Electrorheological Brake Assembly for Frictionless Wheel Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional vehicle brakes face issues such as high energy costs, material wear, pollution from friction particles, and performance degradation in low-pressure environments, particularly in maglev vehicles, due to their frictional nature and reliance on materials designed for standard atmospheric conditions.

Innovation Solution

A brake assembly utilizing a pump driven by vehicle wheel rotation, with a working fluid of selectively variable viscosity, specifically electrorheological fluid, whose viscosity is controlled by an electrical field to adjust braking force, and a heat exchanger to manage temperature, providing a non-frictional braking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If frictional brake materials are used, then braking force is generated, but material wear and particulate pollution occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidmaterial wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based braking system with an electrorheological fluid-based braking system. The electrorheological fluid changes its viscosity in response to an applied electric field, allowing braking force to be generated through viscous resistance rather than friction. This substitution eliminates material wear and particulate pollution while maintaining effective braking force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the ability of electrorheological fluid to change its viscosity parameter in response to an applied electric field. By varying the electric field strength, the viscosity of the fluid is dynamically adjusted, which in turn controls the braking force. This parameter change allows for continuous modulation of braking force without material wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If frictional brake materials are used, then braking force is generated, but energy is consumed and heat is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the energy-intensive frictional braking system with an electrorheological fluid system that consumes minimal energy. The electrorheological fluid maintains its variable viscosity properties without continuous energy input, and the braking force is generated through the fluid's inherent viscous resistance when subjected to shear stress, significantly reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If frictional brake materials are used, then braking force is generated, but performance degrades in low-pressure environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidperformance in low-pressure environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces friction-based braking materials with an electrorheological fluid-based system that is not dependent on atmospheric conditions. The electrorheological fluid's viscosity change mechanism relies on electric field interaction with suspended particles, a process that functions independently of atmospheric pressure and humidity, ensuring reliable performance in low-pressure environments such as maglev vehicle compartments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Force

If frictional brake materials are used, then braking force is generated, but the system produces harmful particulate matter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidparticulate matter

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the frictional contact system that generates particulate matter with an electrorheological fluid system. The braking force is generated through the fluid's variable viscosity without mechanical contact between brake pads and rotors, completely eliminating the source of harmful particulate emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces energy costs, minimizes material wear, and maintains effective braking performance across varying environments by dynamically controlling braking force and heat management, while eliminating particulate pollution.

Implementation Method 1

A brake assembly utilizes a pump driven by vehicle wheel rotation, with a working fluid of selectively variable viscosity, specifically electrorheological fluid, whose viscosity is controlled by an electrical field to adjust braking force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrorheological effect: Electrorheological Effect

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger to manage temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11940017B2Electrorheological brake

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 SAFRAN LANDING SYST CANADA INC

AI summary

A brake assembly is suitable for use with a vehicle wheel that has a rim rotatably mounted to an axle. The brake assembly includes a housing fixedly positioned relative to the axle and a plurality of disks disposed within the housing and fixedly positioned relative to the rim. A fluid is disposed within the housing and has a selectively variable viscosity. The viscosity of the fluid is selectively increased to increase a braking force applied to the wheel.