Brake Hydraulic Pump Phasing to Protect Suction Valve Diaphragms

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Solution Overview

Problem

The pump used in vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control devices tends to cause pulsation during operation, which affects the durability of the diaphragm in the suction valve due to its plunger-type design with check valves at intake and discharge ports.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control device is designed with a pair of pumps having discharge cycles shifted by half a cycle, driven by a single source, and featuring a suction valve with a diaphragm that opens by pressure difference, reducing pulsation transmission to the diaphragm and enhancing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single plunger-type pump with check valves is used, then the pump structure is simple, but pulsation is generated during operation which reduces diaphragm durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump structureVSAvoiddiaphragm durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single pump is divided into two pump heads that operate independently with staggered discharge cycles. Each pump head has its own plunger and check valves, creating two separate pumping actions that combine to reduce overall pulsation while maintaining the simplicity of a unified pump structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two pump heads are designed to discharge brake fluid at different phases, with discharge cycles shifted by half a cycle. This periodic staggering ensures that when one pump head is discharging, the other is suctioning, creating a more continuous and smoother overall discharge that reduces pulsation frequency and amplitude.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If a pair of pumps with shifted discharge cycles is used, then pulsation is reduced and diaphragm durability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediaphragm durabilityVSAvoidpump configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two pump heads are merged into a single integrated pump body that shares a common drive source, intake port, and discharge port. This combination achieves the pulsation-reduction benefits of dual pumps while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive source serves both pump heads simultaneously, and the shared intake and discharge ports handle fluid for both pumping actions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the complexity increase from having two pump heads.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If two separate drive sources are used for the pair of pumps, then each pump can be independently controlled, but the device size increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent pump controlVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Two drive functions are merged into a single drive source that mechanically or hydraulically actuates both plungers. This integration maintains the ability to control both pump heads while significantly reducing the space required compared to two separate drive motors or actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive source is designed to perform the function of driving both pump heads, making it a multi-functional component. This universal drive mechanism reduces the overall device volume while still enabling coordinated control of both pumping actions with shifted discharge cycles.

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

This configuration improves the durability of the diaphragm by alleviating pulsation from the pumps' operation and allows for a compact, mountable device suitable for vehicles with bar handles like motorcycles, with superior mountability and effective brake fluid management.

Implementation Method 1

the suction valve is configured to be opened by a pressure difference between a brake hydraulic pressure on the master cylinder side and a brake hydraulic pressure on an intake port side of the pumps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

at which a vacuum is created when the pumps are operated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3815997B1Vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control device
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3815997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3815997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention improves the durability of a diaphragm in a configuration where a suction valve provided with the diaphragm is provided. This vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control device is provided with a suction valve (6) disposed between a master cylinder (M) and the suction inlet of a pair of pumps (5a, 5b), wherein the suction valve (6) can be opened by a pressure difference between the brake hydraulic pressure on the master cylinder (M) side and the brake hydraulic pressure on the suction inlet side which becomes negative pressure under the actions of the pumps (5a, 5b). Each of the pumps (5a, 5b) is provided with a plunger, a suction valve, and a discharge valve. The pumps (5a, 5b) can discharge a brake liquid to a flow passage connected with the master cylinder (M) and a wheel brake (R), and are configured such that the discharge cycles of the brake liquid are different from each other by half a cycle.