Modular Pressure Control Device for Pneumatic Brake Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure control devices for vehicle brake systems require significant construction effort and are not easily expandable in terms of control functions, limiting their adaptability for wheel-specific and brake-slip-dependent control of brake pressures.
Innovation Solution
A pressure control device utilizing a single relay valve with two 2/2-way solenoid valves and an additional inlet valve, allowing for wheel-specific control of brake pressures through a central, small control pressure flow, enabling cost-effective manufacturing and integration of additional functions like traction control and electronic brake systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple relay valves are used for controlling brake pressures on different sides of the axle, then wheel-specific brake pressure control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control function by using a single relay valve with multiple working ports (one per wheel), where each working port can be independently controlled by its own solenoid valve. This segments the control functionality while maintaining a unified relay valve structure, reducing overall device complexity while preserving wheel-specific control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single relay valve is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling brake pressure to different wheels simultaneously. The relay valve serves as a universal control element that can direct pressure to any combination of wheels based on solenoid valve actuation, eliminating the need for separate relay valves for each wheel while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If a 2-channel pressure control module with independent relay valves is used, then brake slip control is achieved for each channel, but manufacturing cost and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple relay valve functions into a single relay valve with multiple working ports. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing construction effort and manufacturing cost while maintaining the reliability of brake slip control through independent solenoid valve actuation for each wheel.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pressure control device is designed with fixed functionality, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability for additional control functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamically configurable pressure control device where the relay valve can be selectively connected to different solenoid valves and working ports based on control requirements. This dynamic connectivity allows the system to adapt to different control functions (ABS, traction control, etc.) without requiring physical redesign, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
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 solution allows for efficient, cost-effective implementation of wheel-specific brake pressure control and traction control, enhancing the adaptability and functionality of the pressure control device without requiring extensive redesign, while maintaining ABS compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a valve assembly (21, 22) with two 2/2-way solenoid valves (21, 22)... wherein the solenoid valves (21, 22), depending on control by the control unit, either establish a connection between the control terminal (8) of the relay valve (5) and a assigned brake cylinder (3, 4) or block this connection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure control device (1) for a pneumatic brake system of a vehicle for the at least brake slip-dependent control of brake pressures in the brake cylinders (3, 4) of each individual wheel of an axle. According to the invention, a) the device comprises a single relay valve (5) having a supply connection (6) that is supplied by a supply pressure (p11), a venting connection (7) connected to a pressure sink, a control connection (8) and at least two working connections (9, 10), wherein the one working connection (9) is assigned to at least one brake cylinder (3) of a wheel of a vehicle side of the axle and the other working connection (10) of the relay valve (5) is assigned to at least one brake cylinder (4) of a wheel of the other vehicle side of the axle, b) each working connection (9, 10) of the relay valve (5) is connected to a 2/2-way valve (11, 12), which is directly or indirectly controlled by a control unit and assigned to a respective vehicle side and which either establishes a connection between the relevant working connection (9, 10) of the relay valve and the assigned brake cylinder (3, 4) or blocks said connection, depending on the actuation by the control unit, c) the control connection (8) of the relay valve (5) can be connected either to a brake control pressure (p4) formed depending on a driver's braking input, to a supply pressure (p11) of a pressure reservoir or to a pressure sink (14; 23) by means of a valve system which is formed by one 3/2-way solenoid valve (13) or by two 2/2-way solenoid valves (21, 22) and controlled by means of the control unit.