Cap Assembly with Segmented Gas Channels for Brake Fluid Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap assemblies for brake fluid reservoirs fail to effectively separate liquid brake fluid from discharged gas, leading to impaired sealing performance and inability to return isolated liquid to the reservoir, due to shared gas intake and discharge paths.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly design featuring separate gas intake and discharge channels, where a two-way vent hole forms the gas discharge path and a one-way vent hole creates a dedicated gas intake path, allowing external air to enter and preventing liquid from being discharged, enabling the separation of liquid brake fluid and its return to the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared gas channel path is used for both gas intake and discharge, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to inability to separate liquid brake fluid from discharged gas
Solution Approach 1:
The gas channel is segmented into separate intake and discharge paths. The gas discharge path extends from the interior of the reservoir through the cap assembly to the external environment, while the gas intake path is positioned at a different location. This spatial segmentation allows liquid brake fluid to be separated from discharged gas, with isolated liquid returning to the reservoir through the separate intake path, thereby maintaining sealing performance while managing complexity.
2Device complexity
If a shared gas channel path is used, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to return isolated liquid to the reservoir is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gas channel into distinct intake and discharge paths with different spatial arrangements, the system enables liquid brake fluid to be separated from discharged gas. The isolated liquid can then return to the reservoir through the separate gas intake path, restoring the liquid return function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Reliability
If separate gas intake and discharge channels are implemented, then liquid brake fluid separation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas channel is divided into separate intake and discharge paths positioned at different locations within the cap assembly. This segmentation enables effective separation of liquid brake fluid from discharged gas, improving sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly structure serves multiple functions: it provides both gas discharge and gas intake capabilities through its integrated design, while also enabling liquid separation and return. This multi-functionality is achieved within a unified cap assembly structure, mitigating the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If separate gas intake and discharge channels are implemented, then the ability to prevent brake fluid leakage is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas channel is segmented into separate intake and discharge paths with distinct spatial arrangements. This segmentation prevents liquid brake fluid from being discharged with gas, as isolated liquid returns to the reservoir through the separate intake path, thereby improving leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that integrates gas discharge, gas intake, and liquid separation/return functions within a single structure. This universal design approach improves leakage prevention while minimizing the increase in structural complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a cap assembly, comprising: an outer cap; and an internal structure supported in an internal space, with a gas passageway in communication with external air being defined between the internal structure and the outer cap, the internal structure comprising a two-way vent hole extending to the vicinity of an outer cap base part and a one-way vent hole disposed remotely from the outer cap base part, the two-way vent hole being constructed to allow air in a tube member to be discharged into external air via the two-way vent hole and the gas passageway, thereby defining a gas discharge path, when the tube member is mounted to the cap assembly in a gas-tight fashion, and being constructed to allow external air to enter the tube member via the gas passageway and the two-way vent hole, thereby defining a first gas intake path; and the one-way vent hole being constructed to allow external air to enter the tube member via the gas passageway and the one-way vent hole, thereby defining a second gas intake path, but to prohibit air in the tube member from being discharged into external air via the one-way vent hole. The present invention also provides a reservoir comprising the cap assembly.