Brake Fluid Temperature Estimation Using Friction Element Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance brake systems with enhanced heat dissipation and thermal resistance reduce brake temperature feedback for drivers, leading to inadequate warning of hydraulic brake overheating and potential failure due to vaporization of brake fluid.
Innovation Solution
A system that estimates brake fluid temperature using data from brake friction elements, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors, and provides a warning when the temperature exceeds a threshold, utilizing a controller configured to receive and process temperature data from friction elements to calculate brake fluid temperature and trigger alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brake components with enhanced thermal resistance (e.g., carbon ceramic brake discs) are used to combat brake fade, then braking performance and thermal stability are improved, but brake temperature feedback to drivers is reduced, making it difficult to detect overheating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses brake disc temperature as an intermediary measurement to infer brake fluid temperature. Since direct brake fluid temperature measurement is complex, the system measures the brake disc temperature (which is more accessible) and uses it as a proxy indicator for brake fluid temperature, enabling indirect monitoring of the critical parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct thermal measurement of brake fluid with a computational model that uses electrical sensors measuring brake disc temperature. The electronic controller processes this data through algorithms to estimate brake fluid temperature, substituting direct thermal sensing with an electronic measurement and calculation system
2Measurement precision
If dedicated brake fluid temperature sensors are installed to monitor brake fluid temperature directly, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the brake fluid environment and relocates it to the brake disc. By measuring temperature in the brake disc (which has better sensor accessibility) and using computational inference, the system eliminates the need to place sensors directly in the brake fluid, thereby reducing measurement complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model that copies the thermal behavior relationship between brake disc and brake fluid. Instead of directly measuring brake fluid temperature, the system uses a mathematical model to replicate the temperature conditions based on brake disc measurements, providing an indirect but sufficient measurement
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for estimating or monitoring the temperature of brake fluid in a hydraulic brake mechanism, the system comprising a controller configured for: receiving data related to the temperature of a brake friction element of said hydraulic brake mechanism; and estimating the temperature of said brake fluid based upon said data. Aspects of the invention also relate to brake systems and vehicles comprising such systems, to related methods, and to suitable controllers and software.