Brake Fluid Reservoir Venting and Filtration for Clean Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Racing motorcycle brake fluid reservoirs are prone to contamination during topping up and bleeding operations, leading to potential braking system failures due to the introduction of impurities and difficulty in air evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A brake fluid reservoir design with an auxiliary opening and valve system that regulates fluid flow through a separate inlet, minimizing exposure to external contaminants and facilitating bleeding operations, while using a filter in the delivery conduit to further purify incoming fluid without interfering with system functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is positioned inside the brake fluid receptacle to prevent impurities from circulating, then the braking system is protected from impurities, but bleeding operations become difficult and air escape is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the filtering function into two separate locations: a first filter in the delivery conduit (for incoming fluid) and a second filter in the receptacle (for circulating fluid). This segmentation allows the second filter to be designed with a configuration that facilitates air escape during bleeding operations while the first filter protects against contamination during topping up
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary component - a removable cap with an integrated first filter in the delivery conduit. This intermediary structure allows filtered brake fluid to enter the receptacle while maintaining the ability to perform bleeding operations through the same cap, thus mediating between contamination protection and bleeding accessibility
2Ease of operation
If the brake fluid reservoir is opened for bleeding and topping up during test sessions, then fluid management operations can be performed, but impurities and dirt enter the brake fluid causing system problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary action by positioning the first filter in the delivery conduit before the brake fluid enters the receptacle. This pre-filtering arrangement ensures that impurities are removed from incoming fluid before contamination can occur, allowing topping up operations to be performed without opening the main receptacle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the primary filtering function from the receptacle interior and places it in the delivery conduit cap. This extraction allows the receptacle to remain sealed during topping up operations, with only the cap being removed for fluid addition, thereby preventing environmental contamination while maintaining fluid management capability
3Reliability
If a filter is used in the brake fluid receptacle, then impurities are filtered from circulating fluid, but the progressive clogging requires periodic inspection or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention treats the filters as disposable components that can be easily replaced. The first filter in the cap and the second filter in the receptacle are designed to be inexpensive and simple to replace, transforming the maintenance burden from complex filter inspection to simple periodic replacement of consumable filtering elements
Data Source
AI summary
A brake fluid reservoir (1) comprising a receptacle (2), adapted to contain brake fluid, said receptacle (2) forming a bottom wall (3) and a perimetric wall (4), wherein the bottom wall (3) and the perimetric wall (4) define an inner compartment (5) for containing the brake fluid, wherein the perimetric wall (4) defines an inlet opening (6) opposite to the bottom wall (3) communicating with the inner compartment (5), and the bottom wall (3) defines an outlet opening (7) communicating with the inner compartment (5) and fluidically connectable to a braking system; a cap (8) configured to close the inlet opening (6); wherein the receptacle (2) defines an auxiliary opening (9), distinct from the inlet opening (6) and the outlet opening (7), communicating with the inner compartment (5); and wherein the reservoir (1) comprises a valve (10) positioned in the auxiliary opening (9), said valve (10) being configured to regulate a flow of brake fluid through the auxiliary opening (9).