Brake Pressure Generator for Consistent Drag Racing Staging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drag racing technologies face challenges in achieving consistent and repeatable brake pressure application to the front brakes of vehicles equipped with line locking devices, leading to inconsistent staging and potential false starts due to variable driver input.
Innovation Solution
A brake pressure generator with a dual-diameter piston and low/high pressure chambers, utilizing pressurized air or gas to maintain precise hydraulic pressure in the front brake system, isolated from the master cylinder by a line-locking device, ensuring consistent brake pressure without additional complexity or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If driver foot pressure is used to set initial stopping force on front tires, then the line lock device can be operated simply, but the brake stopping force becomes inconsistent from race to race
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own auxiliary gas system (already present for air shifter/parachute) to power the brake pressure generator, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex electronic controls while achieving consistent brake pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a gas-powered pressure generator that uses pressurized gas from the vehicle's auxiliary system to generate consistent hydraulic pressure in the front brake circuit, replacing the inconsistent driver foot pressure mechanism with a pneumatic-hydraulic system
2Reliability
If too much brake stopping force is applied, then the car can be held stationary reliably, but the vehicle suspension loads up and alters the vehicle from its optimum attitude
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows precise adjustment of gas pressure parameters to the regulator to achieve the optimal brake pressure that holds the vehicle stationary without excessive force that would load the suspension and alter vehicle attitude
3Measurement precision
If computer controls and additional apparatus are added to achieve consistent brake pressure, then brake pressure control precision improves, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure generator uses the vehicle's existing auxiliary gas system (designed for air shifter and parachute operation) to power the brake system, making multi-use of an existing system rather than adding dedicated new components
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the vehicle's own auxiliary gas system to power the brake pressure generator, eliminating the need for external power sources, computer controls, or additional complex apparatus
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 solution provides precise and repeatable brake pressure control, reducing the risk of false starts and suspension loading, achieved without the need for complex computer controls or additional apparatus, ensuring consistent vehicle staging across races.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure amplifier consisting of a low pressure chamber, a high pressure chamber and a dual-diameter piston. The pressurized gas acting on the piston in the low pressure chamber then pressurizes the isolated front brake system to a hydraulic pressure that is precisely equal to the gas pressure leaving the regulator multiplied by the area ratio between the two diameters of the dual-diameter piston
Data Source
AI summary
A line-locking brake system consists of a brake pressure generator which, in conjunction with a brake fluid solenoid isolates the front brake circuit from the master cylinder while maintaining a precise brake pressure in the front brake hydraulic system. The brake pressure generator consists of a pressure amplifier having a high pressure chamber located in the flow path from the master cylinder to the front brake cylinders and a low pressure chamber in fluid communication with a regulated gas pressure source. When activated, the brake pressure generator applies a pressure to the front brake circuit that is directly proportional to the pressure of the regulated gas and therefore is precisely controllable irrespective of wear on parts, driver fatigue or other variables.