E-bike Brake Booster Valve Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles with muscle or motor power, such as electric bicycles, face risks of accidents and injuries due to excessive braking leading to wheel locking or slipping, as existing brake systems lack precise control and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A brake system with a valve arrangement that includes a bypass line and sensors to control brake pressure, allowing for reliable and energy-efficient modulation of brake pressure, preventing wheel locking and rollover by connecting or separating fluid-mechanically the low-pressure and high-pressure chambers based on vehicle state detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If hydraulic brake systems are used to generate high braking forces, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the risk of wheel locking and rider rollover increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidwheel locking risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system dynamically adjusts braking force based on real-time sensor data about vehicle state, rider position, and road conditions. The control unit continuously modulates the hydraulic pressure to maintain optimal braking force that prevents wheel locking while maximizing deceleration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensors provide continuous feedback about wheel speed, vehicle deceleration, and rider position to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to detect approaching wheel lock conditions and automatically reduce braking force before locking occurs, ensuring safe operation while maintaining high braking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If brake boosters are used to amplify braking force, then braking power is improved, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking powerVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The brake booster system utilizes the kinetic energy already present in the moving vehicle and the mechanical energy from the rider's brake lever input to amplify braking force. The hydraulic multiplier effect converts the rider's moderate input force into high braking power without requiring additional external energy sources, making the system energy-efficient while maintaining high braking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If modern high-speed bicycles are equipped with rim and disc brakes, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the risk of accidents and injuries increases due to excessive braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidaccident risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts braking force to match the vehicle's speed and the rider's needs. At higher speeds, the system provides proportionally higher braking force while maintaining control, and automatically reduces force as speed decreases to prevent over-braking and wheel locking, thereby enabling safe high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Speed sensors and deceleration sensors provide continuous feedback about the vehicle's motion state to the control unit. This enables the system to calculate safe braking limits based on current speed and adjust the hydraulic pressure accordingly, preventing excessive braking that could cause wheel locking or rider loss of control at high speeds.

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

The system achieves reliable control of brake pressure with reduced energy consumption, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries by adaptively managing brake pressure and preventing wheel locking or slipping.

Implementation Method 1

the first valve, the first valve can be controllably placed at least in a first state and in a second state, in the first state of the first valve the low-pressure chamber and the high-pressure chamber are fluid-mechanically separated from each other and in the second state of the first valve, the low-pressure chamber and the high-pressure chamber are fluid-mechanically connected to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid-mechanical connection: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

A brake booster, which can also be provided in a bicycle, is known from WO 2007/111510 A1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3162646B1Braking system, method of operating a braking system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3162646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162646B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a braking system (100) of a vehicle (1) propelled by muscle power and/or motor power, in particular an electric bicycle, e-bike, pedelec or the like, comprising a brake booster (20) and a valve arrangement (30). The brake booster (20) is designed to be supplied with brake fluid and has an inlet low-pressure chamber (21) and an outlet high-pressure chamber (22). The valve arrangement (30) allows the low-pressure chamber (21) and the high-pressure chamber (22) to be fluidly connected in a controllable manner.