Hydraulic Control Unit Gravity Drainage for Submersible Brake Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In amphibian or submersible vehicles, the hydraulic brake system's leaked brake fluid can seep into the electric motor housing, causing corrosion due to water ingress, as existing designs lack effective fluid drainage in submerged conditions.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic control unit positions the low-pressure accumulator lower than the cam shaft cavity with drainage bores connecting the cam shaft cavity to the spring chamber of the accumulator, allowing leaked fluid to drain into the accumulator chamber via gravity, preventing motor damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the low-pressure accumulator is positioned at a higher location (conventional design), then the hydraulic system structure is simplified, but brake fluid leakage can reach the electric motor causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional positioning arrangement by placing the low-pressure accumulator lower than the cam shaft cavity. This inversion causes brake fluid to drain away from the electric motor toward the accumulator under gravity, preventing corrosion while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage bore acts as an intermediary channel connecting the cam shaft cavity to the spring chamber of the accumulator. This intermediary structure provides a controlled path for brake fluid to flow from the motor area to the accumulator, preventing direct contact between brake fluid and the electric motor
2Reliability
If drainage bores are added to connect cam shaft cavity with accumulator, then brake fluid drainage is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage bore is integrated directly into the housing structure during manufacturing, merging the drainage function with the housing itself. This eliminates the need for separate drainage components and reduces assembly steps, making the manufacturing process more efficient despite adding a functional feature
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 effectively prevents brake fluid from reaching the electric motor, ensuring the hydraulic control unit's reliability and longevity in submersible environments by utilizing gravity-driven drainage, thus providing a cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage bore connects the cam shaft cavity with the spring chamber of at least one of the low-pressure accumulators
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic control unit of an electronically controlled hydraulic brake system has a housing (49) accommodating a pump (35) and at least one low-pressure accumulator. The low-pressure accumulator is positioned in a location at a lower height than the cam cavity (51) of the pump (35), and a drainage bore (53) connects the cam cavity (51) with the spring chamber (68) of at least one of the low-pressure accumulators. This allows the drainage of brake fluid from the cam cavity (51) into the spring chamber (68) solely by way of gravity. Thus this measure eliminates the risk of damage to the pump motor in the event that ambient water penetrates the cam cavity (51), which might flush brake fluid from the cam cavity 51 into the housing (49) of the pump motor.