JP4659016B2 - Brake fluid changer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a brake fluid exchanging device capable of removing brake fluid after work from a hydraulic brake system including a brake device and supplying new brake fluid to the hydraulic brake system.

With regard to this type of brake fluid exchange device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a hydraulic brake system including the brake device has a negative pressure action generated by a negative pressure waste liquid removing means attached to the brake device of the vehicle brake system. Brake fluid (waste liquid) is sucked and removed, and air of the same pressure is supplied to the air chamber in the oil tank and the air chamber in the reservoir tank, so that a new brake fluid in the oil tank is removed. There is disclosed a brake fluid exchanging device provided with air pressure feeding means for feeding pressure into a reservoir tank by air pressure.
JP-A-9-323642

  However, in the brake fluid changing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to change the brake fluid, negative pressure waste liquid removing means for removing the waste liquid from the hydraulic brake system including the brake device, and a new brake fluid are provided. It is necessary to have two mechanisms of positive pressure and negative pressure composed of air pressure feeding means for supplying, and practically a device for arranging two devices composed of a negative pressure generating device and a pressurizing device, respectively. There is a problem in that the replacement of the brake fluid becomes complicated because the whole size increases and the manufacturing cost increases, and it is necessary to operate the two devices.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by eliminating the need for a negative pressure generating device, the entire device can be reduced in size to reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the work efficiency. An object is to provide an exchange device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention removes the brake fluid from the brake device, and in the brake fluid exchange device for supplying a new brake fluid to the reservoir tank, by compressing compressed air to the reservoir tank, Waste fluid removing means for removing brake fluid from the brake device, brake fluid supplying means for supplying new brake fluid to the reservoir tank by compressed air, compressed oil is supplied to each of the waste fluid removing means and the brake supplying means. Compressed air supply means for pumping, and compressed air switching means for switching and supplying the compressed air pumped from the compressed air supply means to either the waste liquid removing means or the brake fluid supply means And

  In the present invention, first, the brake fluid is switched by the compressed air switching means, and the compressed fluid from the compressed air supply means is pumped to the waste liquid removing means, so that the brake fluid filled in the hydraulic brake system including the brake device is finished. Is removed. Subsequently, the air is further switched by the compressed air switching means, and the compressed air is pressure-fed from the compressed air supply means to the brake fluid supply means, whereby new brake fluid is filled in the entire hydraulic brake system including the reservoir tank.

  Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for the negative pressure generator used in the prior art, removes brake fluid (waste fluid) that has been completed using only a single compressed air supply means, and provides a new brake fluid. By performing both of the above and the supply, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the size of the entire apparatus and improve the working efficiency.

  In the present invention, when supplying a new brake fluid to the reservoir tank, the pressure control valve for releasing the pressure in the reservoir tank to the outside so that the pressure in the reservoir tank is lower than the supply pressure of the new brake fluid. By providing, it is possible to simply and efficiently supply new brake fluid.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the outer lid portion that is screwed with the screw portion formed on the outer surface of the opening portion of the reservoir tank, and the lid receiving portion that is pressed by screwing in the bolt and provided in the reservoir tank are in close contact with each other. A lid member having an inner lid part to be sealed is provided, and the opening of the reservoir tank is closed by the lid member, so that the air tightness and liquid tightness in the reservoir tank are suitably maintained and braking is efficiently performed. Fluid can be exchanged.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, by providing a capacity measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank from which the brake fluid (waste liquid) that has finished work is discharged, the remaining storage amount in the waste liquid tank is known. At the same time, it is possible to easily determine the switching time when the compressed air from the compressed air supply means is switched from the waste liquid removing means to the brake fluid supply means in accordance with the amount stored in the waste liquid tank.

  For example, by providing a scale in the waste liquid tank as a capacity measuring mechanism, when compressed air from the compressed air supply means is pumped to the waste liquid removing means to remove the brake fluid that has been filled in the hydraulic brake system, Even without checking the remaining amount of brake fluid in the reservoir tank one by one, by checking the amount stored in the waste liquid tank with the above scale, it is easy to switch the timing (time) of supplying new brake fluid to the reservoir tank Can be judged.

