Pneumatic Brake Valve Merging Ventilation and Venting Functions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic brake devices for motor vehicles are costly and large due to the need for multiple relay valves and components for each wheel, leading to inefficiencies in brake pressure control and potential vehicle pulling during braking.

Innovation Solution

The design directly controls pneumatic pressure from a storage reservoir to each wheel brake, reducing the number of components and using pulse-modulated actuating signals to rapidly build brake pressure, with individually optimized signal sequences for each wheel brake module to account for geometric differences and driving conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay valves are provided for both ventilation and venting to decouple control pressure from operating pressure, then brake pressure control is achieved, but manufacturing costs and system size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pressure controlVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ventilation and venting functions into a single valve that performs both operations. The valve can direct pneumatic pressure either to the brake cylinder (ventilation) or from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere (venting), eliminating the need for separate relay valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable brake pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve is designed with multi-functionality to perform both ventilation and venting operations. By incorporating multiple ports and a control mechanism that can direct pneumatic flow in different directions, the valve achieves universal functionality previously requiring separate dedicated valves, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing costs.

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

2Reliability

If separate wheel brake modules are provided for both wheels of an axle, then individual brake pressure control is achieved, but the number of components and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual brake pressure controlVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs identical wheel brake modules for both wheels on an axle, where each module contains a single valve capable of performing both ventilation and venting functions. This standardized multi-functional module design maintains individual brake pressure control for each wheel while reducing the total component count and manufacturing complexity compared to using separate specialized valves for each function.

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

3Measurement precision

If traditional brake systems use multiple relay valves, then precise pressure control is achieved, but the response time for pressure build-up is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control precisionVSAvoidpressure build-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate relay valve stage from the traditional brake system architecture. By implementing a direct control mechanism where the single valve responds immediately to control signals from the brake pedal, the system achieves rapid pressure build-up without the time delay introduced by multiple relay valves, while maintaining precise pressure control through the valve's regulated flow capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 manufacturing costs and size, ensures rapid and precise brake pressure control, and counteracts vehicle pulling by adapting brake pressures based on real-time driving conditions, enhancing braking performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the venting valve and its activation means are designed such that the pneumatic pressure from the reservoir can be directly transmitted to the respective wheel brake when the venting valve is actuated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure transmission: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the venting valve and its activation means are designed such that the brake pressure of the wheel brake is directly vented to the atmosphere when the venting valve is actuated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure venting: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

To actuate the venting valve and/or the bleeding valve, wheel brake modules include electrically actuated activation means, which can be controlled by a control logic via a control signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3140171B1Pneumatic brake system for vehicles and method to apply a pneumatic brake system
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP3140171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140171B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3140171B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a pneumatic brake device, comprising a brake signal transducer, a reserve pressure accumulator (11), and a wheel brake (9) for each wheel and also an electrically actuable wheel brake module (12) for each wheel for setting a target brake pressure. Taking the brake signal transducer into consideration, an electronic control unit determines setpoint values of the target brake pressures of the wheel brakes (9). Each wheel brake module comprises at least one aeration valve (19) and at least one deaeration valve (20) and corresponding electrically actuable activation means (25), and a control logic circuit (26) with means for generating a control signal for the activation means corresponding to the setpoint value for the target brake pressure. The invention also relates to a method for operating a pneumatic brake device. It is provided that the pneumatic pressure from the reserve pressure accumulator can, in the activated state of the aeration valve (19), be passed through directly to the respective wheel brake (9), and/or the deaeration valve (20) ventilates the brake pressure of the wheel brake (9), in the activated state, directly into the atmosphere.