Suction connection housing for a brake dust extraction system

Abstract

A suction connection housing for a brake dust extraction device for a disc brake arrangement has at least one suction opening which is designed as a suction slot which extends at least partially in the radial direction with respect to the brake disc rotation axis and has a variable slot width at least in sections along its length.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a suction connection housing for a brake dust extraction device for a disc brake arrangement. State of the art

[0002] WO 2011 / 160 976 A1 discloses a disc brake assembly equipped with a brake dust extraction device for removing brake dust generated during braking. The brake disc of the disc brake assembly is partially covered by two lateral cover parts of a housing, each defining a lateral gap. A suction connection housing is connected to the cover parts in such a way that the gaps communicate with a flow path in the suction connection housing. A suction line is connected to the suction connection housing, in which an air flow is generated from the suction connection housing to a fine dust filter with the aid of a suction fan.

[0003] DE 11 2013 005 330 T5 discloses a non-fouling brake assembly comprising: a rotor, a pad comprising friction material capable of releasing particles resulting from abrasion, an autonomous suction device for sucking the particles, which has an inlet opening arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pad and the rotor, a collection chamber for collecting the particles, an impeller driven by the rotor by means of a roller pressing on the rotor to suck the particles through the opening and drive them into the collection chamber such that the particles are collected as close as possible to their source.

[0004] DE 42 40 873 A1 discloses a brake dust retention device for motor vehicles with disc brakes, wherein the brake dust retention device prevents the release of brake dust generated during brake pad wear into the environment. Accordingly, a suction nozzle is attached to the brake dust generation site in the immediate vicinity of a brake disc, next to a brake caliper that spans the edge of the brake disc. This suction nozzle is connected via a suction line to a central suction fan, on which a filter unit for collecting and storing the brake dust is located. The suction device can easily be expanded to vacuum any number of disc brakes. The brake dust is collected and stored at a central location in the vehicle so that it can be disposed of quickly, easily, and safely during maintenance work. Furthermore, the device contributes to cooling the disc brakes.

[0005] DE 295 06 916 U1 relates to a disc brake, in particular a disc brake with a brake disc and brake pads that can be pressed against it. The disc brake has a suction device by means of which the wear from the brake pads and the brake disc can be extracted and collected. The suction device extracts the wear particles from the area surrounding the disc brake as they occur and collects them, for example, in a dust container that can be emptied at regular intervals. Removing the wear particles increases the braking effect. Furthermore, the suction cooling effect of the disc brake further improves the braking effect and extends the service life of the brake. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The invention is based on the object of effectively removing brake dust, which occurs when a disc brake arrangement in a vehicle is actuated, using simple measures.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. The subclaims specify expedient developments.

[0008] The suction connection housing according to the invention can be used in brake dust extraction systems for disc brake assemblies in vehicles. The suction connection housing forms a suction head through which the accumulating brake dust is removed from its source on the brake disc of the disc brake assembly. The suction connection housing represents the link between the disc brake assembly and the brake dust extraction system. The suction connection housing can be designed separately from the brake dust extraction system or be permanently connected to the brake dust extraction system and form a component of the brake dust extraction system. The suction connection housing can be mounted on a component of the disc brake assembly.

