Flexible finishing station for brake pads and method therefor

Abstract

A finishing station (1) configured for chamfering and / or grooving on a block (5) of friction material of a brake pad (2) and comprising a robotized articulated arm (8) provided with a head (11) rotating about a first axis (A) and carrying a tool (19) comprising a rigid plate (20) perpendicular to the first axis (A) and carrying a first motorized holding device (24) and a second motorized holding device (25), the first motorized holding means and the second motorized holding means are each configured to hold a brake pad (2) and are rotatable in an independent manner about a second axis (B) parallel to the first axis (A) and arranged side by side at a first axial distance (I1); wherein a first grinding module (9) and a second grinding module (37) are arranged in front of the robotized articulated arm (8), each comprising a pair of grinding wheels (31, 32; 41, 42).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000012506 filed on June 13, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an automatic grinding station for finishing brake pads, which is flexible in operation.

[0004] Here and below, “flexible” means “having the ready ability to adapt to new, different or changing requirements”.

[0005] In other words, the present invention relates to a finishing grinding station that is capable of simultaneously or sequentially performing a plurality of different machining operations for removing / ablating friction material from a friction material block of a brake pad without or with minimal reconfiguration in order to provide the friction material block with chamfers and / or grooves of different shapes. Background Art

[0006] Braking elements for vehicles generally include a block of friction material and a support for the block of friction material, to which the block of friction material is bonded, for example, by gluing or other methods. The support generally includes a metal plate, also called a "backing plate".

[0007] The friction material block is hot molded, for example co-molded, under pressure onto the support, starting from a suitable mixture of raw material components including a binder, which is usually organic, such as a thermosetting resin, fibers, abrasives, inorganic fillers, lubricants, and the like.

[0008] In order to avoid the generation of noise when the brake pad is in operation on the vehicle, for example during vehicle braking, the brake pad thus obtained will be subjected to a finishing operation, during which at least some of the edges of the friction material block can be provided with chamfers and / or the flat face of the friction material block opposite the support can be provided with grooves that subdivide it into sectors.

[0009] Finishing stations based on an operating machine capable of performing a preset number of preset chamfers or grooves on the friction material block of the brake pad are known and comprise two tracks along which the brake pad is dragged in a double line by means of two parallel chains into interaction with a rotating grinding wheel arranged in a stationary position, so as to perform the chamfering on an axis providing the angle of the chamfer by interpolation. This type of finishing station is capable of achieving high productivity of up to 2100 pieces / h, but is very restrictive: firstly, they are dedicated to performing a single type of chamfer (or groove) always in the same position, since the flat chamfer angle is defined by the grinding wheel used and does not require adjustment.

[0010] Secondly, due to their structure, the operating machines are not able to perform chamfers or grooves having angles greater than 35°.

[0011] To meet the flexibility requirements, a finishing station has been developed based on a robotic manipulator serving two rotating grinding wheels: the first is fixed and the second is mobile along the axis to reach the desired position of the chamfer or groove and is able to implement any type of chamfer, but with a relatively low productivity, since it achieves a productivity of 600 pieces per hour at maximum speed. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an enhanced automated finishing station for brake pads which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular which is reliable, easy to implement and capable of realizing simultaneously or sequentially a plurality of chamfers and / or grooves of any different shapes on the friction material block of the brake without or with minimal reconfiguration.

[0013] According to the present invention, there is thus provided an enhanced automated finishing station for brake pads, as defined in the accompanying claims.

[0014] In particular, the finishing station according to the invention is capable of implementing different types of chamfers and grooves on the same brake pad and machining two pads at a time, producing chamfers and grooves of any inclination and any common shape and any combination of grooves on the brake pads at a rate of up to 2100 pads per hour.

[0015] The numerically controlled manipulator consisting of a robotized articulated arm with at least six numerically controlled axes (or simply referred to as "robot" in the following) comprises a head rotating about a first axis and provided with a tool, the tool comprising a rigid plate integrally attached to the head and arranged substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a first motorized holding device and a second motorized holding device carried by the rigid plate arranged side by side. As will be seen, such motorized holding devices constitute the seventh and eighth digitized axes of the robot according to the invention.

