Braking system comprising a brake disc radially decoupled from its outer support
The disc braking device with a radially decoupled brake disc and support ring addresses thermal deformation issues, ensuring consistent performance and improved cooling, thus stabilizing brake pad operation and enhancing wheel motor functionality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023014622
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-20
AI Technical Summary
Conventional disc braking devices suffer from thermal stress-induced deformations leading to uneven wear and warping, which affect brake pad operation and can alter the performance of wheel motors, particularly those with permanent magnets.
A disc braking device with a radially decoupled brake disc and an external support ring, allowing free radial thermal deformation while maintaining circumferential and axial bonding, enhanced by a ventilated design with ribs and notches for improved cooling and ventilation.
The solution ensures consistent brake disc behavior under thermomechanical stress, reduces weight, and improves cooling, thereby minimizing operational issues and enhancing the performance of wheel motors.
Smart Images
Figure 00000007_0000 
Figure 00000008_0000 
Figure 00000009_0000
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Braking device comprising a brake disc radially decoupled from its outer support. Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to a disc braking device.
[0002] The invention also relates to a wheel motor equipped with such a braking device and to a motor vehicle equipped with such a wheel motor or such a braking device. Previous techniques
[0003] Conventional disc braking devices are subject to deformations due to thermal stresses, which can lead to operational problems, such as uneven wear of the brake pads and warping of the brake disc.
[0004] Moreover, when a conventional braking device is associated with a wheel motor, deformations due to thermal stresses can alter the operation of the wheel motor, which is very sensitive to differential deformations, particularly due to the presence of permanent magnets. Description of the invention
[0005] To remedy the problems posed by the state of the art, the invention aims to propose a disc braking device which allows free radial thermal deformations of the disc.
[0006] The invention relates to a braking device comprising an annular brake disc and an external support ring coaxial with the brake disc and fixed securely to a lateral support.
[0007] The support ring comprises a set of connecting elements arranged around a circumference of the support ring and extending in a radial direction. Each connecting element is fixed rigidly to the support ring and is housed in an associated cavity of complementary shape formed radially within the brake disc. Each connecting element can slide within the associated cavity.
[0008] Such a configuration allows free radial thermal deformation of the brake disc, while ensuring circumferential and axial bonding between the brake disc and the support ring.
[0009] Preferably, the brake disc is of the ventilated type and comprises a first and a second opposed and coaxial annular plate, each comprising on an internal surface a plurality of ribs spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and extending radially from an external surface of each plate, the ribs of the first plate being arranged opposite the ribs of the second plate and together forming the cavities housing the connecting elements.
[0010] Such a brake disc benefits from improved cooling thanks to the increased heat exchange surface area. Furthermore, this configuration promotes consistent brake disc behavior under thermomechanical stresses.
[0011] Advantageously, the support ring is axially offset on the side of said lateral support relative to the brake disc. Such a configuration facilitates the manufacture of the braking device.
[0012] According to an advantageous feature, the support ring is provided on a first front face with a first group of notches spaced circumferentially apart and arranged axially on the side of the brake disc. Such a support ring benefits from reduced weight while improving disc ventilation.
[0013] According to another advantageous feature, the support ring is provided on a second front face with a second group of notches spaced circumferentially apart and arranged axially on the side of said lateral support. Such a support ring further improves the weight of the ring and the ventilation of the disk.
[0014] For example, the connecting elements each include an anchoring portion overmolded with the support ring. This feature simplifies manufacturing and ensures a secure attachment between the connecting elements and the support ring.
[0015] Preferably, the connecting elements each comprise a radial protrusion such as a rod or tube intended to be housed in the cavities. Such connecting elements facilitate manufacturing.
[0016] According to another feature, the braking device further comprises a brake caliper attacking the brake disc from an inner side of the disc, and brake pads interposed between the caliper and the brake disc.
[0017] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a wheel motor for a motor vehicle equipped with a braking device as described above, in which the lateral support is a rotor of the wheel motor.
[0018] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one braking device as described above or comprising at least one wheel motor as described above. Brief description of the drawings
[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made in reference to the attached drawings on which:
[0020] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a wheel motor equipped with a device braking according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along axis II-II of [Fig.1]; and
[0022] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along axis III-III of [Fig.2]. Detailed description of at least one embodiment
[0023] Figures 1 to 3 show an in-wheel motor for an electrically driven motor vehicle. An in-wheel motor is an assembly that incorporates an electric traction motor capable of propelling a vehicle.
[0024] The wheel motor includes a braking device comprising an annular brake disc 1 and an external support ring 2 coaxial with the brake disc 1.
[0025] The outer support ring 2 is fixed rigidly to a lateral support 3 and is connected to the brake disc 1. The lateral support 3 is here a rotor 4 of the wheel motor 5. In an embodiment not illustrated, the lateral support 3 can be a wheel rim.
