Brake System Test Bench Adaptation via CFD Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing vehicle brake systems on test stands require complex, time-consuming, and expensive track tests to simulate real-world conditions, posing safety risks and limiting the ability to quickly adapt to changes in vehicle geometry or materials.

Innovation Solution

Creating flow simulation models of vehicles and test stands using geometric data, allowing for the calculation of thermal behavior and adjustment of input variables to match simulation results, thereby eliminating the need for costly track tests and enabling quick, cost-effective testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If track tests are conducted to adapt test bench conditions, then test realism is improved, but test complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest realismVSAvoidtest complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy (CFD simulation model) of the vehicle and test bench geometry to replicate real-world flow conditions virtually. This virtual model allows adaptation of test bench parameters without physical track tests, eliminating the contradiction between test realism and complexity by replacing complex physical experiments with computational simulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical track test system with a computational fluid dynamics simulation system. By substituting physical experimentation with numerical simulation, the method achieves realistic flow condition adaptation without the complexity, cost, and safety risks of actual track tests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If track tests are conducted to determine flow conditions, then thermal behavior accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal behavior accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary CFD simulations to determine flow conditions and thermal behavior before conducting actual brake tests. By calculating cooling air requirements and flow conditions in advance using the virtual model, the method eliminates time-consuming track tests while maintaining thermal behavior accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes time-consuming physical track tests with rapid computational fluid dynamics simulations. The CFD model can quickly iterate through different scenarios and provide accurate thermal behavior predictions without the time constraints of physical experimentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If track tests are used to adapt test parameters, then test accuracy is improved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest accuracyVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a virtual digital twin (CFD simulation model) to perform all necessary adaptations and measurements before physical testing. This eliminates safety risks associated with track tests while maintaining test accuracy, as the virtual model can be safely modified and tested without risk to personnel or equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If cooling air flow is increased to prevent maximum temperature, then brake system reliability is improved, but vehicle resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake system reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses CFD simulation to optimize cooling air flow parameters by analyzing the relationship between air flow rate, flow distribution, and brake temperature. The simulation identifies the optimal cooling air flow that prevents maximum temperature while minimizing vehicle resistance, allowing precise parameter adjustment rather than conservative over-cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent analyzes flow conditions at specific locations around the brake system using CFD, enabling localized optimization of cooling air distribution. This allows cooling air to be directed precisely where needed on the brake components, improving cooling efficiency and reducing overall air flow requirements, thereby minimizing vehicle resistance while maintaining brake reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 method allows for efficient and safe testing of brake systems by simulating flow conditions and thermal behavior, reducing the need for extensive track testing and enabling rapid incorporation of changes to vehicle geometry or materials, while identifying and correcting errors in simulation models.

Implementation Method 1

The heat generated is mainly transported away by forced convection. The flow conditions around components of the brake system have an influence on convection.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

The heat generated is mainly transported away by forced convection. The heat generated due to friction has a significant influence on the brake system.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction heating: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3321657B1Method for testing the brake system of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 AVL LIST GMBH
  • EP3321657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3321657B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3321657B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing a brake system (B) of a vehicle (F), wherein simulation results are used to adapt a test on a test bench (P). The object of the invention is to provide a method for improving the test of the brake system (B). According to the invention, this is achieved by creating a first flow simulation model (S1) of the vehicle (F) from geometric data (G), and a second flow simulation model (S2) of the test bench (P), and by calculating a first simulation result with at least one first input variable based on the first flow simulation model (S1), and by making changes (Δ) to at least one second input variable in the second simulation model (S2) until a second simulation result of the second simulation model (S2) that essentially corresponds to the first simulation result is obtained.