[0016] Each of the first and second motorized retaining devices comprises a motor integrally carried by a rigid plate and a clamping assembly configured to retain one vehicle brake element, such that the tool is configured to simultaneously carry two vehicle brake elements.

[0017] The clamping assembly of each first holding device and second holding device is configured to be rotated around a corresponding second axis by a corresponding motor, the second axis of the first holding device and the second axis of the second holding device are parallel to each other and parallel to the first axis and are arranged side by side, separated by a first axis spacing consisting of a distance between them, and the second axis is arranged eccentrically relative to the first axis.

[0018] The first holding device and the second holding device can be operated independently of each other by means of a motor.

[0019] Furthermore, the clamping assembly of each first and second retaining device is configured to retain one vehicle brake element at a time via its support carrying the friction material block and arranged on the side opposite to the first face of the friction material block provided with the chamfer and / or the groove.

[0020] The clamping assembly of each of the first and second holding devices is configured to hold a first face of the block of friction material parallel to the rigid plate of the tool and facing a first grinding module that is part of the automated finishing station of the present invention.

[0021] The first grinding module comprises a first motorized head and a second motorized head carried by a first fixed base arranged near the robotized articulated arm, the first motorized head supporting a respective first grinding wheel that rotates about a third axis that is its own axis of symmetry, and the second motorized head supporting a respective second grinding wheel that rotates about a fourth axis that is its own axis of symmetry.

[0022] The first and second motorized heads are rotatable about respective fifth axes, which are arranged side by side and parallel to each other and perpendicular to the respective third and fourth axes of rotation of the first and second grinding wheels.

[0023] The fifth axes are spaced apart by a second axis spacing, ie, are spaced apart from each other at the same distance as the first axis spacing.

[0024] In addition, the automated finishing station of the present invention also includes: a second grinding module, which is arranged side by side with the first grinding module and in front of the robotized articulated arm; and at least one conveyor, which is arranged between the robotized articulated arm and the first grinding module and the second grinding module.

[0025] The conveyor is configured to transport a plurality of vehicle brake elements in a row along an empty space defined between the robotized articulated arm and the first grinding module and the second grinding module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] A preferred but non-limiting embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to a number of actual working examples of implementation of the invention and with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are intended only to disclose in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner the features that are part of the content of the present disclosure, in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 A schematic three-quarter isometric view from above of an automated finishing station for brake elements, such as, for example, brake pads, realized according to the invention is shown;

[0028] - Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the Figure 1 A three-quarter isometric view from above of the main elements of an automated finishing station, with some parts removed for simplicity;

[0029] - Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a section of the uterus cut in a radial plane in front view and further enlarged in scale is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A longitudinal side view of a grinding module of an automated finishing station;

[0030] - Figure 4 The diagram schematically shows the Figure 1 and Figure 2 Front view of a detail of the robotized articulated arm of the automated finishing station;

[0031] - Figure 5 and Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the device in two different use configurations is shown on a reduced scale. Figure 3 The same three-quarter isometric view of the grinding module from above;

[0032] - Figure 7 The diagram schematically shows the Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-quarter isometric view from above of another grinding module of the automated finishing station;

[0033] - Figure 8 The diagram schematically and on an enlarged scale shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 Three-quarter isometric view from below of a detail of the robotized articulated arm of the automated finishing station carrying and holding the tool for two brake elements to be finished / machined;

[0034] - Fig. 9 With Figure 1 The robotized articulated arm is schematically shown on an enlarged scale in a three-quarter isometric view from above, which is Figure 1 and Figure 2 One of the main components of the automated finishing station and carries Figure 8 tools;

[0035] - Fig.10 With Figure 1 The enlarged scale compared to the schematic diagram shows the Figure 1 A three-quarter isometric view from above of a detail of a substation constituting the automated finishing station; and

[0036] - Fig.11 Schematically shows the Figure 1 Orthogonal factory view from above and corresponding side view, as well as detail of the corresponding cross-section, of a finished vehicle brake component machined by an automated finishing station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Reference Figures 1 to 11 , reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole an automated finishing station for a vehicle brake element 2, such as a brake shoe or brake pad, Figure 8 A pair of vehicle brake elements is schematically shown in a perspective view.

