Brake System Leak Localization via Reservoir Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for motor vehicles face challenges in detecting and locating small leaks, which can compromise safety during operation, as these leaks are not easily detectable through volume measurement in the pressure provision device.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that utilizes a pressure medium reservoir tank with a level determination device, such as sensors or reed contacts, to monitor pressure medium levels and trigger a diagnostic routine to localize leaks, allowing the system to switch to fallback operating modes to maintain safety by isolating the affected area and preventing further pressure medium loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If volume measurement in the pressure provision device is used to detect leaks, then the detection method is simple, but small leaks cannot be determined and located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional volume measurement in the pressure provision device to a multi-dimensional approach by monitoring the pressure medium level in the reservoir tank, which provides additional spatial information for detecting and locating leaks that were previously undetectable by volume measurement alone
2Reliability
If the brake system operates in fallback mode with master cylinder only, then safety is maintained, but braking performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different operating modes (normal mode with pressure provision device, fallback mode with master cylinder only, and restricted fallback mode with selective wheel brake isolation) based on leak detection results, allowing the system to optimize between safety and braking performance in real-time
3Loss of substance
If inlet valves of all wheel brakes are closed to isolate leaks, then pressure medium loss is prevented, but braking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brake system into independent controllable units by selectively closing inlet valves for specific wheel brakes based on leak location, allowing isolation of the affected area while maintaining braking capability in unaffected wheel brakes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by targeting the isolation action to the specific wheel brake or group of wheel brakes where the leak is detected, rather than applying a global isolation to all wheel brakes, thus preserving braking functionality where it is still safe to operate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a brake system for motor vehicles, comprising a master brake cylinder actuable by a brake pedal, an electrically controllable pressure provision device, a pressure medium reservoir tank, from which the master brake cylinder and the pressure provision device are supplied with pressure medium, and at least two hydraulically actuable wheel brakes and at least one electrically actuable inlet valve per wheel brake, wherein the wheel brakes are actuable either by the master brake cylinder or by the pressure provision device, the pressure medium reservoir tank is monitored by a device for determining a level of the pressure medium, wherein the wheel brakes are divided into at least one first wheel brake group and one second wheel brake group, and wherein the inlet valves of the first wheel brake group are closed when the determined level falls below a first limit value (s1).