Brake Fluid Bleeding Control With Wireless Bleed Screw Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for filling and bleeding brake fluid in vehicle brake systems are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error, leading to inefficiencies and safety hazards due to the need for multiple operators to manually press the brake pedal and tighten/loosen bleed screws, which can result in incomplete air evacuation and increased braking response times.

Innovation Solution

An automated system using a hydraulic pump, command sending unit, and wireless transmitter to control the brake fluid pumping and bleed screw operation, integrating the supply of brake fluid, pumping, and screw tightening/loosening through electronic commands and wireless control signals, eliminating the need for manual labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operation method is used for filling and bleeding brake fluid, then multiple operators can perform the task, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling and bleeding efficiencyVSAvoidmanual operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system. The control unit automatically controls the brake pedal actuator to press the brake pedal and the bleed screw actuator to tighten and loosen the bleed screw, eliminating the need for multiple operators to manually perform these actions. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with automated actuators resolves the contradiction by improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system enables the brake fluid filling and bleeding process to be performed autonomously without requiring multiple operators. The control unit coordinates the actuators to self-manage the entire process, from pressing the brake pedal to tightening and loosening the bleed screw, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating labor-intensive manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual operation is used to tighten and loosen bleed screw, then human error may occur, but automation increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system. The control unit automatically controls the brake pedal actuator to press the brake pedal and the bleed screw actuator to tighten and loosen the bleed screw, eliminating the need for multiple operators to manually perform these actions. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with automated actuators resolves the contradiction by improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit monitors the bleeding process and adjusts the actuator operations accordingly. This feedback control ensures that the bleed screw is tightened and loosened at the correct times and with the correct forces, eliminating human error while managing device complexity through intelligent control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automated control system is implemented, then labor cost is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the brake pedal actuator, the bleed screw actuator, and coordinates the entire filling and bleeding process. This multi-functionality allows a single centralized control system to manage all operations, reducing the need for multiple separate systems and operators, thereby improving ease of operation while managing overall system complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies and standardizes the brake fluid filling and bleeding process, reducing labor and time costs, minimizing human error, and ensuring complete air evacuation, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic pump, configured to supply brake fluid to a brake fluid reservoir of a vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an actuator, configured to transfer a rotation torque to the bleed screw according to the wireless control signal for actuating tightening or loosening of the bleed screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque transfer: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP4321400B1Equipment, system, method and computer-readable storage medium for filling and bleeding brake fluid
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4321400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4321400B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4321400B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides an equipment, a system, a method and a computer-readable storage medium for filling and bleeding brake fluid. The equipment for filling and bleeding brake fluid comprises: a hydraulic pump, configured to supply brake fluid to a brake fluid reservoir of a vehicle; a command sending unit, configured to send a command to a hydraulic brake system of the vehicle for pumping the brake fluid to a bleed screw provided on a brake fluid loop; and a wireless transmitter, configured to send a wireless control signal to an exhaust device connected to the bleed screw for actuating tightening or loosening of the bleed screw. According to the equipment, system and method for filling and bleeding brake fluid of the present disclosure, the task of filling and bleeding brake fluid can be simply and efficiently completed for the vehicle, the labor cost and time cost can be effectively saved, and meanwhile, the task flow can be standardized and operation-friendly.