[0038] The finishing station 1 is configured to implement chamfers 3 and / or grooves 4 ( Fig.11 ), the friction material block 5 and the support member 6 together form a vehicle brake element 2.

[0039] exist Fig.11 , a plurality of brake elements 2 consisting of brake pads are shown, which have different finishing, i.e. their side edges are provided with chamfers 3 of different shapes and / or are arranged in different positions and / or have a central and transverse groove 4 arranged on a first face 7 of a friction material block 5, the first face 7 being opposite to the support 6 and facing the element to be braked (e.g. a brake disc) during use.

[0040] In particular, chamfer 3b is called a J-shaped chamfer and chamfer 3c is a flat chamfer, and the chamfers may have different inclinations relative to the generally flat plate support 6. The brake elements 2 themselves may have different sizes and shapes, depending on the vehicle they are designed to work with.

[0041] Figure 8The brake element 2 shown in FIG. 1 has yet to be finished and therefore lacks any chamfers or grooves.

[0042] The automated finishing station 1 includes at least one robotized articulated arm 8 (hereinafter also referred to as “robot 8”) and at least one first grinding machining module 9 (hereinafter also referred to as “grinding module 9”), the first grinding machining module 9 being configured to remove / ablate a portion of the friction material block 5 on the side of the first face 7 of the friction material block 5 to obtain one or more chamfers 3 (e.g., chamfer 3b or chamfer 3c) and / or grooves 4 having a predetermined shape on such friction material block 5.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the finishing station 1 is formed by the connection of two identical substations 1 b , which are arranged side by side and are preferably surrounded by a protective cabin 10 (known and only partially shown for the sake of simplicity).

[0044] According to the simplest embodiment of the invention, each substation 1 b constitutes a complete finishing station according to the invention. The following description will therefore relate to one single finishing substation 1 b or to the entire finishing station 1 without loss of generality.

[0045] At least one robotized articulated arm 8 may be of known type and comprise a motorized head 11 that rotates about a first axis A (this first axis A being the sixth CNC axis of the robot 8, its six CNC axes being counted in ascending order from the base to the wrist, as is customary in commercial robots, as is also the case with the robotized articulated arm 8).

[0046] Preferably, at least one robotized articulated arm 8 has six CNC axes including the first axis A; in particular, the motorized rotating head 11 can be composed of a motorized rotating joint 12 ( Fig. 9 ) support - according to the sequence commonly used by commercial robots like robot 8, the motorized rotary joint 12 is the fifth CNC axis of robot 8, which enables the head 11 to rotate around an axis R perpendicular to the first axis A, such as Figure 1 and Fig. 9 , wherein the head 11 is arranged with its axis A oriented horizontally ( Figure 1 ) and vertical ( Fig. 9 ) in two different locations.

[0047] In general, the robotized articulated arm 8 comprises two straight elements 13 and 14 connected to each other by a motorized joint 15, a motorized rotating base 16 and another motorized rotating joint 18 connecting the base 16 with the straight element 14 further away from the head 11 ( Fig. 9 ).

[0048] According to a first aspect of the invention, the head 11 carries a tool 19, Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 is better shown in an enlarged scale.

[0049] The tool 19 comprises a rigid plate 20 which has a "Y" shape in the factory view, since the plate 20 has two opposite ends 21, 22 of different widths ( Figure 8 ), which are connected by tapered edges having a preferably curved configuration, thus forming a "deformed" triangle that only resembles a capital Y in factory view.

[0050] The plate 20 is integrally attached to the head 11 by means of its narrower end 22, for example by bolts (not shown), and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first axis A. For this purpose, the end 22 is provided with a crown of a suitable seat 23 arranged in a circle around the axis A, and the plate 20 is thus forced to rotate together with the head 11 around the axis A. Thus, the end 21 can also be rotated eccentrically therefrom around the axis A. See e.g. Figure 1 and Fig.10 , in which the plate 20 and the end 21 appear rotated by 90°.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid plate 20 carries at the end 20 a first motorized retaining device 24 and a second motorized retaining device 25 , which are identical to one another and are arranged side by side at opposite side edges of the end 21 .

[0052] Each of the first motorized retaining device 24 and the second motorized retaining device 25 comprises a motor 26 integrally carried by the rigid plate 20 and a clamping assembly 27 ( Figure 8 ), so that the tool 19 is configured to carry two vehicle brake elements 2 at a time.

