Brake Pressure Relief for Accurate Vehicle Emission Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mass-produced motor vehicles often have pre-applied braking force due to production errors, leading to inaccurate conformity of emission (COE) test results, as the suspension system's impact is simulated differently during testing, causing brake dragging and poor testing conformity.

Innovation Solution

A portable pressure relief device comprising a vacuum pump, adjustable pressure-regulating valve, and a controller, connected to the brake fluid storage container, which allows for selective release of braking force by adjusting negative pressure, ensuring consistent testing conditions across various vehicle models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a specific spring device is designed and installed onto the wheels before each emission test to separate the friction sheet from the brake disc, then the brake dragging issue is resolved for that specific vehicle, but the device complexity increases and requires different designs for different vehicle models

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidspring device design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a universal brake pressure relief device that can be used across different vehicle models. Instead of creating specific spring devices for each vehicle type, the invention uses a standardized vacuum pump system with adaptable connection interfaces that can relieve brake pressure on various vehicle models, eliminating the need for model-specific device designs while maintaining testing accuracy

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary vacuum pump system that mediates between the testing requirement and the brake system. The vacuum pump acts as a mediator to create negative pressure in the brake fluid, which releases the braking force without requiring direct mechanical intervention on the brake components, thus avoiding the complexity of designing vehicle-specific mechanical spring devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If different spring devices are designed for different types of motor vehicles, then the brake dragging issue is resolved for each vehicle model, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and labor costs increase due to batch installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoiddevice manufacturing and installation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a universal brake pressure relief device that can be used across different vehicle models. Instead of creating specific spring devices for each vehicle type, the invention uses a standardized vacuum pump system with adaptable connection interfaces that can relieve brake pressure on various vehicle models, eliminating the need for model-specific device designs while maintaining testing accuracy

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the brake pressure relief process to be quickly performed on-demand without requiring complex pre-installation procedures. The vacuum pump system can be connected to the brake fluid storage container through simple liquid-tight connections, allowing testers to perform pressure relief operations independently without requiring specialized installation teams or complex manufacturing processes for each vehicle model

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the motor vehicle undergoes the exhaust emission test with pre-applied braking force, then the test can be conducted without additional devices, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate test data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidemission test data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing brake pressure relief before the emission test begins. The vacuum pump system is connected to the brake fluid storage container and creates negative pressure to release the pre-applied braking force, ensuring the brake system is in the correct initial state before testing starts. This preliminary intervention prevents measurement errors without interfering with the actual emission testing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary vacuum pump system that mediates between the testing requirement and the brake system. The vacuum pump acts as a mediator to create negative pressure in the brake fluid, which releases the braking force without requiring direct mechanical intervention on the brake components, thus avoiding the complexity of designing vehicle-specific mechanical spring devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively eliminates pre-applied braking force, ensuring accurate COE test results and reducing labor and material costs by allowing for adjustable pressure settings and real-time pressure monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pump; a power supply capable of providing electric power to the vacuum pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

an adjustable pressure-regulating valve connected in series in the hose... configured to set or regulate a negative pressure output by the hose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3851349B1Device for avoiding brake dragging in a motor vehicle conformity of emission test
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SHANGHAI VOLVO CAR RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP3851349B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3851349B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3851349B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application discloses a portable pressure relief device for avoiding brake dragging in a conformity of emission test of a motor vehicle, comprising: a vacuum pump (130); a power supply (120) capable of providing electric power to the vacuum pump (130); a controller (110) controlling power supply (120) to selectively provide electric power to the vacuum pump (130); and a hose (102) extending from an outlet of the vacuum pump (130), wherein an adjustable pressure-regulating valve (140) is connected in series in the hose (102), and an end of the hose (102) is provided with a connection port liquid-tightly and removably connectable to a brake fluid storage container (210) of a brake drive unit (200) of the motor vehicle. The present application also discloses a method for carrying out a conformity of emission test for a motor vehicle using said pressure relief device.