[0009] At least one suction opening is incorporated into the suction connection housing. This opening is designed as a suction slot which, with respect to the brake disc's axis of rotation - when the suction connection housing is assembled - extends at least partially in the radial direction and has a variable slot width at least in sections along its length. The design as a suction slot with a radial extension component enables brake dust to be collected flatly from the brake disc during rotation. Changing the slot width changes the open cross-sectional area of ​​the suction slot through which the brake dust is extracted. The variable slot width of the suction slot has the advantage of providing a flow-optimized contour of the suction slot with regard to dust extraction performance.In particular, it is possible to achieve a constant or nearly constant suction power along the length of the suction slot, despite the higher tangential velocity component of the brake disc in the radially outer edge area. Due to the constant suction power along the suction slot, the overall effectiveness and efficiency are improved.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the slot width of the suction slot widens radially from the outside to the inside along its slot length, at least in sections. In the radially outer section, the slot width of the suction slot is smaller than in a section located further radially inward. The higher tangential velocity component of the brake disc in the radially outer edge region compensates for the smaller slot width of the suction slot in this section. The larger slot width of the suction slot in the radially inner section of the suction slot compensates for the smaller tangential velocity component in this section. Advantageously, the suction slot has the smallest slot width in the radially outer region and the largest slot width in the radially inner region.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the suction slot has a continuously widening slot width at least along one partial section, in particular a uniformly continuously widening slot width, so that the free cross-sectional area of ​​this partial section has a triangular shape in plan view. According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the suction slot is composed of at least two partial sections which differ in the slot shape, wherein one partial section has a continuously widening slot width along its length as described above and another partial section has, for example, a constant slot width or a less widening slot width, in particular in the radially outer region of the suction slot. The suction slot can be composed of exactly two of the previously described partial sections.

[0012] In a further embodiment, it may also be expedient for the suction slot to be composed of a total of three sections, each of which differs in terms of the slot width. A first, radially outer section of the suction slot has a constant or only slightly widening slot width, a second, adjoining section has a continuously and more rapidly widening slot width, and a third, radially inner section has a constant or almost constant slot width that is greater than the maximum slot width of the second section.

[0013] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the suction connection housing has at least one suction arm into which the suction slot is incorporated. The suction arm is connected to a discharge channel, which is part of the suction connection housing and with which the suction slot is fluidly connected. The brake dust, which is picked up via the suction slot, is transported via the discharge channel towards the brake dust extraction device. The suction arm and the discharge channel are both components of the suction connection housing. The suction arm advantageously extends parallel to the lateral friction surface of the brake disc, with the suction slot in the suction arm also being aligned correspondingly parallel to the lateral friction surface of the brake disc.It may be appropriate for the suction arm and the suction slot to be aligned non-parallel to the lateral friction surface of the brake disc and to form an angle of maximum 30° relative to the lateral friction surface of the brake disc.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the suction connection housing is provided with two separate and spaced-apart suction slots, which are arranged on different components of the suction connection housing. The open sides of the suction slots can face each other. In the assembled state, the suction slots advantageously face the two opposite lateral friction surfaces of the brake disc. This design allows brake dust to be collected and discharged from both lateral friction surfaces of the brake disc via one suction slot each. In particular, an inflow direction of the suction slots coincides with a normal direction of the lateral friction surfaces of the brake disc, so that, in other words, the inflow direction runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake disc.In other designs, however, it is also possible for at least one of the suction slots to be angled relative to the normal direction of the brake disc's lateral friction surfaces with respect to its inflow direction. In particular, it can be advantageous if the inflow direction of the suction slot is inclined in or opposite to the brake disc's rotational direction, as this allows for better separation of any particles stirred up by the brake disc's friction surfaces.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the suction connection housing has two suction arms, each with a suction slot. Each suction arm forms a component of the suction connection housing with a suction slot accommodated therein. The two suction arms can differ in terms of their geometry. A first suction arm, for example, is straight, the second suction arm is angled, preferably with one or two angle graduations. The suction slots incorporated in the suction arms follow the geometry of the suction arms and are designed to be straight and angled accordingly, optionally also with two angle graduations. The suction arm sections between the angles are preferably straight, whereby the partial sections of the suction slot located in each suction arm section differ from one another in terms of their geometry and slot width.

[0016] The two suction arms can be arranged on a common pipe section, with which the suction slots in the suction arms are fluidly connected. Alternatively, the two suction arms can each be arranged on their own pipe section. The brake dust is guided from the suction slots to the common pipe section, which is connected to the discharge duct, so that the brake dust is guided from the pipe section into the discharge duct. The pipe section can be arranged parallel to the discharge duct. The suction arms, the pipe section, and the discharge duct are each part of the suction connection housing.

[0017] Each suction arm is connected to the discharge channel of the suction connection housing in such a way that the brake dust is transported from each suction slot in the associated suction arm to the discharge channel.