[0053] In addition, the clamping assembly 27 of each first holding device 24 and the second holding device 25 is configured to rotate around the corresponding second axis B ( Figure 4 ) is rotated to its angularly connected outlet shaft (not shown).

[0054] The two second axes B ( Figure 4 ) are parallel to each other and to the first axis A and are arranged side by side, so as to be spaced apart by a first axis spacing I1, that is, a distance I1 from each other and a distance I1 between the two second axes B.

[0055] Furthermore, the second axis B is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first axis A, and the first holding device 24 and the second holding device 25 are configured to be operable independently of each other by two independent motors 26 .

[0056] The clamping assembly 27 of each first holding device 24 and second holding device 25 is configured to hold one of the vehicle brake elements 2 to be finished at a time via its support 6 / at its support 6 and on the side opposite to the first face 7 of its friction material block 5, thereby keeping the first face 7 always parallel to the rigid plate 20 and facing the first grinding module 9.

[0057] According to another aspect of the invention and in combination with the above-described tool 19, the first grinding module 9 comprises a first motorized head 28 and a second motorized head 29, both of which are supported by a first fixed base 30 ( Figure 1 and Fig.10 ) is carried by the first fixing base 30, which is arranged near the robotized articulated arm 8, that is, completely within the range of action of the robotized articulated arm 8, so that the head 11 can be easily and quickly reached.

[0058] The first motorized head 28 supports a respective first motorized grinding wheel 31 which is symmetrical about a third axis C ( Figure 7 ) rotates, and the second motorized head 29 supports a corresponding second grinding wheel 32, which rotates about a fourth axis D as its axis of symmetry.

[0059] Heads 28 and 29 are referred to as "angle heads" because they are not directly motorized, but are instead driven from respective motorized spindles 280, 290 ( Figure 2 and Figure 7 ) receives the motion, and the pair of gears transmits the motion to the grinding wheels 31, 32, causing the grinding wheels 31, 32 to rotate around the axis C and the axis D respectively.

[0060] According to an aspect of the invention, the first "motorized" head 28 and the second "motorized" head 29 are also rotatable and are configured to rotate each about a respective fifth axis E ( Figure 7 ).

[0061] In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the motors 33 are each arranged laterally to the corresponding axis E and transmit movement to the angle heads 28, 29, so that the angle heads 28, 29 can each rotate independently of each other around an axis E via a transmission gear 330 (known and not shown in detail for simplicity), and can therefore also be tilted at any angle relative to the corresponding axis C, axis D.

[0062] The two axes E of the two motorized heads 28 , 29 are arranged practically side by side and parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the third axis of rotation C of the respective first grinding wheel 31 and the fourth axis of rotation D of the second grinding wheel 32 .

[0063] In addition, according to a non-minor aspect of the present invention, the fifth axis E is spaced apart by a second axis spacing I2, which is the distance measured perpendicularly to each other, which is the same as the first axis spacing I1, that is, the distance measured perpendicularly between a pair of second axes B included in the first retaining device 24 and the second retaining device 25.

[0064] The first angle head 28 and the second angle head 29 are rotatable independently of each other about the respective fifth axis E due to a pair of different and independent motors 33, so that the first grinding module 9 is configured to respond to the control unit 34 ( Fig.10 ) causes the first motorized angle head 28 and the second motorized angle head 29 to rotate by predetermined angles of up to 90° or even 180°, which are the same or different from each other.

[0065] The control unit 34 is an integral part of the automated finishing station 1 according to the invention and the control unit 34 can serve both substations 1b, or in an embodiment not shown, the automated finishing station 1 can comprise two control units 34, one in each substation 1b.

[0066] The control unit 34 is connected to at least one robotized articulated arm 8 and at least one first grinding module 9 via a data cable 35 (in the illustrated embodiment, via data cables of two substations 1b), and controls the at least one robotized articulated arm 8 and the at least one first grinding module 9 via a control signal 36 extending along the data cable 35.

