary that protects the filter medium from water saturation. By separating water droplets and heavy particles first, it prevents these substances from reaching and saturating the filter medium, thereby extending the filter's service life while maintaining particle capture efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a simple cyclone is used to separate braking particles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the separation efficiency remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation system simplicityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separation system is segmented into two distinct stages: a simple cyclone separator for water and heavy particle removal, and a filter medium for fine particle capture. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while the combination achieves high overall separation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges a simple cyclone separator with a filter medium in a coordinated two-stage system. The cyclone handles water and heavy particles, while the filter medium handles fine particles. This merging of simple components achieves high separation efficiency without requiring a single complex device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device effectively separates heavy dust particles and water, reducing the risk of clogging and pressure loss, while maintaining efficiency even in the presence of water, thus enhancing the long-term performance and adaptability of the separation system.

Implementation Method 1

a group of cyclones, housed in the casing and making it possible to separate particles and dust as well as water/liquid droplets present in the air flow admitted via the inlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal effect: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the separation means comprise a group of cyclones, housed in the casing and making it possible to separate particles and dust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 3

each of the cyclones comprising a downwardly tapering body having a lower end opening via a gravity discharge orifice into said trapping zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3938675B1Separating device and use of the device for separating and collecting brake dust
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 SOGEFI FILTRATION
  • EP3938675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3938675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3938675B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The separating device (1) receives via a lower inlet (E) an air flow (F) laden with impurities, namely dust produced by pads of a brake assembly, and makes it possible to separate and collect heavy dust (PS). The housing (2) of the device contains a multi-cyclone cluster, with cyclones (6) distributed annularly and supplied tangentially by a central collector (11) surmounting an axial duct (4) communicating with the inlet (E). The centrifuged and separated liquid and solid particles are directly collected below the cyclones in a trapping zone (Z4) around the duct (4), the cluster forming a transverse barrier (BT) connected in a sealed manner to the duct (4) so as to prevent the liquid collected in the trapping zone (Z4) from rising towards a downstream zone (Z2), only gravity discharge orifices (O6) of the cyclones (6) allowing the trapping zone (Z4) to be filled during the operation of the device.