BRAKE DISC INTENDED FOR A VEHICLE WHEEL

Abstract

A brake disc (16) intended for a vehicle wheel, said brake disc comprising: - a body extending around an axis (A) and having on a radially inner edge and / or on a radially outer edge (20) angularly distributed notches (28) separated from each other by notches (30), each having opposing radial walls (34a, 34b), - riders (32a, 32b) attached to said edge, said riders having support plates (33a, 33b) configured to face said radial walls, and lateral tabs (35) facing a lateral face (27) of one of said notches, and - fastening means (38, 39, 38', 39') passing through the holes formed in the lateral tabs and the notches, characterized in that The said means for attaching the riders comprise at least two attachment points oriented head-to-tail. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: BRAKE DISC FOR A VEHICLE WHEEL Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake disc for a vehicle wheel, such as an aircraft. The invention also relates to a brake for such a vehicle, in particular a brake for an aircraft landing gear. Technological background

[0002] Conventionally, a braking system, for example for a motor vehicle or aircraft landing gear, is an assembly enclosed within a rim and comprising, inside this rim, a multi-disc brake with several discs, generally made of a composite material containing carbon. The braking system comprises alternating fixed annular discs, which are connected to a hub by their inner edges, and rotating annular discs, which are rotationally connected to the rim by their outer edges. Generally, the fixed and rotating discs, stacked one after the other, are pressed against each other to create friction. For example, in aircraft landing gear, the discs are pressed by a series of hydraulic or electric pistons arranged substantially in a circle in contact with a thrust plate, through which an end disc exerts pressure on all the others.

[0003] Such a braking system is called a "heat sink" insofar as its function is to dissipate the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat (thermal energy).

[0004] To ensure connection to the hub or rim, each disc has a series of notches on its inner or outer edge that are regularly spaced at an angle. Between each pair of adjacent outer notches, a bar or tenon attached to the wheel transmits the rotational force from the wheel to the rotating disc. Between each pair of adjacent inner notches, a rib attached to the hub transmits the fixed force from the hub to the stationary disc.

[0005] The braking force applied to fixed and moving discs is significant. Therefore, the most stressed parts of the discs are protected by parts, called "sliders," which may be metallic, composite, or other, and consist of at least one piece, which are held in place on the discs by means of fastening means. These fastening means generally have a "head" and a "foot" and are conventionally always arranged in the same orientation, that is, all the heads on one side and all the feet on the other. A fastening means typically comprises a rivet having a shank, a head formed in a first end of the stem and a foot located at the second opposite end and intended to be crimped.

[0006] These jumpers can be subject to failures, which manifest themselves in particular by breaks or cracks that impact the lifespan of the discs. Furthermore, these failures prevent the use of the "heat sink" to its full potential.

[0007] These failures can be due to deformation of the caliper brackets. Indeed, it has been observed that when force is applied, the bracket moves laterally more significantly on one side—generally the head—of the fastening means than on the other. This displacement of the bracket is due to the asymmetry between the clearance between the fastening means and the bracket at the head, and the clearance between these same parts at the foot. In particular, for a rivet, the riveting operation generally results in an increase in the diameter of the shank on the foot side, which reduces the clearance between the shank and the bracket. Conversely, on the head side, the diameter of the shank remains unchanged. This asymmetry of clearance causes deformation of the bracket, which can lead to its failure under fatigue. This, in turn, impacts the service life of the brake disc.

[0008] Also, an objective of the invention is to provide a brake disc without at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to provide a brake disc with an improved lifespan. Summary of the invention

[0010] A brake disc intended for a vehicle wheel is proposed, the brake disc comprising: - an annular body extending around an axis, this annular body having on a radially internal edge and / or on a radially external edge a series of angularly distributed notches separated from each other by notches traversing axially the disc, each of the notches having first and second opposing radial walls, - riders attached to the edge, the riders having support plates, configured to face the radial walls of the notches, and lateral tabs facing a lateral face of a notch, these lateral tabs having first holes which are aligned with each other and with second holes formed in the notches, and - fastening means passing through said orifices of the side legs and notches, the fastening means of the riders comprising at least two fastening means oriented head-to-tail.