  By eliminating the negative pressure generating device, the entire device can be downsized to reduce the manufacturing cost, and a brake fluid changing device capable of improving the working efficiency can be obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of a brake fluid exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the brake fluid changer 10 includes a compressed air supply source 12 that functions as a compressed air supply unit that includes, for example, an air compressor and pressure-feeds compressed air, and a passage that communicates with the compressed air supply source 12. 14 is provided in the first branch passage 14a branched from the middle of the air pressure 14 and functions as a waste liquid removing means, and in the second branch passage 14b branched from the middle of the passage 14 communicating with the compressed air supply source 12. And a brake fluid supply system 18 that functions as a brake fluid supply means.

  The air pressure feeding system 16 includes, for example, a first on-off valve 20 that opens and closes the first branch passage 14a by rotating the cock 20a by a predetermined angle clockwise or counterclockwise by manual operation, A first regulator 24 that is arranged downstream of the on-off valve 20 and adjusts the pressure in a reservoir tank 22 to be described later, and a female joint part and a male joint part that are arranged downstream of the first regulator 24 are detachable from each other. And a first joint 26 provided.

  Further, the air pressure feeding system 16 includes a first check valve 28 disposed downstream of the first joint 26 to prevent the backflow of the compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply source 12, and the first check valve 28. An air release valve that is connected to the third branch passage 14c that is downstream and further branched from the middle of the first branch passage 14a, and that releases the pressure in the first branch passage 14a to the atmosphere by manual operation of the cock 30a, for example. 30, a second joint 32 disposed downstream of the atmosphere release valve 30 and having a female joint portion and a male joint portion detachably provided on the downstream side of the second joint 32, the first joint 32. And a reservoir tank 22 that is disposed at the end point of the branch passage 14a and stores brake fluid that has finished work.

  In this case, when the air release valve 30 supplies a new brake fluid to the reservoir tank 22, the pressure in the reservoir tank 22 is set lower than the supply pressure of the new brake fluid in the reservoir tank 22. It functions as a pressure control valve that regulates the pressure.

  The air release valve 30 is not provided with a cock for manually opening and closing the air passage, and the valve body separates from the seating portion against the spring force of the spring member when reaching a preset threshold value. Thus, a relief valve (not shown) that is open to the atmosphere may be used.

  The brake fluid supply system 18 includes, for example, a second on-off valve 34 that opens and closes the second branch passage 14b by rotating the cock 34a by a predetermined angle in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction by a manual operation, and the second on-off valve 34. A second regulator 38, which is disposed downstream of the on-off valve 34 and adjusts the pressure in a brake fluid supply tank 36, which will be described later, and a new brake fluid supplied after the brake fluid (waste liquid) that has been completed is removed are stored. Brake fluid supply tank 36.

  Further, the brake fluid supply system 18 is arranged on the downstream side of the brake fluid supply tank 36 and prevents the backflow of the compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply source 12, and the second check valve 40. A third joint 42 disposed on the downstream side of the first joint 42 and a female joint portion and a male joint portion detachably provided, and disposed on the downstream side of the third joint 42 and at the end point of the second branch passage 14b. And a reservoir tank 22 in which the brake fluid that has finished work is stored.

  The tank body 44 of the reservoir tank 22 is provided in a vehicle and constitutes a brake device 67 described later, and a lid member 48 attached to the opening 46 of the tank body 44 (see FIG. 2). ) Constitutes the brake fluid exchange device 10. That is, the lid member 48 is attached to the reservoir tank 22 in place of a cap (not shown) of the reservoir tank 22 that has been conventionally provided only when the brake fluid is replaced. The opening 46 of the reservoir tank 22 is closed by a cap (not shown) that has been conventionally used.