[0067] The control unit 34 is configured to operate the robotized articulated arm 8 and simultaneously rotate the first motorized holding device 24 and the second motorized holding device 25 and the first motorized head 28 and the second motorized head 29 of the first grinding module 9 provided with respective first rotating grinding wheels 31 and second rotating grinding wheels 32 so as to obtain on the friction material block 5 a plurality of chamfers 3, in particular flat chamfers 3c, having a predetermined shape and located in predetermined positions along respective sides of the friction material block 5.

[0068] In this way, according to an important aspect of the invention, the chamfer can be implemented in any position and in order to obtain a flat chamfer, it can be decided to obtain any angle relative to the axis of the brake pad and any angle relative to the back plate surface.

[0069] It is also obvious that, especially when observing Figure 2 It is evident from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 that by rotating the rotatable holding devices 24, 25 in a suitable position and rotating the rotatable heads 28, 29 at the same angle (e.g. 90°) and in the same direction and by providing the rotatable heads 28, 29 with grinding wheels 31, 32 having a suitable shape, e.g. relative to Figure 7 and Fig.10 The grinding wheel shown in FIG. 4 has a thinner thickness, and ultimately the grooves 4 can also be obtained on the face 7 .

[0070] According to another aspect of the invention, the automated finishing station 1 (in the embodiment shown, the two substations 1b of the automated finishing station 1) comprises a second grinding module 37 combined with the first grinding module 9 and arranged side by side with the first grinding module 9; in addition, Figure 1 and Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 8 , both grinding modules 9 , 37 are arranged in front of the robotized articulated arm 8 .

[0071] The automated finishing station 1 further comprises at least one conveyor 38 ( Figure 2 and Fig.10 ).

[0072] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in , the finishing station 1 comprises two identical conveyors 38 arranged side by side between two robots 8 on one side and two pairs of grinding modules 9 , 37 on the other side, thereby forming two substations 1 b.

[0073] In any case, (each) conveyor 38 is configured to transport a plurality of vehicle brake elements 2 in a row along the empty space defined between the robotized articulated arm 8 and the first 9 and second grinding modules 37 of the complete finishing station 1 or two substations 1 b.

[0074] (Each) second grinding module 37 ( Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 ) comprises a second fixed base 39 carrying a motorized shaft 40 rotating about a sixth axis F, which also corresponds to the axis of symmetry of the motorized shaft 40 itself and is arranged perpendicular to the fifth axis E.

[0075] The shaft 40 carries a third grinding wheel 41 and a fourth grinding wheel 42 in a removable manner and side by side, respectively, which are rigidly assembled to the shaft 40 at an angle and are spaced apart from each other by a third axial spacing I3, i.e. the distance between the third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 measured at the middle part of the third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 ( Figure 3) are separated.

[0076] According to one aspect of the present invention, the third inter-axis distance I3 is the same as the first inter-axis distance I1 and the second inter-axis distance I2.

[0077] The third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 are forced to rotate together at the same speed about the sixth axis F, both of which are coupled at an angle to the shaft 40 .

[0078] Furthermore, the shaft 40 is equipped with a quick-assembly bearing unit 43 to connect the third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 to the shaft 40 .

[0079] Reference Figure 3 The quick-assembly support unit 43 comprises a tubular spindle 44 which is arranged coaxially with the shaft 40 and is configured to carry on the shaft 40 a third grinding wheel 41 and a fourth grinding wheel 42 which are rigidly assembled to the shaft 40 at an angle.

[0080] A plurality of spacers 45 are also carried by the spindle 44 so as to block the third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 together at a third interaxial distance I3.

[0081] Finally, the quick assembly support unit 43 includes a quick connection device 46 for connecting the main shaft 44 to the shaft 40 end to end at an angle; the quick connection device 46 is preferably of the Morse taper type, such as Figure 3 as shown in .

[0082] According to another aspect of the invention, the automated finishing station 1 (or each of the two substations 1 b) comprises two sets 47, 48 of third grinding wheels 41 and fourth grinding wheels 42 ( Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0083] The first set 47 includes a pair of grinding wheels 41b, 42b, which are configured to be Figure 4 The friction material blocks 5 of a pair of brake elements 2 to be finished are held by the pair of holding devices 24 and 25 shown in FIG. 1 to obtain a J-shaped chamfer (such as Figure 3 ).

