Dual Brake Slack Adjuster Layout for Larger Sensing Pistons
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing the length of dual brake slack adjusters to accommodate greater sensing piston volume often requires redesigning and rebuilding tube assemblies, leading to increased costs and complexity in manufacturing, service, and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A dual slack adjuster design featuring a base enclosure with internal chambers and floating piston assemblies that allow for selective positioning of sensing piston assemblies, enabling efficient fluid communication and operation without extending beyond chamber boundaries, thus maintaining compatibility with existing tube assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the length of dual brake slack adjuster is increased to accommodate increased sensing piston volume, then the sensing piston volume is accommodated, but the tube assembly interfacing is affected requiring redesign and rebuild
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by transitioning from a longitudinal extension approach to a radial/expansion approach. Instead of increasing the length of the slack adjuster body along its primary axis, the invention expands the internal chamber volume radially to accommodate larger sensing pistons. This dimensional shift allows increased sensing piston volume while maintaining the original external dimensions and tube assembly interface compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing a slack adjuster body that can accommodate multiple sensing piston sizes through internal configuration changes rather than external redesign. The standardized external dimensions and tube assembly interfaces allow the same basic structure to serve multiple functions and configurations, eliminating the need for redesign when sensing piston volume requirements change.
2Volume of moving object
If the length of dual brake slack adjuster is increased to accommodate increased sensing piston volume, then the sensing piston volume is accommodated, but manufacturing and service costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by creating a universal slack adjuster platform that can produce multiple sensing piston configurations using the same basic tooling and processes. The standardized external dimensions and assembly interfaces allow for economies of scale and reduced tooling costs, as the same fundamental structure serves multiple volume requirements through internal configuration variations rather than requiring entirely new designs for each sensing piston size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying internal chamber dimensions and configurations rather than external dimensions. This allows the sensing piston volume parameter to be changed while keeping the external geometry, material specifications, and manufacturing processes consistent, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture and reducing costs associated with redesigning the entire component.
3Volume of moving object
If the length of dual brake slack adjuster is increased to accommodate increased sensing piston volume, then the sensing piston volume is accommodated, but service and inventory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves inventory management flexibility by creating a universal platform that can accommodate different sensing piston volumes within the same basic structure. This allows service centers to maintain simpler inventory systems where a single slack adjuster body design can support multiple sensing piston configurations, reducing the need for specialized parts inventory and simplifying service procedures across different volume requirements.
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 design allows for efficient brake fluid management and operation without necessitating the redesign of tube assemblies, maintaining brake operation speed and minimizing costs associated with component management and inventory adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first piston exposed to pressurized brake fluid from the valve end
Implementation Method 2
a second larger piston connected to the first piston for outputting brake fluid to the brake actuator with the fluid output to the actuator being greater than the volume of the input fluid from the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A slack adjuster and systems, components, and methods can comprise a base enclosure, a pair of floating piston assemblies, and a pair of sensing piston assemblies. The base enclosure can define an internal chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis of the base enclosure and an inlet channel that extends along a transverse axis of the base enclosure perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The internal chamber can have a first chamber portion, a second chamber portion, and a center chamber portion that intersects the inlet channel. The floating piston assemblies can be respectively provided in the first and second chamber portions. Likewise, the sensing piston assemblies can be respectively provided in association with the floating piston assemblies.