  The first on-off valve 20 that communicates with the first branch passage 14a and the second on-off valve 34 that communicates with the second branch passage 14b respectively transmit compressed air fed from the compressed air supply source 12 to the air pressure feed system 16. It functions as compressed air switching means for switching to the brake fluid supply system 18.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the reservoir tank 22 includes a tank main body 44 formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape from a light metal material such as a resin material or aluminum, and an opening 46 of the tank main body 44, for example. And a lid member 48 for closing.

  In the vicinity of the opening 46 of the tank main body 44, as shown in FIG. 2A, an annular portion 50 extending downward with a substantially constant outer diameter is provided. On the outer peripheral surface, a female screw portion 54 that is screwed with the male screw portion 52 of the lid member 48 is engraved. Further, a tapered portion 56 that gradually decreases in diameter toward the lower side is provided on the lower side of the annular portion 50.

  The lid member 48 is provided on the inner wall along the circumferential direction with an outer lid portion 58 provided with a male screw portion 52 that fits with the female screw portion 54 of the tank main body 44, and on the lower side of the outer lid portion 58. An inner lid portion 60 that exhibits a sealing function when abutting against the inner wall of the taper portion 56 of the main body 44, and a disc-shaped intermediate portion 62 interposed between the outer lid portion 58 and the inner lid portion 60. And a bolt 64 that fits into a screw hole formed at the center of the outer lid portion 58. The outer lid portion 58 and the intermediate portion 62 may be formed of a resin material, and the inner lid portion 60 may be formed of an elastic material such as NBR, for example. Further, an insertion hole 66 having a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt 64 and having a so-called fool hole is formed at the center of the intermediate portion 62.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2B, by screwing the bolt 64 along the screw hole of the outer lid portion 58, the lower end portion of the bolt 64 faces the upper surface of the inner lid portion 60 downward. The outer peripheral surface of the inner lid portion 60 is in close contact with the inner wall of the tapered portion 56 of the tank main body 44 to maintain airtightness and liquid tightness, thereby achieving a suitable sealing action.

  The taper portion 56 of the tank main body 44 functions as a lid receiving portion on which the inner lid portion 60 is seated and sealed, but is not limited to the taper shape, for example, a stepped step. You may form by a part. Further, the taper portion 56 is not formed integrally with the tank main body 44. For example, a ring body (not shown) formed with a taper portion or a step portion is formed separately from the tank main body 44, and the ring body is formed as a tank main body. You may make it latch on the inner wall of 44. FIG. Furthermore, after removing the lid member 48 from the tank main body 44, the tank main body 44 may be replaced with other large and small tank main bodies capable of storing a capacity corresponding to the capacity of the stored brake fluid. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reservoir tank 22 is provided with a piping passage 70 connected to a caliper 68 constituting the brake device 67. The caliper 68 holds a brake pad (not shown) and presses the brake pad against the brake disc 72 to exert a braking force. The brake device 67 is provided with a brake pedal, a brake booster, a master cylinder, etc. (not shown). In this case, it is the brake fluid that circulates in the hydraulic brake system including the brake device 67 that is used to replace the old and new brake fluid.

  On the lower side of the caliper 68, there is provided a waste liquid tank 76 in which the brake fluid that has finished its work is discharged and stored through a piping passage 74 connected to the caliper 68.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the waste liquid tank 76 includes a tank body 78 formed of a transparent body or a translucent body, a cover member 80 that covers a part of the tank body 78, and a waste liquid tank 76. A capacity measuring mechanism 82 is provided so that the capacity of the waste liquid stored therein can be measured.

  The capacity measuring mechanism 82 includes a scale portion 86 provided on the vertical portion 84 of the cover member 80, a rectangular window portion 88 adjacent to the scale portion 86 and extending along the vertical direction, and a scale portion 86. And a slide portion 90 that has a pointing piece 90a that points to the scale of the scale and that is slidable in the vertical direction along the window portion 88. In this case, the operator slides the slide portion 90 along the oil level of the waste liquid corresponding to the volume of the waste liquid stored in the tank body 78, and is based on the scale indicated by the indicating piece 90a. The volume of waste liquid stored in the tank body 78 can be measured.

