Brake Dust Filtration With Remote Cyclone Suction Layout

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake air purification systems for vehicle brake systems are complex, prone to damage from proximity to brake installations, inefficient due to passive air flow, and difficult to maintain, with integrated designs suffering from high temperatures and limited application dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A brake air through flow and dust collector system is positioned distally from the brake installation, utilizing a combination of a cyclone separator, collecting element, and filter element, with an active air flow generated by a suction element, connected to a negative pressure source, to purify brake air efficiently and maintainably.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the brake air through flow device is positioned in immediate vicinity of the brake assembly, then the purification efficiency is improved, but the device is prone to damage from impacts and dirt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification efficiencyVSAvoiddevice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air duct as an intermediary component that connects the brake assembly to the brake air through flow device. This intermediary allows the purified air to be delivered close to the brake assembly while keeping the purification device itself at a safe distance, protected from impacts and dirt. The air duct mediates between the need for efficient purification (close proximity) and the need for device protection (distance).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the brake air through flow device is positioned distally from the brake installation, then the device is protected from impacts and dirt, but the purification efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidpurification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct serves as a mediator that extends the reach of the purification device. By positioning the device distally for protection while using the air duct to deliver purified air to the brake assembly, the system maintains both reliability and purification efficiency. The intermediary compensates for the distance gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a passive air flow system is used, then the system is simpler, but the air flow efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidair flow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the passive mechanical air flow system with an active pneumatic system using a vacuum generator. This substitution creates negative pressure to actively draw brake air through the purification device, significantly improving air flow efficiency. The mechanical simplicity is maintained through the use of a compact vacuum generator rather than complex mechanical pumps or fans.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive pressure (passive flow) to negative pressure (active vacuum-driven flow). By introducing negative pressure through the vacuum generator, the system achieves much higher air flow efficiency while maintaining relative simplicity. This parameter change transforms the air flow characteristics without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Volume of moving object

If an integrated brake dust collector is designed, then the system is compact, but maintenance and serviceability become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidserviceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brake air purification system into separate functional components: the brake air through flow device, the air duct, and the vacuum generator. This segmentation allows each component to be independently accessed, inspected, and maintained. The modular design maintains compactness while significantly improving serviceability, as components can be serviced without disassembling the entire brake system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides stable, efficient purification of brake air by separating and collecting dust particles, protecting the device from impacts and maintaining operation with ease of service and reduced parts, ensuring reliable air quality.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone separator element (530) of the brake air through flow device (220) separates and collects dust particles from the brake air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The housing (501) of the cyclone separator element (530) has a tangential inlet (581) for receiving the brake air flow (BA) and a central outlet (582) for discharging the brake air flow (BA) purified from dust particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a suction element (230) is provided at the distal environment (E) to generate a suction pressure to the brake air (BA) receivable from the brake air through flow device (220) to generate a propulsive brake air flow (BA) through the brake air through flow device (220)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4379229B1A brake air through flow and brake dust collector system for a brake installation, vehicle brake system and method for purifying brake air from a vehicle brake system
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ZF CV SYST GLOBAL GMBH
  • EP4379229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379229B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4379229B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Brake air through flow and brake dust collector system for a brake installation, comprising: an air duct (211) for receiving brake air in the vicinity of the brake installation and transporting it to an environment distal from the brake installation; at least one brake air through flow device (500) with a combination of a cyclone separator element (530), a collecting element (510) and a filter element (550), wherein the brake air through flow device is adapted for separating and collecting dust particles from the brake air flow and filtering the brake air flow thereafter. According to the invention at least one suction element (230) is provided for generating a suction pressure to the brake air receivable from the brake air through flow device to generate a propulsive brake air flow through the brake air through flow device.