Disk Brake Particle Capture Conduit with Speed-Controlled Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively and cost-efficiently reduce the emission of hazardous and toxic particles from disk brake systems during braking, which account for 20% of road traffic emissions, affecting human health regardless of vehicle type or propulsion method.
Innovation Solution
A capture method and device using a capture conduit with an air inlet and outlet, integrated shutter, and control system to manage airflow and particle capture, where the shutter adjusts based on vehicle speed to optimize particle collection and minimize escape, utilizing a single conduit with filtration elements and an on-board computer for speed-based control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a capture conduit is equipped with a shutter and filtration elements to capture particles, then particle emission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capture conduit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a cooling air flow path and a particle capture system. The same conduit that cools the brake elements also transports captured particles to the filtration elements, eliminating the need for separate capture and cooling pathways and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing on-board computer to control the shutter based on speed signals already being processed. This leverages existing vehicle infrastructure rather than requiring a dedicated control system, reducing complexity while maintaining effective particle capture control.
2Reliability
If the shutter closes the conduit at low speeds to prevent particle escape, then particle capture reliability improves, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to be dynamically controllable based on vehicle speed. It transitions from a static closed position to a dynamically adjustable opening that varies with speed, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain both particle capture reliability and cooling efficiency across varying speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the shutter (opening degree) based on vehicle speed parameters. At low speeds, the shutter is closed to prevent particle escape; at higher speeds, it opens progressively to allow both cooling air flow and particle capture, with the opening degree adjusted as a function of speed to optimize both cooling and capture effectiveness.
3Temperature
If the plate is fully opened at high speeds for maximum cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but particle capture reliability deteriorates due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter provides dynamic control of the conduit opening at high speeds, adjusting the opening degree as a function of vehicle speed rather than being fully open. This dynamic adjustment creates an optimal balance between allowing sufficient cooling air flow and maintaining laminar flow conditions that ensure reliable particle capture, preventing the turbulence that would occur with a fully open conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the opening parameter of the shutter as a function of speed parameter. Rather than a binary open/closed state, the opening degree is continuously adjusted based on speed, creating an optimal operational parameter range at high speeds that simultaneously satisfies both cooling efficiency and particle capture reliability requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single conduit is used for both cooling and particle capture, then implementation cost is reduced, but functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single capture conduit is designed to perform both cooling and particle capture functions simultaneously. By positioning filtration elements within the conduit and using the cooling air flow itself to transport particles to the filters, the system achieves dual functionality without requiring separate dedicated pathways, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness while ensuring both cooling and particle capture performance.
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
Significantly reduces particle emissions from disk brake systems while maintaining low implementation costs, ensuring reliable capture of particles across various vehicle types and conditions, including public transport scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
conduct, when the vehicle is moving, an air flow for cooling said friction braking elements
Implementation Method 2
transport towards the capture means of the particles ejected by the friction braking elements
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for capturing particles ejected by friction braking elements (2) of a braking system (1, 2) with disk brakes (1) of a vehicle. The braking system is equipped with a capture conduit (3) taking a form adapted to accommodate the friction braking elements (2) and to conduct, while the vehicle is moving, an air flow for cooling the friction braking elements, the conduit integrating a shutter (6) with a plate (6a) positioned upstream of the friction braking elements (2), and a unit (5) for capturing particles ejected by the friction braking elements (2). Furthermore, the shutter (6) is controlled so as to move the plate (6a) between a position of closing the conduit (3), set for vehicle travel speeds lower than a predefined threshold speed Vs, and at least one position of at least partially opening the conduit (3), for vehicle travel speeds higher than the threshold speed Vs.