Electro-Hydraulic Brake Release Unit with Pressure Accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle brake systems face challenges in integrating redundant control mechanisms for brake actuators while maintaining compact size and weight, particularly in the presence of hydraulic and pneumatic failures, and require additional systems for auxiliary functions like magnetic track brakes and movable body elements.
Innovation Solution
An electro-hydraulic supply and control device integrates a motor-driven pump with a pressure accumulator to provide hydraulic pressure for both brake actuator release and auxiliary functions, such as magnetic track brake positioning, using a single hydraulic circuit with independent control for each function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate auxiliary hydraulic release system is provided for brake actuator release, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the auxiliary release function and additional function into a single integrated electro-hydraulic supply and control device. The pump, pressure accumulator, and control circuitry are merged into one unit that serves both purposes: releasing brake actuators and performing additional functions such as magnetic track brake positioning or controlling movable body elements. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary systems while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-hydraulic supply and control device is designed with multi-functionality, where a single device performs both the auxiliary release function and additional functions. The device includes a pump for generating hydraulic pressure, a pressure accumulator for storing pressurized fluid, and a control circuit that can direct the pressurized fluid to either the brake actuators or other hydraulic actuators for additional functions, making the system universal and adaptable.
2Reliability
If separate systems are provided for brake release and auxiliary functions, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hydraulic systems into a single integrated electro-hydraulic supply and control device. By combining the auxiliary release system and additional function system into one unit with shared components (pump, pressure accumulator, control circuitry), the total weight of the hydraulic system is reduced while maintaining the reliability benefits of having redundant control mechanisms for brake release.
3Reliability
If separate systems are provided for brake release and auxiliary functions, then reliability is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the auxiliary release function and additional function into a single compact electro-hydraulic supply and control device. The pump, pressure accumulator, and control circuitry are merged into one unit, significantly reducing the volume occupied by hydraulic systems while maintaining reliability through redundant control mechanisms for brake release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the pressure accumulator is integrated within the electro-hydraulic supply device, and the control circuitry is embedded within the same housing. This nesting of components within a single integrated unit minimizes the overall volume of the hydraulic system while maintaining all necessary functions for reliable brake release and additional operations.
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 integration allows for a compact, reliable, and efficient operation of both brake-related and auxiliary functions, reducing the need for separate systems and ensuring flexibility and robustness even in pump failures.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure accumulator (38) which is designed to store pressurized hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
a motor (41) which is designed to drive the pump (40)
Implementation Method 3
hydraulic fluid (42) with which the pump (40) is designed to build up pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (33) for the auxiliary release of a brake of a rail vehicle (30) with an electro-hydraulic supply and control device (34) comprising a motor-driven pump (40) connected to a tank (42) containing a hydraulic fluid, wherein the electro-hydraulic supply and control device (34) has a first output (35) for applying pressure to at least one brake actuator of the brake by the hydraulic fluid.To increase the functionality of such an arrangement (30) while maintaining high reliability and safety, and despite limitations regarding size and weight, it is proposed that the electro-hydraulic supply and control unit (34) be operatively connected to a pressure accumulator (38) such that the pressure accumulator (38) is connected on one side to the pump (40) and on the other side to the first output (35) of the electro-hydraulic supply and control unit (34), and that the electro-hydraulic supply and control unit (34) has a second output (36) for supplying at least one hydraulic actuator (50) with the pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic actuator (50) is configured to perform an additional function of the rail vehicle (30). The invention also relates to a rail vehicle (30) with such an arrangement (33) and to a method for the auxiliary release of a brake of a rail vehicle.