[0018] When installed, the drainage duct is located primarily on the radially outer side of the brake disc and overlaps the outer edge of the brake disc. The drainage duct has a basic U-shape, with an outwardly bent end section of the drainage duct located on one U-leg, via which the drainage duct can be connected to another flow-carrying component of the brake dust extraction system.

[0019] The invention also relates to a brake dust extraction device for a disc brake assembly, comprising a suction connection housing as described above and a filter element for collecting extracted brake dust. The brake dust extraction device may comprise a suction fan for generating an extraction air flow.

[0020] Finally, the invention relates to a disc brake arrangement with a brake dust extraction device as described above with a brake disc, wherein the suction connection housing is arranged adjacent to the brake disc in order to divert brake dust towards a filter element of the brake dust extraction device. Short description of the drawings

[0021] Further advantages and practical embodiments can be found in the further claims, the description of the figures, and the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disc brake assembly for a vehicle, with a suction connection housing adjacent to the brake disc as part of a brake dust extraction device, Fig. 2 a further perspective view of the disc brake arrangement, Fig. 3 in perspective view of the suction connection housing, Fig. 4 the suction connection housing from a different perspective, Fig. 5 the suction connection housing in a front view, Fig. 6 the suction connection housing in a view according to section line AA Fig. 5, Fig. 7 the suction connection housing in a view according to section line BB Fig. 5.

[0022] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0023] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a disc brake assembly 1, which is typically used in motor vehicles and is designed as a vehicle friction brake. The disc brake assembly 1 comprises a brake disc 2, a brake caliper holder 3, and a brake caliper 4, which supports brake pads that contact the brake disc 2 during a braking operation. The brake caliper 4 is floatingly mounted on the brake caliper holder 3, which is arranged, for example, on a wheel carrier. In principle, however, the invention is also applicable to so-called fixed-caliper brakes, which do not have a relatively movable brake caliper component, but instead comprise exclusively movable pistons. During a braking operation, brake dust is generated due to friction between the brake disc 2 and the brake pads.

[0024] The disc brake assembly 1 is provided with a brake dust extraction device 5, via which the brake dust accumulating on the brake disc 2 is extracted and collected in a filter element. The brake dust extraction device 5 comprises a suction connection housing 6, which is arranged adjacent to the brake disc 2, and a flow-guiding component 7 ( Fig. 2), which is connected to the suction connection housing 6 and through which the brake dust is fed to the filter element (not shown), which is also a component of the brake dust extraction device 5. Furthermore, the brake dust extraction device 5 can include a suction fan, via which an air flow that extracts the brake dust is generated in the suction connection housing 6 and in the flow-guiding component 7.

[0025] Like the Fig. 3 to 7 in conjunction with Fig. 1 and Fig.2, the suction connection housing 6 comprises two suction arms 8 and 9, which branch off from a common pipe section 10. The first suction arm 8 is straight, the second suction arm 9 is angled. The angled suction arm 9 has a first suction arm section 9a, which is arranged directly on the pipe section 10, a second suction arm section 9b, which extends at an angle of approximately 45° to the first suction arm section 9a, and a short end-side third suction arm section 9c, which has an outer beveled edge with an angle of approximately 20° to the second suction arm section 9b. The two suction arms 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another and encompass the brake disc 2 in the manner of a “U”, the bottom of which is formed by the pipe section 10 which overlaps the radial outer edge of the brake disc 2 and the legs of which are formed by the suction arms 8 and 9, which are, however, offset from one another by an angle of approximately 60°.

[0026] A suction slot 12 or 13 is incorporated into each suction arm 8, 9, through which the brake dust accumulating on the brake disc during braking is discharged. The suction slots 12 or 13 in the suction arms 8, 9 face each other and, in the installed position, are directed towards the respective lateral friction surface of the brake disc 2. The suction slots 12 and 13 extend over a large part of the length of the suction arms 8, 9 and are connected to the internal flow space in the pipe section 10, so that brake dust passes through the suction slots 12 and 13 into the pipe section 10 and from there into a discharge channel 11 of the brake dust extraction device 5, on which the pipe section 10 is arranged and with which the pipe section 10 is fluidly connected.The discharge channel 11 directs the brake dust via the flow-guiding component 7, to which an outwardly bent end section 11a of the discharge channel 11 is connected, further in the direction of the filter element of the brake dust extraction device 5. The discharge channel 11 also has a U-shape and, in the assembled state, encompasses the radial outer edge of the brake disc 2, wherein the end section 11a is bent outwards on one leg of the U-shape.