  FIG. 3B shows another capacity measuring mechanism 82a according to the modification. The same components as those shown in FIG. 3A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The other capacity measuring mechanism 82 a includes a float member 92 that floats on the oil level of the waste liquid, a string member 94 that is connected to the float member 92, and a string member 94 that is suspended from the shaft main body 78 so as to be rotatable in the tank body 78. The first roller 96a and the second roller 96b to be supported, the wire 100 wound around the shaft portion 98 of the second roller 96b, and the tank main body 78 through the through hole (not shown) through which the wound wire 100 is wound. A heavy-weight slide body 102 which is exposed and connected to the outside.

  In another capacity measuring mechanism 82a according to the modified example, the operator does not slide the slide body 102 manually, and the float member 92 moves up and down at the height of the oil level corresponding to the capacity of the stored waste liquid. The slide body 102 is automatically displaced through the wire 100 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the float member 92.

  Accordingly, the oil surface height of the float member 92 and the height in the vertical direction of the slide body 102 are provided to substantially coincide with each other, and the slide body 102 is automatically displaced in conjunction with the vertical movement of the float member 92. As a result, the operator can easily measure the amount of storage by reading the scale indicated by the slide body 102 displaced to a height corresponding to the volume of waste liquid stored (height of the oil level). it can.

  7A to 7C show still another capacity measuring mechanism 82b according to the modification. The same components as those shown in FIG. 3A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  This further capacity measuring mechanism 82b is composed of a strip-shaped cylindrical member 104 formed of a transparent or translucent material whose remaining amount in the waste liquid tank 76 is visible. The cylindrical member 104 is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the outer surface of the waste liquid tank 76 and does not slide down due to an appropriate frictional force with the outer surface of the waste liquid tank 76. The degree of fitting is set.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cylindrical member 104 is provided with a scale 106 for measuring the amount of waste liquid. The scale 106 includes an annular broken line provided at an intermediate portion of the cylindrical member 104 and a character “supply line”, and the oil level height of the amount of waste liquid in the waste liquid tank 76 matches the height of the broken line. By becoming the predetermined amount exceeding the predetermined amount and the height of the broken line, it becomes a guideline for supplying a new brake fluid. Note that an English letter “LOWER LEVEL” indicating that the storage amount in the waste liquid tank 76 has not yet reached a predetermined amount is displayed on the lower side of the annular broken line.

  In another capacity measuring mechanism 82b shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), it can be easily understood at a glance how much waste liquid amount should be supplied from the reservoir tank 22 when a new brake fluid is supplied. In addition, the scale 106 of the “supply line” may be provided on the cylindrical member 104 attached to the waste liquid tank 76, and new waste fluid may be supplied to the reservoir tank 22 when the amount of waste liquid reaches the scale position.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the capacity measuring mechanisms 82, 82a, and 82b are provided in the waste liquid tank 76, thereby confirming the remaining amount in the waste liquid tank 76, and the reservoir tank 22 from the air pressure feeding process of the brake fluid described later. The timing for switching to the brake fluid supply process for supplying brake fluid to the vehicle can be appropriately determined. In other words, when the brake fluid air pressure feeding process for discharging the brake fluid that has been completed in the hydraulic brake system including the reservoir tank 22 into the waste liquid tank 76 is performed, the remaining brake fluid in the reservoir tank 22 is retained. Brake fluid supply step of supplying new brake fluid to the reservoir tank 22 by measuring (confirming) the storage amount in the waste liquid tank 76 by the capacity measuring mechanisms 82, 82a, 82b without checking the amount one by one. The timing (time) of switching to can be easily determined.

  The brake fluid exchanging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, the operation and effects thereof will be described.

