Multi-Disc Brake Hydraulic Pressure Hold Without Continuous Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi disc brake systems in heavy tracked vehicles, such as groomer vehicles, require continuous supply of pressurized fluid for maintaining the brake locked state, which is inefficient in terms of energy consumption, especially when using electric energy accumulators, reducing vehicle range.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method for a multi disc brake that includes a hydraulic circuit with a supply branch, discharge branch, pump, distribution valve, check valve, and a control unit to manage fluid pressure, allowing for efficient pressure maintenance without continuous fluid supply, using solenoid valves and pressure sensors to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous pressurized fluid supply is used to maintain brake released state, then brake reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by supplying pressurized fluid only when needed to release the brake, rather than continuous supply. The control unit activates the pump and distribution valve only when the brake needs to be released, then stops supply once the hydraulic cylinder is pressurized, achieving periodic fluid supply that maintains reliability while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through the check valve that automatically maintains hydraulic pressure in the supply branch after the pump stops. The check valve prevents pressure loss without requiring continuous pump operation or active control, allowing the system to maintain brake released state autonomously after initial pressurization, thereby reducing energy consumption while ensuring reliability.
2Stress or pressure
If pump operates continuously to maintain pressure, then hydraulic pressure stability is improved, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-charging the supply branch with pressurized fluid through the pump and distribution valve before the brake needs to be released. Once the supply branch is pre-pressurized, the pump can stop operating and the check valve maintains the pressure, eliminating the need for continuous pump operation and reducing energy expenditure while ensuring pressure stability is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve provides self-service by automatically maintaining hydraulic pressure in the supply branch without requiring continuous pump operation. The valve prevents pressure loss passively, allowing the system to maintain pressure stability autonomously after initial pressurization, thereby reducing energy expenditure while ensuring pressure reliability.
3Reliability
If high pressure is maintained in hydraulic cylinder, then brake release reliability is improved, but energy consumption from accumulators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by activating the pump and distribution valve only when brake release is required, rather than maintaining continuous high pressure. The pump operates intermittently to recharge the supply branch, and the check valve maintains pressure during idle periods, reducing energy consumption from accumulators while ensuring brake release reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve provides self-service by maintaining hydraulic pressure in the supply branch without requiring continuous energy input from accumulators. The valve passively prevents pressure loss, allowing the system to maintain high pressure readiness autonomously after initial pressurization, thereby reducing energy consumption from accumulators while ensuring brake release reliability.
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 achieves significant energy savings by maintaining hydraulic pressure without continuous fluid supply, ensuring safety and enabling the pump to serve other consumers, thus enhancing the vehicle's operational efficiency and range.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve arranged along the supply branch downstream of the distribution valve to maintain a determined pressure in the hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The distribution valve is a solenoid valve, which in the rest position connects the supply branch to the discharge branch and isolates the pump from the supply branch
Implementation Method 3
a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the supply branch
Implementation Method 4
at least one single-acting hydraulic cylinder of a multi disc brake
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A control device (1) of a multi disc brake (3) has: - a hydraulic circuit (4) having a supply branch (6) to supply a pressurized fluid to a single-acting hydraulic cylinder (2) of a multi disc brake (3), a discharge branch (7) selectively connectable to the supply branch (6) to discharge the supply branch (6), a pump (8) to supply pressurized fluid to the supply branch (6), a distribution valve (9) to selectively connect the supply branch (6) to the pump (8) and discharge the supply branch (6), and a check valve (11) arranged along the supply branch (6) downstream of the distribution valve (9) to maintain a given pressure in the hydraulic cylinder (2); and - a control unit (5) configured to control the pump (8) and the distribution valve (9).