[0026] The lateral support 3 is coaxial with the brake disc 1 and has an annular outer surface 3b arranged radially at the same level as an outer surface 2c of the support ring 2. In other words, the outer surface 3b of the lateral support 3 is radially external to the brake disc 1 and the brake disc 1 is supported externally, via the support ring 2.
[0027] The support ring 2 is connected to the brake disc 1 by means of several connecting elements 6 arranged around a circumference of the support ring 2 and extending in a radial direction. Each connecting element 6 is fixed rigidly to the support ring 2 and is housed in an associated cavity 7, particularly visible in [Fig. 3], so as to be able to slide within it. Each connecting element 6 comprises an anchoring portion 6a embedded in the support ring 2 and a protrusion 6b integral with the anchoring portion 6a and extending radially towards the brake disc 1. Each cavity 7 has a shape complementary to that of the radial protrusion 6b of the associated connecting element 6 and is formed radially inside the brake disc 1.
[0028] Preferably, the anchoring portions 6a of the connecting elements 6 are overmolded with the support ring 1, so as to ensure their fixed attachment. The radial protrusions 6b of the connecting elements 6 comprise rods or tubes intended to be housed in the cavities 7.
[0029] The braking device further comprises a brake caliper 8 attacking the brake disc 1 from an inner side of the disc 1, and brake pads 9 interposed between the brake caliper 8 and the brake disc 1.
[0030] The brake disc here is of the ventilated type. Alternatively, it remains possible that the brake disc either solid and / or in one piece.
[0031] As particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2, the brake disc 1 comprises a first and a second annular plate la, 1b, which are opposed and coaxial. The first annular plate la comprises an internal surface 10a disposed opposite an internal surface 10b of the second annular plate 1b. Each annular plate la, 1b comprises on its internal surface 10a, 10b a plurality of ribs lia, 11b spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and extending radially from an external surface of each plate.
[0032] The ribs 1la of the first plate la are arranged opposite the ribs 11b of the second plate 1b. The ribs lia and 11b together form the cavities 7 housing the connecting elements 6.
[0033] To facilitate fixing, the support ring 2 is axially offset on the side of the lateral support 3, relative to the brake disc 1. The support ring 2 includes a second front face 2a which is in axial contact with a front face 3a of the lateral support 3. The support ring 2 is fixed rigidly to the lateral support 3 by means of fixing means 12 such as screws or bolts.
[0034] The support ring 2 also includes a first front face 2b opposite the second front face 2a. The two front faces 2a and 2b define the axial thickness of the support ring 2.
[0035] The support ring 2 is provided on its first front face 2b with a first group of notches 13 spaced circumferentially apart. The notches 13 are arranged axially on the side of the brake disc, so as to promote its ventilation. Preferably, the notches 13 allow air to pass to and from the inside of the brake disc 1.
[0036] The support ring 2 is provided here on the second front face 2a with a second group of notches 14 spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The notches 14 are arranged axially on the side of the lateral support.
[0037] Alternatively, it remains possible not to provide notches 13 and / or notches 14.
Claims
Demands
1. Braking device comprising an annular brake disc (1) and an external support ring (2) coaxial with the brake disc (1) and fixed rigidly to a lateral support (3), said braking device being characterized in that the support ring (2) has a set of connecting elements (6) arranged on a circumference of the support ring (2) and extending in a radial direction, each connecting element (6) being fixed rigidly to the support ring (2) and being housed in an associated cavity (7) of complementary shape formed radially inside the brake disc (1), each connecting element (6) being able to slide in the associated cavity (7).
2. Braking device according to claim 1, wherein the brake disc (1) is of the ventilated type and comprises a first and a second annular plates (la, 1b) opposed and coaxial each comprising on an internal surface (10a, 10b) a plurality of ribs (lia, 11b) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and extending radially from an external surface of each plate (la, 1b), the ribs (1la) of the first plate (la) being arranged opposite the ribs (11b) of the second plate (1b) and together forming the cavities (7) housing the connecting elements (6).
3. Braking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support ring (2) is axially offset on the side of said lateral support (3) relative to the brake disc (1).
4. Braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support ring (2) is provided on a first front face (2b) with a first group of notches (13) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and arranged axially on the side of the brake disc (1).
5. Braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support ring is provided on a second front face (2a) with a second group of notches (14) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and arranged axially on the side of said lateral support (3).
6. Braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting elements (6) each comprise an anchoring part (6a) overmolded with the support ring (2).
7. Braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting elements (6) each comprise a radial protrusion (6b), such as a rod or tube, intended to be housed in the cavities (7).
8. Braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a brake caliper (8) attacking the brake disc (1) by an inner side of the disc (1), and brake pads (9) interposed between said caliper (8) and the brake disc (1).
9. Wheel motor for motor vehicle equipped with a braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lateral support (3) is a rotor of the wheel motor.
10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or comprising at least one wheel motor according to claim 9.