[0084] The second set 48 includes a pair of grinding wheels 41c, 42c, which are configured to be Figure 4 The grooves 4 are obtained on the first faces 7 of the friction material blocks 5 of the pair of brake elements 2 to be finished, which are held by the pair of holding devices 24, 25 shown in FIG. 4 (thus being thinner than the grinding wheels 41b, 42b).

[0085] Depending on the shape of the grinding wheels 41b, 42b, the obtained J-shaped chamfer can have different radii. Likewise, the grooves can have different thicknesses and shapes, such as "U" and "V", depending on the shape of the grinding wheels 41c, 42c.

[0086] As already mentioned, the automated finishing station 1 in its preferred embodiment comprises two robotized articulated arms 8 arranged side by side, each robotized articulated arm being served by a corresponding conveyor 38 and a corresponding first grinding module 9 and a second grinding module 37, the first grinding module 9 and the second grinding module 37 being arranged side by side in front of the corresponding robotized articulated arm 8 and on the opposite side of the corresponding conveyor 38 to the robotized articulated arm 8 to form two paired substations 1b working simultaneously.

[0087] Preferably, (each) conveyor 38 is an endless belt conveyor of any known type, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Fig.10 Schematically shown in FIG.

[0088] According to another aspect of the invention, (each) conveyor 38 is provided with two pairs of locating templates 49 for vehicle brake elements 2 , which are arranged sequentially, in series, along the conveyor 38 and operate on both sides of the conveyor 38 .

[0089] Each pair of positioning templates 49 is separated by a fourth axis spacing I4 ( Figure 2 ) are spaced apart from each other, and a fourth axial distance I4 is set between middle portions of a pair of brake pads 2 blocked by a pair of templates 49 arranged side by side along the conveyor 38.

[0090] From what has been described so far, it is clear that the present invention also relates to a method for obtaining chamfers 3 and / or grooves 4 on a block of friction material 5 carried by a support 6, the block of friction material 5 and the support 6 forming a vehicle brake element 2, the method being performed by a finishing station 1 described above by operating at least one (two) robotized articulated arms 8 (each) provided with a tool 19, so as to manipulate two vehicle brake elements 2 at a time, so that the two vehicle brake elements 2 are simultaneously ground with a corresponding pair of first grinding wheels 31 and second grinding wheels 32 or a corresponding pair of third grinding wheels 41 and fourth grinding wheels 42 arranged side by side (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) contact, the axial distance between the first grinding wheel 31 and the second grinding wheel 32 or the third grinding wheel 41 and the fourth grinding wheel 42 is the same as the first axial distance of the tool 19 to hold two vehicle brake elements 2 at a time.

[0091] use Figure 1The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with two robotized articulated arms 8 and corresponding pairs of grinding modules 9 , 37 makes it possible to obtain two chamfers 3 and a groove 4 in succession on the same brake element 2 .

[0092] In particular, J-shaped chamfers can be obtained with the aid of a module 37 equipped with grinding wheels 41 b, 42 b, while flat chamfers and / or grooves can be obtained by rotating the two tools 19 in a suitable manner by the head 11 and the two holding devices 24, 25 supported thereby and by simultaneously rotating the two motorized heads 28, 29, provided that the module 9 is provided with grinding wheels of suitable shape and thickness.

[0093] In the case where the module 37 is used to provide both a J-chamfer and a groove, this will be possible by replacing the grinding wheels 41b, 42b with grinding wheels 41c, 42c, an operation made quick and easy and possible by the quick release and assembly of the support unit 43.

[0094] All objects of the present disclosure are thus achieved.

[0095] Certain terms

[0096] Although certain braking devices, systems, and methods have been disclosed in the context of certain example embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the present disclosure extends to other alternative embodiments and / or uses of embodiments beyond the specific disclosed embodiments and certain modifications and equivalents thereof, such as the braking devices shown for brake drum-based braking systems. The use of any structure is within the scope of the present invention. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or substituted with one another to form different modes of assembly. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the specific disclosed embodiments described herein.

[0097] Unless expressly stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context in which it is used, conditional language such as "can," "can," "might," or "may" is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include or exclude certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way essential to one or more embodiments.

[0098] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" as used herein refer to an amount that is close to the stated amount and still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, in some embodiments, as the context may indicate, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within a range of less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. Likewise, the term "substantially" as used herein refers to a value, amount, or characteristic that primarily includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic.

