Brake Dust Filter Water Separation for Wet-Condition Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active brake dust particle filter systems face challenges in reliably operating in humid or wet environmental conditions, as water can reduce filter performance, decrease service lifetime, and damage airflow generators.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a water separating assembly with baffle elements to inertially separate water from the airflow, and a water drainage assembly to drain the separated water, ensuring that water does not affect the filter or airflow generator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system operates in humid or wet conditions, then the brake dust particle filter system can function in various environmental conditions, but water is dragged along in the airflow which reduces filter performance and may damage the airflow generator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capability in humid or wet conditionsVSAvoidfilter performance and airflow generator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A water separating assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the collector and the airflow generator. This assembly includes a water separator that receives the airflow from the collector and separates water from the airflow before it reaches the airflow generator and filter element, thus protecting the system while maintaining operational capability in wet conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water separating assembly extracts water from the airflow that is dragged along during operation in humid or wet conditions. By removing the harmful water component before it reaches the filter element and airflow generator, the system maintains reliability while preserving adaptability to various environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If water is present in the airflow, then the system can operate in wet conditions, but the filter element performance is reduced and service lifetime is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation in wet conditionsVSAvoidfilter element service lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The water separating assembly performs preliminary separation of water from the airflow before the air reaches the filter element. This preliminary action prevents water from accumulating on the filter element, thereby preserving filter performance and extending service lifetime while allowing operation in wet conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If water is sucked into the airflow generator, then the system operates in humid conditions, but the airflow generator may be damaged or its performance impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation in humid conditionsVSAvoidairflow generator integrity and performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water separating assembly acts as a protective intermediary between the collector and the airflow generator. It intercepts and separates water from the airflow, preventing water from reaching the airflow generator and causing potential damage or performance impairment, thus ensuring reliable operation in humid conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows the active brake dust particle filter system to be reliably operated in humid or wet conditions, preventing water from reducing filter performance, extending the filter's service life, and protecting the airflow generator from damage.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one baffle element is used to deflect the airflow from its original flow direction. However, due to its inertia, the water dragged along in the airflow can then no longer follow the deflected airflow. The water is separated from the airflow.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4556740A1Active brake dust particle filter system
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4556740A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556740A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4556740A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An active brake dust particle filter system (1) includes an airflow generator (5) configured to generate an airflow, at least one collector (6) arranged at least partially surrounding at least one brake disc (4) and configured to collect brake dust particles from an ambient air of the at least one brake disc (4) via the airflow, at least one pipe (7) connecting the airflow generator (5) and the at least one collector (6) and for conducting the airflow from the at least one collector (6) towards the airflow generator (5), and a water separating assembly (9) including at least one baffle element (13, 14) configured to separate water from the airflow.