Vehicle Brake System Thermal Expansion Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of braking force generation in vehicle brake systems is compromised due to the expansion of brake fluid caused by frictional heat, leading to increased brake fluid pressure and reduced control over braking performance.

Innovation Solution

A brake system with two hydraulic systems and a control unit that manages the communication between these systems and a reservoir, allowing brake fluid to flow between them or into a reservoir when the output characteristic of brake fluid pressure shifts from its basic characteristic, thereby regulating brake fluid pressure and maintaining accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the master-cut valve is closed to shut off brake fluid pressure from the pedal-operated master cylinder, then the hydraulic system becomes a closed system and brake fluid pressure can be generated by the motor cylinder device, but the brake fluid expands due to frictional heat causing brake fluid pressure to become higher than intended, which decreases the accuracy of braking force generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake fluid pressure controlVSAvoidbraking force accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the expanded brake fluid from the closed hydraulic system by opening the master-cut valve to allow communication with the pedal-operated master cylinder system, which acts as a reservoir. This removes the harmful thermal expansion effect while maintaining the motor cylinder device's primary control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the hydraulic system from closed to open by adjusting the master-cut valve position. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion of brake fluid while maintaining pressure control accuracy through controlled communication between the two hydraulic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the hydraulic system is kept closed to maintain brake fluid pressure generated by the motor cylinder device, then braking force can be controlled accurately under normal conditions, but when brake fluid temperature rises and expands, the pressure becomes higher than the target pressure, reducing control accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake fluid pressure generationVSAvoidbrake fluid pressure accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The master-cut valve dynamically switches between closed and open positions based on system conditions. Under normal conditions, it remains closed to maintain precise pressure control. When thermal expansion occurs, it opens to relieve excess pressure, providing adaptive response to changing system states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors brake fluid pressure and temperature conditions, and based on this feedback, controls the master-cut valve to open or close. This feedback mechanism ensures pressure accuracy is maintained by compensating for thermal expansion effects through appropriate valve positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively reduces the decrease in braking force accuracy caused by brake fluid expansion, ensuring consistent and accurate braking performance by adjusting brake fluid pressure to match the basic characteristic, even when the brake fluid temperature rises.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature of the brake fluid rises by heating the brake fluid with the frictional heat, so that the brake fluid expands.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2985199B1Brake system for vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2985199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2985199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2985199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a brake system (10) for a vehicle including an input side hydraulic system (Pin), an output side hydraulic system (Pout), a first and a second shutoff valves (60b, 60a) to shut off flowing of the brake fluid between the input side hydraulic system and the output side hydraulic system when closed, a first and a second out-valves (128, 130) through which the brake fluid flows into a reservoir unit (132) when opened, and a control unit (150) to control a motor cylinder device (16) of the output side hydraulic system to generate the brake fluid pressure (Bp) according to the operational amount of a brake pedal (12). The control unit opens one or both of the first and the second shutoff valves and the first and the second out-valves when output characteristic (Thigh) of the brake fluid pressure generated by the motor cylinder device shifts from basic characteristic (Tstd).