Device for cooling brake fluid
OwnerHiroyuki Maedainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for cooling brake fluid in a brake operating unit which comprises first and second flow channels having respective one ends connected to a cylinder of a brake element. The brake fluid circulates in the cylinder using both of the first and second flow channels by repetition of applying and releasing the brakes. As a result, it is possible to provide a device for cooling a brake fluid, wherein vapor-lock can be presented with certainty, the brake element that is a drum brake or a disc brake is improved in safety and reliability, friction materials such as brake shoes or pads are restrained from rising in temperature and a fade phenomenon is also reduced so that a stable braking operation can be obtained.
Claims16
A device for cooling brake fluid, comprising:
- first and second flow channels, each said flow channel having first and second ends, respective first ends of said first and second flow channels being connected to a brake element, the second end of said first flow channel being connected to a fluid pressure generating unit that generates fluid pressure according to brake pedal depression, the second end of said second flow channel being connected to said first flow channel, a pump positioned in said second flow channel, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a closing valve unit provided for both the inlet and the outlet of said pump, said closing valve unit being open concurrently at both the inlet and outlet of the pump when the pump is actuated to circulate the brake fluid in the brake element through said second flow channel to effect cooling thereof.
In combination, a braking means for braking a wheel of a vehicle, a brake fluid pressure generating unit, and means for cooling brake fluid, the means for cooling comprising:
- a first fluid channel having a first end connected to said braking means and a second end connected to said brake fluid pressure generating unit;
- a second fluid channel having a first end connected to said braking means and a second end connected to said first fluid channel, the second fluid channel having an inlet portion and an outlet portion;
- a pump positioned in said second fluid channel for pumping fluid through said first and second fluid channels, the pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet portion of the second fluid channel being connected to the pump inlet, the outlet portion of the second fluid channel being connected to the pump outlet;
- and
- valve means for blocking fluid flow through said inlet and outlet portions of said second fluid channel to and from said inlet and outlet, and for allowing fluid flow through said inlet and outlet portions of said second fluid channel to and from said inlet and outlet thereby circulating brake fluid through the first and second fluid channels upon actuation of said pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.