  First, the brake fluid air pressure feeding process of discharging the brake fluid that has been completed in the hydraulic brake system including the reservoir tank 22 into the waste liquid tank 76 will be described.

  In this air pressure feeding step, the first on-off valve 20 is opened while the second on-off valve 34 and the atmosphere release valve 30 are in the closed state, and the compressed air supply source 12 is energized to supply the compressed air. . The compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply source 12 circulates along the passage 14 and the first branch passage 14a, and the first on-off valve 20, the first regulator 24, the first joint 26, the first check valve 28, The liquid is supplied into the reservoir tank 22 through the second joint 32 sequentially.

  Note that the air pressure of the compressed air supplied into the chamber of the reservoir tank 22 is suitably controlled by the first regulator 24. For example, even when the original pressure of the compressed air supply source 12 fluctuates, the original pressure is maintained. The air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the chamber of the reservoir tank 22 can be appropriately maintained without being affected.

  Therefore, the brake fluid previously stored in the reservoir tank 22 is pressurized by the compressed air supplied into the chamber of the reservoir tank 22 and pressed downward (see step S1). As a result, the pressurized brake fluid presses the brake fluid existing in the pipe passage 70 and the caliper 68 connected to the reservoir tank 22, and the brake fluid existing in the hydraulic brake system is discharged into the waste liquid tank 76. (See FIG. 4).

  The capacity of the brake fluid (waste liquid) discharged into the waste liquid tank 76 is simply measured by the capacity measuring mechanisms 82 and 82a described above (see step S2), so that the next brake fluid supply process, which is the next process, is performed. Can be suitably determined.

  After a predetermined amount of brake fluid is discharged into the waste liquid tank 76, the compressed air supply source 12 is turned off to stop the supply of compressed air (see step S3), and the valve position of the first on-off valve 20 is changed. Switch from the open state to the closed state. In this way, the brake fluid air pressure feeding process is completed.

  Subsequently, when switching to the new brake fluid supply process, which is the next process, the cock 30a is operated to switch the valve position of the atmosphere release valve 30 from the valve closed state to the valve open state (see step S4). . This is because when the new brake fluid is supplied to the reservoir tank 22 in the next step, the pressure in the reservoir tank 22 is made lower than the supply pressure of the new brake fluid, thereby This is because the supply is carried out smoothly.

  Next, the valve position of the second on-off valve 34 is switched from the closed state to the open state while the first on-off valve 20 is in the closed state, and the compressed air supply source 12 is energized to supply the compressed air. To do. Note that the atmosphere release valve 30 is in the atmosphere release state as described above.

  Compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply source 12 circulates along the passage 14 and the second branch passage 14b, and is introduced into the brake fluid supply tank 36 through the second on-off valve 34 and the second regulator 38. (See step S5). The air pressure of the compressed air supplied into the brake fluid supply tank 36 is suitably controlled by the second regulator 38. For example, even if the original pressure of the compressed air supply source 12 fluctuates, the original air pressure changes. The air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the interior of the brake fluid supply tank 36 can be properly maintained without being affected by the pressure.

  The new brake fluid is pressed downward by the compressed air introduced into the brake fluid supply tank 36, and the pressurized new brake fluid passes through the second check valve 40 and the second joint 42. While being supplied into the reservoir tank 22, the entire hydraulic brake system including the caliper 68 is filled through the piping passage 70 (see FIG. 5).

  After the new brake fluid in the brake fluid supply tank 36 is filled in the entire hydraulic brake system, the compressed air supply source 12 is deenergized to stop the supply of brake fluid (see step S6). The supply pressure of compressed air in the air pressure feeding process and the supply pressure of compressed air in the brake fluid supply process are set to be different from each other. For example, the supply pressure of compressed air in the air pressure feeding process is about 0. 0. The supply pressure of compressed air in the brake fluid supply step is set to about 0.05 MPa, and a new brake fluid can be supplied with a lower air supply pressure than when the waste liquid is pumped.