[0099] The present disclosure explicitly contemplates that the various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined or substituted with each other. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should only be determined by a fair reading of the appended claims and their full equivalent scope.

Claims

1. An automated finishing station (1) for a vehicle brake element (2), such as a brake shoe or brake pad, the automated finishing station (1) being configured to realize chamfers and / or grooves on a friction material block (5) carried by a support (6), the friction material block and the support forming the vehicle brake element (2), the automated finishing station (1) comprising at least one robotized articulated arm (8) and at least a first grinding module (9), the first grinding module (9) being configured to remove / ablate a portion of the friction material block (5) on the side of a first face (7) of the friction material block (5) in order to obtain one or more chamfers (3) and / or grooves (4) having a predetermined shape on such friction material block; characterized in that Combines the following features: i) - the robotized articulated arm (8) comprises a head (11) rotating about a first axis (A); ii) the head (11) carries a tool (19) comprising a rigid plate (20) integrally attached to the head (11) and arranged substantially perpendicular to the first axis (A), the rigid plate (20) carrying a first motorized holding device (24) and a second motorized holding device (25), the motorized holding devices being arranged side by side; iii) each of said first motorized holding device (24) and said second motorized holding device (25) comprises a motor (26) integrally carried by said rigid plate (20) and a clamping assembly (27) configured to hold one of said vehicle brake elements (2), so that said tool (19) is configured to hold two of said vehicle brake elements (2) simultaneously, iv) the clamping assembly (27) of each of the first holding device (24) and the second holding device (25) is configured to rotate around a corresponding second axis (B) by means of the corresponding motor (26), the second axis (B) of the first holding device and the second axis (B) of the second holding device being parallel to each other and to the first axis (A) and arranged side by side, spaced apart by a first axis spacing (I1), i.e., the distance between the second axis (B) of the first holding device and the second axis (B) of the second holding device, the second axis (B) being arranged eccentrically relative to the first axis (A), the first holding device (24) and the second holding device (25) being capable of being operated independently of each other by means of the motor (26); v)-The clamping assembly (27) of each of the first retaining device (24) and the second retaining device (25) is configured to hold one vehicle brake element (2) at a time through the support (6) of the vehicle brake element (2) and on the side opposite to the first face (7) of the friction material block (5) of the vehicle brake element (2), thereby holding the first face (7) parallel to the rigid plate (20) and facing the first grinding module (9).

2. The automated finishing station according to claim 1, characterized in that: vi) - said first grinding module (9) comprises a first motorized head (28) and a second motorized head (29) carried by a first fixed base (30) arranged in the vicinity of said robotized articulated arm (8), said first motorized head (28) supporting a respective first grinding wheel (31) rotating about a third axis (C) being its own axis of symmetry, and said second motorized head (29) supporting a respective second grinding wheel (32) rotating about a fourth axis (D) being its own axis of symmetry; vii) the first motorized head (28) and the second motorized head (29) are rotatable about respective fifth axes (E), the fifth axes (E) being arranged side by side and parallel to each other and the fifth axes (E) being perpendicular to the respective third axis of rotation (C) of the first grinding wheel and the fourth axis of rotation (D) of the second grinding wheel; viii) the fifth axis (E) is spaced apart by a second axis spacing (I2), which is the same distance from each other as the first axis spacing (I1), i.e. the distance between the second axis (B) of the first retaining device (24) and the second axis (B) of the second retaining device (25).

3. The automated finishing station according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first motorized head (28) and the second motorized head (29) are rotatable independently of each other about the respective fifth axis (E), the first grinding module (9) being configured to rotate the first motorized head (28) and the second motorized head (29) by predetermined angles of up to 90° or 180° in response to a signal (36) from a control unit (34), the predetermined angles being the same or different from each other.

4. An automated finishing station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The automated finishing station comprises a control unit (34) for the at least one robotized articulated arm (8) and for the at least one first grinding module (9); the control unit (34) is configured to operate the robotized articulated arm (8) and simultaneously rotate the first motorized holding device (24) and the second motorized holding device (25) and the first motorized head (28) and the second motorized head (29) of the first grinding module (9) provided with respective first rotating grinding wheels (31) and second rotating grinding wheels (32) so as to obtain on the friction material block (5) a plurality of chamfers (3) having a predetermined shape and located in predetermined positions along respective sides of the friction material block (5).

