Vehicle Brake Valve Bubble Filtration for Reliable Hydraulic Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Braking devices in vehicles are susceptible to air bubbles in the braking liquid, which reduce the effectiveness of the braking action, potentially leading to ineffective or nullified braking.

Innovation Solution

A secondary braking valve with a dual-tank system, filtering element, and inclined closing element to separate and drain air bubbles, ensuring the braking liquid entering the braking chamber is bubble-free.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air bubbles are present in the braking oil, then the braking effectiveness is reduced or nullified, but removing air bubbles completely requires complex degassing systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking effectivenessVSAvoiddegassing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a collecting tank positioned at the highest point of the braking device where air bubbles can naturally rise and collect before the oil is pumped into the braking circuit. The pump draws oil from below the bubble collection zone, ensuring bubble-free oil is delivered to the braking circuit without requiring complex active degassing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The collecting tank acts as an intermediary between the oil reservoir and the braking circuit. It serves as a buffer zone where air bubbles are trapped and prevented from entering the pumping system, thereby protecting the braking circuit from bubble contamination without requiring direct intervention in the oil flow path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single-tank system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but air bubbles cannot be effectively separated from the working liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank system complexityVSAvoidbubble separation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single tank into two functional zones: a collecting tank for air bubble accumulation positioned at the top, and a pumping zone below for bubble-free oil extraction. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a simple single-tank structure while achieving effective bubble separation through spatial functional division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension within the single tank by positioning the oil level such that the collecting zone for air bubbles is at the top while the pump draws from a lower level. This dimensional approach allows bubble separation without requiring multiple separate tanks or complex mechanical separation devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Speed

If the brake pedal is released quickly, then the braking response time is reduced, but air bubbles may be drawn into the braking circuit during rapid oil recirculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake response timeVSAvoidbubble-free operation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous connection between the collecting tank and the pump, ensuring that the oil reservoir is always primed with bubble-free oil ready for immediate pumping. This preliminary preparation allows rapid brake response without creating vacuum conditions that would draw bubbles into the circuit during quick pedal release and recirculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Minimizes the risk of air bubbles entering the braking chamber, maintaining effective braking performance by preventing bubbles from contaminating the braking liquid.

Implementation Method 1

a filtering element (8) located between the inlet spout (26) and the connecting port (12), which is adapted to allow the passage of the working liquid and to retain the air bubbles contained therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a closing element (9), e.g. of the type of a lid, of at least the first upper port (6a), arranged inclined with respect to the horizon... a draining port (5) defined on said closing element (9) and arranged facing said filtering element (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4484232B1Braking device for vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAFIM
  • EP4484232B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4484232B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4484232B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The braking device comprises: - a body (2) provided with at least one inlet port (3) of a pressurized working liquid, with at least one outlet port (4) connectable to the braking circuit (I) of a vehicle, and with at least one draining port (5) connectable to a draining tank; - a first tank (6) provided with an inlet spout (26) of the working liquid and open at the top to define a first upper port (6a) and a second tank (7) communicating with the first tank (6), - a closing element (9) of at least the first upper port (6a); - one working chamber (11) provided with at least one connecting port (12) to the second tank (7) and within which at least one braking piston (13,14) is housed sealing in a sliding manner which divides the working chamber (11) into at least one driving chamber (11a) connectable to the inlet port (3) and a braking chamber (11b) communicating with the outlet port (4) and with the connecting port (12), at least one plug element (15) being provided and connected to the braking piston (13,14) in a kinematic manner and adapted to open/close the connecting port (12); - one filtering element (8) located between the inlet spout (26) and the connecting port (12) and adapted to allow the passage of the working liquid and to retain the air bubbles contained therein.