  In the present embodiment, both the removal of brake fluid (waste liquid) and the supply of new brake fluid that have been completed using only the compressed air supply source 12 without using the negative pressure generator used in the prior art. By performing the above, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the size of the entire apparatus and improve the working efficiency.

  In other words, by switching the valve positions of the first on-off valve 20 and the second on-off valve 34 communicating with the compressed air supply source 12, an air pressure feeding process for removing brake fluid after work and a new brake fluid are filled. The brake fluid supply process can be easily performed, and the air release valve 30 is provided to perform degassing, thereby preventing air from entering the brake fluid, thereby achieving downsizing of the device. And the efficiency of replacement work can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, when a new brake fluid is supplied to the reservoir tank 22, the pressure in the reservoir tank 22 is set to the outside so that the pressure in the reservoir tank 22 is lower than the supply pressure of the new brake fluid. By providing the air release valve 30 for releasing, a new brake fluid supply operation can be performed simply and efficiently.

It is a schematic circuit block diagram of the brake fluid exchange apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the axial direction of a reservoir tank, (b) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the inner cover part was pressed and sealed by screwing in the volt | bolt. (A) is a perspective view which shows the capacity | capacitance measuring mechanism provided in a waste liquid tank, (b) is a perspective view which shows another capacity | capacitance measuring mechanism. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the air pressure sending process which removes the brake fluid (waste liquid) which finished work. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the brake fluid supply process which fills a new brake fluid after finishing the said air pressure feeding process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said brake fluid exchange apparatus. (A) is a perspective view showing a state in which another capacity measuring mechanism is provided in the waste liquid tank, (b) is a perspective view of a cylindrical member constituting the capacity measuring mechanism, and (c) is (b) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along CC line | wire.

Explanation of symbols

10 Brake Fluid Changer 12 Compressed Air Supply Source (Compressed Air Supply Means)
16 Air pressure feeding system (waste liquid removal means)
18 Brake fluid supply system (brake fluid supply means)
20, 34 On-off valve (compressed air switching means)
22 Reservoir tank 24, 38 Regulator 30 Air release valve (pressure control valve)
36 Brake Fluid Supply Tank 44 Tank Body 46 Opening Portion 48 Lid Member 56 Tapered Part (Lid Receiving Part)
58 Outer lid 60 Inner lid 64 Bolt 67 Brake device 82, 82a, 82b Capacity measuring mechanism

Claims (4)

In the brake fluid changer that removes the brake fluid from the brake device and supplies a new brake fluid to the reservoir tank,
Waste liquid removing means for removing brake fluid from the brake device by pumping compressed air to the reservoir tank;
Brake fluid supply means for supplying a new brake fluid to the reservoir tank by compressing compressed air,
Compressed air supply means for pumping compressed air to each of the waste liquid removing means and the brake supply means;
Compressed air switching means for supplying compressed air fed from the compressed air supply means by switching to one of the waste liquid removing means and the brake fluid supply means;
A brake fluid exchange device comprising: The brake fluid changer according to claim 1,
The waste liquid removing means is configured so that when the new brake fluid is supplied to the reservoir tank by the brake fluid supply means, the pressure in the reservoir tank is lower than the supply pressure of the new brake fluid. A brake fluid changer having a pressure control valve for adjusting pressure. The brake fluid changer according to claim 1 or 2,
The reservoir tank is provided with a lid member that closes the opening of the reservoir tank, and the lid member includes an outer lid that is screwed with a screw portion formed on an outer surface of the opening of the reservoir tank; A brake fluid exchanging device, comprising: an inner lid portion that is pressed by screwing a bolt and seals tightly to a lid receiving portion provided in the reservoir tank. In the brake fluid exchange device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A waste liquid tank for storing waste liquid discharged from the brake device;
The brake fluid exchange device, wherein the waste liquid tank is provided with a capacity measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of stored waste liquid.

Images