Silver-Graphite Grounding Brush for Stable Axle Noise Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grounding brushes for electric and hybrid vehicles are ineffective in reducing electro-magnetic noise from the driving axle, particularly affecting car radios, due to high resistance and unstable contact resistance, and do not efficiently ground the inverter.

Innovation Solution

A metal graphite grounding brush with a composition of 30-90% silver, 10-70% carbonaceous components, and 2-15% volatile components, configured for slide contact with the axle, reduces electro-magnetic noise by maintaining low resistivity and stable contact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silver content is increased to reduce resistance, then electro-magnetic noise grounding improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrounding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the silver content parameter to a specific range (30-90 mass%) rather than using pure silver or low silver content materials. This parameter optimization achieves the dual benefit of sufficient grounding effectiveness (low resistance) and cost control, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite grounding brush material combining silver particles with carbonaceous components (graphite and volatile components). This composite structure leverages the high conductivity of silver and the lubricating properties of carbon, achieving effective grounding while reducing material cost compared to pure silver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If silver content is increased to maintain low resistivity, then service life improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of silver and carbonaceous components provides both electrical conductivity and mechanical durability. The carbonaceous components contribute to brush strength and wear resistance, extending service life while keeping manufacturing costs manageable through optimized silver content (30-90 mass%)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies optimal ranges for silver content (30-90 mass%), carbonaceous components (10-70 mass%), and volatile components (2-15 mass%) to achieve the best balance between service life and manufacturing cost. These parameter optimizations ensure long service life without requiring excessive silver content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If carbonaceous components are increased to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but contact resistance becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcontact resistance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a specific range for carbonaceous components (10-70 mass%) to maintain stable contact resistance. Within this range, the carbonaceous components provide adequate lubrication and structural support without compromising electrical contact stability, achieving cost reduction while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite of silver and carbonaceous components creates a material where silver ensures low and stable contact resistance while carbonaceous components provide structural integrity and lubrication. This synergistic combination allows cost-effective manufacturing without sacrificing contact resistance stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If volatile component content is optimized, then brush strength improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies an optimal range for volatile components (2-15 mass%) that enhances brush strength through controlled binding and structural formation. This parameter specification achieves improved strength without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as the volatile components are incorporated during standard brush fabrication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 brush effectively reduces electro-magnetic noise, extending service life and maintaining low noise levels in vehicle audio equipment by optimizing silver and carbonaceous content and volatile component ratios.

Implementation Method 1

a mass composition in the brush main body between silver and carbonaceous components including graphite and a volatile component is silver more than 30 mass% and not more than 90 mass% and the carbonaceous components less than 70 mass% and not less than 10 mass%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4068520B1Metal graphite grounding brush mainly composed of silver and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 TRIS
  • EP4068520B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4068520B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4068520B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The metal graphite grounding brush including silver is made in slide contact with a peripheral surface of an axle and grounds the axle. The mass ratio between silver and carbonaceous components including a volatile component in the brush is silver above 30 % and up to 90 % and carbonaceous components less than 70 % and down to 10 %. When the total of silver and carbonaceous components is made 100 %, the volatile component is down to 2.0 % and up to 15 %. The brush grounds the axle reliably so that noise from a car radio is reduced and has a long service life and mechanical strength.