Vehicle Brake Filter Duct Switching for Particulate Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dispersion of particulate matter from friction braking apparatuses into the environment poses a health risk to drivers and others, particularly in racing environments where air flow direction exacerbates inhalation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A braking apparatus with a filter duct system that captures particulate matter from the braking process, using a filter to retain particles while allowing air to pass through, and directs the filtered air away from the vehicle, thereby reducing environmental dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling ducts discharge air directly into the environment, then cooling efficiency is improved, but particulate matter disperses into the environment causing health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a filter as an intermediary component between the cooling duct and the environment. The filter captures particulate matter from the discharged air while allowing the cooling function to continue, thus mediating between the need for effective cooling and the need to reduce particulate emission into the environment.
2Temperature
If air flow is directed parallel to and opposite to the forward direction of the car, then cooling efficiency is improved, but drivers are exposed to higher risk of inhaling particulate
Solution Approach 1:
The filter acts as an intermediary that protects the driver by capturing particulate matter before the air is discharged in the direction opposite to the car's forward motion. This maintains the effective cooling airflow direction while introducing a protective barrier against harmful particles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a filter is added to capture particulate matter, then particulate emission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a filter element that can be implemented as a relatively simple component within the existing cooling duct structure. By using a filter medium (such as a pleated filter or mesh) that can be integrated into the duct, the design reduces particulate emission without substantially increasing overall device complexity.
4Force
If friction material is used to generate braking force, then braking performance is improved, but particulate matter is released during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of friction material wear (particulate release) into a manageable issue by capturing the particles through the filter system. The braking force generation continues to rely on friction material, but the harmful particulate byproduct is now captured and removed from the environment, effectively converting a harmful side effect into a controlled process.
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
Effectively reduces the emission of particulate matter into the environment, minimizing health risks for drivers and others, while maintaining the functionality of the braking apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
A braking apparatus for a vehicle (1) comprises a braking apparatus (5) having at least one disc (6) and at least one pad (7), a cooling duct (8) to cool the braking apparatus (5), a filter duct (20) arranged on the outside of the wheel (2), for extending between an inlet communicating with an outlet opening (13) of the cooling duct (8) and an outlet (21) towards the external environment, and a filter (30) arranged at a branch (23) and configured to filter particulate from air passing through the branch (23)
Data Source
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AI summary
A braking apparatus (4) for a vehicle (1) includes a braking apparatus (5) with a pair of friction members (6, 7) and selectively operable to provoke braking of the vehicle (1) by pressing the friction members (6, 7) against each other, a cooling duct (8) extending between an air inlet (12) for the intake of outside air and an outlet opening (13) for discharging the air that entered through the air inlet (12), wherein at least one of the friction members (6, 7) is arranged in the cooling duct (8), a filter duct (20) extending between an inlet communicating with the outlet opening (13) and an outlet (21) to the external environment with a first and a second branch (22, 23) arranged in parallel, valve means (27) comprising an obstructer element (28) and controllable according to at least a first configuration, in which the obstructer element (28) at least partially obstructs the first branch (22) and clears the second branch (23), and a second configuration, in which the obstructer element (28) at least partially obstructs the second branch (23) and clears the first branch (22), a first filter (30) arranged at the second branch (23) and configured to filter particulate from the air passing through the second branch (23), and actuating means (40) configured to drive the valve means (27) into the first configuration from the second configuration in response to the braking of the vehicle (1).