Wheel Brake Air Guide with Hydraulic Brake-Fluid Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for guiding air toward a motor vehicle's wheel brake lack a reliable and efficient mechanism for easily displacing the air guide element between rest and operating positions.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic adjustment mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a return element allows the air guide element to be displaced between rest and operating positions, utilizing brake fluid to facilitate this movement automatically in response to brake actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a hydraulic adjustment mechanism with brake fluid is used, then the air guide element can be automatically displaced in response to brake actuation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic displacement of air guide elementVSAvoidhydraulic adjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the air guide element displacement mechanism with the existing brake hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinder that actuates the air guide element shares the brake fluid supply line from the brake pressure distributor, merging two functions (brake actuation and air guide displacement) into a single integrated system, thereby reducing overall complexity despite adding automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the air guide element is extended out of the undercarriage, then air guidance to the wheel brake is improved, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair guidance efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide element is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable rather than permanently extended. The hydraulic adjustment mechanism allows the element to extend out of the undercarriage only when brake cooling is required, and retract when not needed, optimizing both air guidance efficiency and space utilization in different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a return element is added to the hydraulic mechanism, then the air guide element can automatically return to rest position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic return to rest positionVSAvoidhydraulic mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return element enables the hydraulic mechanism to be self-actuating. When brake pressure is released, the return element automatically pushes the air guide element back to its retracted rest position and forces brake fluid back through the hose, eliminating the need for external control systems or additional actuators to reset the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If the brake fluid hose branches off upstream of the brake caliper, then the hydraulic cylinder can be filled from the brake system, but the loss of brake fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration with brake systemVSAvoidbrake fluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder is designed with a check valve that allows brake fluid to be drawn from the brake line during brake actuation but prevents reverse flow when brake pressure drops. This enables the system to recover and retain brake fluid, minimizing loss while maintaining integration with the brake system for automatic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 enables simple, reliable, and cost-effective transfer of the air guide element, requiring minimal installation space and no additional weight or control electronics, while ensuring efficient air guidance to the wheel brake.

Implementation Method 1

the hydraulic cylinder can be filled with brake fluid in order to displace the air guide element from the rest position to the operating position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the return element displaces the air guide element from the operating position to the rest position while discharging brake fluid from the hydraulic cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12330610B2Apparatus for guiding air toward a wheel brake of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

Apparatus for guiding air toward a wheel brake of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an air guide element, which can be displaced between a retracted rest position, in which the same is retracted in relation to an undercarriage of the motor vehicle, and an extended operating position, in which the same is extended in relation to the undercarriage. The air guide element can be displaced, via a hydraulic adjustment mechanism between the rest position and the operating position. The hydraulic adjustment mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and a return element. In the presence of brake actuation, the hydraulic cylinder can be filled with brake fluid in order to displace the air guide element from the rest position to the operating position. In the absence of brake actuation, the return element displaces the air guide element from the operating position to the rest position.