5. An automated finishing station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The automated finishing station also includes a second grinding module (37) arranged side by side with the first grinding module (9) and arranged in front of the robotized articulated arm (8); the automated finishing station also includes at least one conveyor (38) arranged between the robotized articulated arm (8) and the first grinding module (9) and the second grinding module (37), and the at least one conveyor (38) is configured to transport a plurality of vehicle brake elements (2) in a row along an empty space defined between the robotized articulated arm (8) and the first grinding module (9) and the second grinding module (37).

6. The automated finishing station according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second grinding module (37) comprises a second fixed base (39) carrying a motorized shaft (40) rotating about a sixth axis (F), the sixth axis (F) corresponding to the axis of symmetry of the motorized shaft (40) itself and arranged perpendicular to the fifth axis (E); the shaft (40) carrying a third grinding wheel (41) and a fourth grinding wheel (42) in a removable manner and side by side, the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) being rigidly assembled to the shaft (40) at an angle and with the third axis between them. The third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) are spaced apart by a distance (i3), i.e., a distance between the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42), the third axial spacing (I3) being the same as the first axial spacing (I1) and the second axial spacing (I2); the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) are forced to rotate together around the sixth axis (F) at the same speed; and the shaft (40) is equipped with a quick-assembly support unit (43) to connect the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) to the shaft (40).

7. The automated finishing station according to claim 6, characterized in that: The quick assembly support unit (43) comprises: a tubular spindle (44) which is coaxially arranged with the shaft (40) and is configured to carry the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) which are rigidly assembled to the shaft (40) at an angle; a plurality of spacers (45) which are carried by the spindle (44) so ​​as to block the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) together at the third axial spacing (I3); and a quick connection device (46) which is used to connect the spindle (44) to the shaft (40) head-to-head at an angle, and the quick connection device (46) is preferably of Morse taper type.

8. The automated finishing station according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The automated finishing station comprises two sets (47, 48) of the third grinding wheels (41b, 41c) and the fourth grinding wheels (42b, 42c) connectable to the motorized shaft (40) in an interchangeable manner: the first set (47) being configured to obtain a J-shaped chamfer on the friction material block (5), and the second set (48) being configured to obtain a groove (4) on the first face (7) of the friction material block.

9. An automated finishing station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The at least one robotized articulated arm (8) has six CNC axes including the first axis (A); and the automated finishing station (1) includes two robotized articulated arms (8) arranged side by side, each robotized articulated arm is served by a corresponding conveyor (38) and a first grinding module (9) and a second grinding module (37), the first grinding module (9) and the second grinding module (37) being arranged side by side in front of the corresponding robotized articulated arm (8) and on the opposite side of the corresponding conveyor (38) to the robotized articulated arm (8).

10. The automated finishing station according to claim 9, characterized in that: Each of the conveyors (38) is an endless belt conveyor and is provided with two pairs of positioning templates (49) for the vehicle brake elements (2), the two pairs of positioning templates (49) being arranged sequentially and in series along the conveyor (38) and operating on both sides of the conveyor (38), the pairs of positioning templates (49) being spaced apart by a fourth axis spacing (I4) which is the same as the first axis spacing (I1).

11. A method for obtaining chamfers (3) and / or grooves (4) on a block of friction material (5) carried by a support (6), the block of friction material and the support forming a vehicle brake element (2), the method being characterized in that the method is performed by operating the at least one robotized articulated arm (8) provided with the tool (19) by a finishing station (1) according to any of the preceding claims in order to manipulate two of the vehicle brake elements (2) at a time so that the two vehicle brake elements (2) are simultaneously in contact with a corresponding pair of first (31) and second (32) grinding wheels or a corresponding pair of third (41) and fourth (42) grinding wheels arranged side by side, wherein: The axial distance between the first grinding wheel (31) and the second grinding wheel (32) or between the third grinding wheel (41) and the fourth grinding wheel (42) is identical to a first axial distance (I1) for the tool (19) to hold two vehicle brake elements (2) at a time.

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