Hydraulic Pressure Generating Device Stroke Sensor Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic pressure generating devices for vehicle brake systems face challenges in securing space and protecting stroke sensors, leading to increased complexity and cost due to separate sensor installation and signal line requirements.

Innovation Solution

The hydraulic pressure generating device integrates a stroke sensor within a housing attached to the base body, with the sensor electrically connected to a control board, reducing the device's size and allowing for easier mounting while providing protection through a facing wall portion, thus eliminating the need for separate sensor installation and signal lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the stroke sensor is installed outside the hydraulic pressure generating device, then the device structure is simple, but the space required for mounting increases and the sensor needs additional protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke sensor is integrated into the housing of the hydraulic pressure generating device, combining the sensor and the hydraulic device into a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting space while maintaining the simplicity of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stroke sensor is placed inside the housing of the hydraulic pressure generating device, nesting the sensor within the existing structure. This allows the sensor to be protected and mounted without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of repair

If the stroke sensor is installed outside the hydraulic pressure generating device, then the sensor is accessible for maintenance, but the sensor is exposed to external damage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor accessibilityVSAvoidexternal damage and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke sensor is nested within the protective housing, which shields it from external damage and contamination while still allowing for maintenance access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as a protective shell that encloses the stroke sensor, providing mechanical protection and contamination prevention while maintaining access pathways for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Area of stationary object

If the stroke sensor is integrated inside the housing, then the mounting space is reduced and the sensor is protected, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting spaceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke sensor and housing are designed as an integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall assembly process despite the increased integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the stroke sensor, provides mechanical protection, prevents contamination, and facilitates mounting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate signal lines are used to connect the stroke sensor to the control board, then the sensor can be positioned flexibly, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning flexibilityVSAvoidsignal line requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke sensor and control board are integrated within the same housing structure, eliminating the need for external signal lines and reducing the overall device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal transmission function is extracted from external wiring and integrated directly into the housing structure, removing the complexity of separate signal lines while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3225481B1Hydraulic pressure generating device
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYST JAPAN CO LTD
  • EP3225481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225481B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3225481B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hydraulic pressure generating device (1) includes a base body (100), a master cylinder (10) provided in the base body (100) and configured to generate a brake hydraulic pressure by a first piston (12b) connected to a brake operating element (P), a housing (91) of an electronic control unit (90) attached to the base body (100), a control board (94) contained in the housing (91), a stroke sensor (77) configured to detect an amount of movement of the first piston (12b) and a detection object member (78) which is detected by the stroke sensor (77). The housing (91) has a facing wall portion (91b) provided so as to face the base body (100). The stroke sensor (77) is provided inside the housing (91) on the opposite side of the facing wall portion (91b) as the base body (100) and is electrically connected to the control board (94).