U.S. patent application number 10/199398 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for brake assembly with cooling fins.
Invention is credited to Jenkinson, Scott.
Application Number | 20040011607 10/199398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30000061 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040011607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenkinson, Scott |
January 22, 2004 |
BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH COOLING FINS
Abstract
A brake drum includes a plurality of ribs formed on an outer
surface with each rib extending about the circumference of the
drum. Recesses are formed between the ribs that also extend about
the circumference of the drum. Wedges are secured between the ribs,
within the recesses, to direct air flow away from the drum.
Inventors: |
Jenkinson, Scott;
(Davisburg, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
30000061 |
Appl. No.: |
10/199398 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
188/218R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D 2065/132 20130101;
F16D 65/827 20130101; F16D 2065/1332 20130101; F16D 65/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
188/218.00R |
International
Class: |
F16D 065/10 |
Claims
1. A brake assembly comprising: a rotating brake member defining an
axis of rotation and presenting and outer surface and an inner
surface for selective engagement with a non-rotating brake member;
a plurality of ribs formed about the periphery of said outer
surface with each of said ribs being spaced apart from each other
to define a plurality of recesses between said ribs; and at least
one insert positioned within one of said recesses for directing air
flow away from said outer surface as said rotating brake member
rotates about said axis of rotation.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said ribs and
recesses extend about the circumference in an unbroken
formation.
3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein each of said ribs is
defined by a first diameter and each of said recesses is defined by
a second diameter less than said first diameter.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said ribs
includes a distal portion located at a first radial distance from
said axis of rotation and wherein each of said recesses includes a
base portion located at a second radial distance from said axis of
rotation with said first radial distance being greater than said
second radial distance.
5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one insert
comprises a plurality of inserts with at least one insert being
positioned within each of said recesses.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein inserts positioned in
adjacent recesses are coplanar.
7. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein inserts positioned in
adjacent recesses are non-coplanar.
8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one insert
comprises a plurality of inserts with multiple inserts being
positioned within each of said recesses.
9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of
inserts includes at least a first set of inserts positioned at a
first position about the circumference of said outer surface and a
second set of inserts positioned at a second position arcuately
spaced apart from said first position.
10. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said first set of
inserts presents a first set of collinear upper edges to define a
first line and said second set of inserts presents a second set of
collinear edges to define a second line that is arcuately spaced
apart from said first line relative to said axis of rotation.
11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert and said
recess cooperate to define a base point with said insert being
positioned at an oblique angle relative to a tangent line extending
through said base point.
12. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert and said
recess cooperate to define a base point with said insert being
positioned at a perpendicular angle relative to a tangent line
extending through said base point.
13. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rotating member
comprises a brake drum formed from a composite material.
14. A brake drum assembly comprising: a brake drum defining an axis
of rotation and presenting and outer surface and an inner surface
for selective engagement with a non-rotating brake member; a
plurality of ribs formed about the circumference of said outer
surface with each of said ribs being spaced apart from each other
in a generally linear direction extending along said axis of
rotation; a plurality of grooves formed about the circumference of
said outer surface with said grooves being spaced apart from each
other in a generally linear direction extending along said axis of
rotation and positioned between adjacent ribs; and a plurality of
wedges with at least one wedge being positioned within each of said
recesses, said wedges for directing air flow outwardly from said
grooves and away from said outer surface as said brake drum rotates
about said axis of rotation.
15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein said plurality of
wedges includes at least a first set of wedges positioned at a
first location on said outer surface and a second set of wedges
positioned at a second location arcuately spaced apart from said
first location.
16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein said first set of
wedges is coplanar and said second set of wedges is coplanar.
17. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein each of said wedges
and said corresponding groove cooperate to define a base point with
said wedge being positioned at an oblique angle relative to a
tangent line extending through said base point.
18. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein each of said wedges
and said corresponding groove cooperate to define a base point with
said wedge being positioned at a perpendicular angle relative to a
tangent line extending through said base point.
19. A method for directing air flow away from an outer surface of a
rotating brake drum comprising the steps of: (a) forming a
plurality of ribs on the outer surface that extend continuously
about the circumference of the brake drum; (b) forming a plurality
of recesses between the ribs; and (c) inserting at least one wedge
member in each of the recesses to direct air flow outwardly from
the groove and away from the outer surface of the rotating brake
drum.
20. A method according to claim 19 including the step of forming
the ribs and recesses with arcuate surfaces and forming the wedge
with a corresponding arcuate surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to a brake drum assembly
with cooling fins for increasing the rate of heat transfer from the
brake drum to the atmosphere.
[0002] Brake assemblies includes a rotating member such as a brake
drum or brake disc that rotates with a vehicle wheel and a
non-rotating member such as a brake shoe or brake pad that engages
the rotating member to slow or stop the vehicle wheel. When the
non-rotating member engages the rotating member, during a braking
event, a significant amount of heat is generated. If this heat is
not dissipated in an effective manner, premature heat cracks can be
generated, which could cause premature wear or component
failure.
[0003] For example, in lightweight brake drum applications, the
brake drum has a ribbed design formed about the circumference of
the drum. This rib design has been found to influence the wear
pattern and temperature distribution of the drum. Between the ribs,
less material is used in dispersing the heat, resulting from
frictional contact of the brake lining against the inner surface of
the drum, to the external atmosphere. This causes a bluing effect
in the area between the ribs, which can result in the initiation of
heat cracks.