[0027] The suction slots 12 and 13 essentially follow the geometry of the suction arms 8, 9 and - relative to the axis of rotation of the brake disc 2 - have an extension component in the radial direction. The suction slots 12 and 13 have, at least in sections along their length, a variable slot width which widens radially from the outside to the inside relative to the overall length. The rectilinear suction slot 12 in the first, rectilinear suction arm 8 has, in a first, radially outer section, a slot width which only widens slightly radially from the outside to the inside. This is followed by a further section of the suction slot 12 in which the slot width widens more significantly. The first suction slot 12 has its greatest width at the radially inner end of the first suction arm 8.

[0028] The angled suction slot 13, corresponding to the suction arm sections 9a to 9c, also has three sections at an angle to one another. The first, radially outer section of the suction slot 13 in the suction arm section 9a has the smallest slot width, widening only slightly radially from the outside to the inside. The second, middle section of the suction slot 13 in the suction arm section 9b has a greater widening radially from the outside to the inside. The third, radially inner section of the suction slot 13 in the suction arm section 9c has a rectangular cross-sectional opening whose width corresponds to the maximum width in the previous section.

[0029] The enlargement of the slot width in the radially outer-to-inward direction of the suction slots 12, 13 represents a flow-optimized suction slot contour, which makes it possible to achieve a constant or almost constant suction performance in the suction slot along the suction slots 12, 13. The higher tangential velocity component of the brake disc 2 in the radially outer edge area corresponds to the smaller slot width of the suction slots 12, 13 in this section. In the radially inner area of ​​the brake disc 2, the tangential velocity component of the brake disc 2 is lower, which is compensated for by the larger slot width of the suction slots 12, 13.

Claims

[1] Suction connection housing for a brake dust extraction device for a disc brake arrangement, wherein the suction connection housing is designed for mounting adjacent to a brake disc of the disc brake arrangement, with at least one suction opening (12, 13) introduced into the suction connection housing (6), wherein the suction opening is designed as a suction slot (12, 13) which extends at least partially in the radial direction with respect to a brake disc rotation axis, characterized by that the suction slot (12, 13) has a variable slot width at least in sections along its length. [2] Suction connection housing according to claim 1, characterized by that the slot width of the suction slot (12, 13) widens radially from the outside to the inside along its length, at least in sections. [3] Suction connection housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat at least a partial section of the suction slot (12, 13) has a slot width that continuously widens radially from the outside to the inside. [4] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a radially inner end section of the suction slot (12, 13) has the largest slot width. [5] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the suction connection housing (6) has at least one suction arm (8, 9) into which the suction slot (12, 13) is introduced, and a discharge channel (11) connected to the suction arm or arms (8, 9) and fluidly connected to the suction slot (12, 13). [6] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat two separate and mutually spaced suction slots (12, 13) are arranged on different components (8, 9) of the suction connection housing (6), wherein the open sides of the suction slots (12, 13) face each other. [7] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the suction connection housing (6) has two suction arms (8, 9), in each of which a suction slot (12, 13) is introduced, wherein in particular the open sides of the suction slots (12, 13) in the suction arms (8, 9) face each other. [8] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the suction slot (12) is straight. [9] Suction connection housing according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the suction slot (13) has at least two sections at an angle to one another. [10] Brake dust extraction device for a disc brake arrangement with a suction connection housing (6) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and with a filter element for receiving extracted brake dust. [11] Disc brake arrangement with a brake dust extraction device according to claim 10 and with a brake disc (2), wherein the suction connection housing (6) is arranged adjacent to the brake disc (2) in order to divert brake dust towards a filter element of the brake dust extraction device.

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