[0004] Thus, a brake assembly design that more effectively
dissipates heat generated at the brake assembly to the external
atmosphere is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A brake assembly includes a rotating brake member that
rotates about an axis of rotation and has an outer surface and an
inner surface that comes into frictional contact with a brake
lining supported by a non-rotating brake component. Ribs are formed
about the periphery of the rotating brake member. Inserts are
secured between the ribs to increase air movement between the ribs
and to increase the rate of heat transfer from the rotating brake
component to the atmosphere.
[0006] In one embodiment, the inserts are secured in recesses
formed between the ribs. At least one insert is installed within
each recess and preferably, multiple inserts are installed within
each recess. The inserts can be secured within the recesses in
groups, with each group being arcuately spaced apart from the next
group and with each insert in a group being installed along a
common linear path between ribs. Or, the inserts can be installed
in a staggered pattern relative to each other.
[0007] In one embodiment, the inserts are wedge shaped and contact
at least a portion of each rib between which the insert is
installed. Also, the wedges can be installed at angles relative to
the periphery of the brake component and/or perpendicular to the
periphery of the brake component.
[0008] The subject invention provides a method and apparatus for
more effectively dissipating heat generated during braking from a
brake component to the atmosphere to improve component wear and
heat distribution characteristics. These and other features of the
present invention can be best understood from the following
specifications and drawings, the following of which is a brief
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a brake assembly
incorporating the subject invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brake assembly of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an insert pattern.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of an insert pattern.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an insert installation
position.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an insert installation
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] A brake assembly is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The
brake assembly includes a rotating brake component, such as a brake
drum 12, and a non-rotating brake component, such as a brake shoe
14. The brake drum 12 is mounted to a vehicle wheel (not shown) for
rotation about an axis of rotation 16. The brake drum 12 includes
an outer surface 18 and an inner braking surface 20.
[0016] The brake shoe 14 includes a backing plate 22 that supports
a brake lining 24. An actuating mechanism, shown schematically at
26, moves the brake shoe 14 toward the brake drum 12 during a
braking even such that the brake lining 24 comes into contact with
the inner braking surface 20 to slow or stop the vehicle wheel. Any
type of actuating mechanism 26 known in the art can be used to move
the brake shoe 14 into engagement with the brake drum 12.
[0017] Preferably, the brake drum 12 is a lightweight brake drum
made from a composite material with a corrugated or ribbed external
surface. The corrugated surface is formed by a plurality of ribs 30
is formed about the periphery of the outer surface 28 of the drum
12. The ribs 30 preferably extend continuously about the periphery
of the drum 12 and are defined by a first radial distance d1 from
the axis of rotation. 16. Further, the ribs 30 are spaced apart
from one another along a linear direction extending parallel to the
axis of rotation 16.
[0018] Recesses or valleys 32 are formed between the ribs 30. The
recesses 32 preferably extend continuously about the periphery of
the drum 12 and are defined by a second radial distance d2 that is
less than d1. The recesses 32 are also spaced apart from one
another along a linear direction extending parallel to the axis of
rotation 16.
[0019] Preferably, the ribs 30 and drum 12 are integrally formed
together as a single piece. The ribs 30 and recesses 32 are also
preferably defined by arcuate surfaces to form a sinusoidal
cross-sectional shape, shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] In order to more effectively dissipate heat generated during
braking, the subject invention positions inserts or wedges 34
within the recesses 32 between the ribs 30. In one embodiment, at
least one wedge 34 is inserted in each recess 32, however, in the
preferred embodiment, multiple wedges 34 are installed within each
recess 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The wedges 34 preferably contact at
least a portion of each adjacent rib 30.
[0021] Preferably, the wedges 34 are half-mooned shaped to
generally fill the recess 32 between adjacent ribs 30, however,
other shapes could also be used. Further, the wedges 34 can be
secured within the recesses 32, between the ribs 30, by any joining
method known in the art such as by welding for example.
[0022] The wedges 34 are secured between the ribs 30 to direct air
flowing around the rotating drum 12 outwardly from the recesses 32
and away from the drum 12. This provides a more rapid heat transfer
from the drum 12 to the atmosphere to reduce heat cracking in the
areas between the ribs 30.
[0023] The number of wedges 34 installed within the recesses can
vary from recess 32 to recess 32 or can be the same for each
recess. Further the wedges 34 can be installed at multiple
locations about the periphery of the drum. For example, as shown in
FIG. 2, a first group of wedges 34a is installed at a first
position and a second group of wedges 34b is installed at a second
position that is arcuately spaced from the first position. It
should be understood that the number of wedges 34 needed to
effectively dissipate heat could vary depending upon the vehicle
application.
[0024] The wedges 34 can also be installed in the recesses 32 in
various different patterns. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the
wedges 34 can be installed next to each other along a coplanar or
collinear path. In this configuration, the first group of wedges
34a would be coplanar or define edges that are collinear with
adjacent wedges 34 in the same group 34a and the second group of
wedges 34b would be coplanar or define edges that are collinear
with adjacent wedges 34 in the same group 34b.
[0025] In another example shown in FIG. 4, the wedges 34 are
installed in a staggered pattern such that adjacent wedges 34 are
not coplanar. The patterns shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be used
separately or a combination of the two (2) different patterns could
be used together. Also, it should be understood that other wedge
patterns could also be used either alone or in combination with the
patterns described above. Please note that FIGS. 3 and 4 show a
partial section of the ribs 30 and recesses 32 in a flattened
orientation simply for descriptive purposes relating to position of
the wedges 34.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each wedge 34 and recess 32
cooperates to define a base point 40. The wedge 34 can be
positioned at an oblique angle relative to a tangent line 42
extending through the base point to as shown in FIG. 5, or can be
positioned at a perpendicular angle relative to the tangent line
42.
[0027] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been
disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize
that certain modifications would come within the scope of this
invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied
to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
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