[0011] Thus, thanks to the invention, the lifespan of the brake disc is improved. Indeed, the head-to-tail arrangement of the fastening means allows for a better distribution of the deformation force due to the attachment of the brackets to the radially inner and / or radially outer edge of the discs. In this way, the asymmetrical movement of the bracket can be limited, or even eliminated.

[0012] In the present application, "head-to-head" means at least two fastening means which are positioned in opposite directions to each other.

[0013] The brake disc according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in combination with each other: - each lateral leg extends from one of the support plates; - each of the riders has at least one pair of lateral legs coming from either side of a notch; - each lateral leg includes at least two openings through which two fastening means are oriented head-to-tail; - the support plates are located at one end of the side legs; -the lateral legs are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to a plane passing through the support plate; - the means of fixing a first rider are oriented in a first given direction and the means of fixing a second rider are oriented in a second direction, opposite to the first given direction, the first and second riders being located on either side of a notch; - the means of fixing two riders, located on either side of a notch, are oriented head-to-tail in an alternating manner; - the means of fixing two riders, located on either side of a notch, are oriented head-to-tail symmetrically with respect to this notch; - two riders are connected to each other by a plate configured to cover a transverse edge joining the two radial walls of the notch; - the riders are independent of each other; - the fastening means are rivets which each comprise a first end forming a head and a second opposite end which is crimped, the first and second ends being connected to each other by a shank; - the fixing means are bolts which each include a screw and a nut; - the fixing means of the same rider are oriented head-to-tail.

[0014] The invention also relates to a brake for an aircraft landing gear, comprising at least one brake disc as described above.

[0015] The invention also relates to a brake for a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one brake disc as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Figure [1] represents a schematic front view of one embodiment of a brake disc according to the invention,

[0018] Figure [Fig. 2] represents a schematic perspective view of a detail of the brake disc of Figure [Fig. 1], in particular when the riders of a notch are independent of each other,

[0019] Figure 3 represents a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a brake disc according to the invention,

[0020] Figure [Fig. 4] represents a schematic perspective view of the riders of Figure [Fig. 3],

[0021] Figure 5 represents a schematic front view of a detail of a shape manufacturing of the brake disc according to the invention, in particular when the fastening means are oriented head-to-tail in an alternating manner,

[0022] Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of a detail of another embodiment of the brake disc according to the invention, in particular when the fastening means of two riders are oriented head-to-tail symmetrically to a notch,

[0023] Figure 7 shows a schematic front view of a detail of another embodiment of the brake disc according to the invention, in particular when the fastening means of a first rider are oriented head-to-tail with respect to the fastening means of a second rider of a notch,

[0024] Figure 8 represents a schematic front view of a detail of another embodiment of the brake disc according to the invention, in particular when a single rider is attached to one of the radial walls of the notch.

[0025] Figure 9 shows another view of Figure 2, in particular when the fastening means of the two riders are oriented head-to-tail symmetrically to a notch, and

[0026] Fig. 10 represents a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a brake for an aircraft landing gear comprising at least one brake disc of Fig. 1. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] With reference to Figures 1 to 10, the invention relates to a brake disc 14, 16 for a vehicle wheel. The brake disc 14, 16 may be a fixed disc 14 intended to be connected to a hub 11 or a rotating disc 16 intended to be rotationally connected to a rim 12. The fixed disc 14 and rotating disc 16 are similar and are referred to as brake disc 14, 16 in the following. The brake disc 14, 16 comprises an annular body, riders 32a, 32b, and fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' for attaching the riders 32a, 32b to the annular body of the disc 14, 16.

[0028] Figures 1 to 3 relate to the particular case of a rotating brake disc 16 for which the notches 28 are arranged on the radially external edge 20 of the disc 16. The following can be applied for notches 26 located on a radially internal edge 18.

[0029] The annular body of the disk extends around an axis A and has, on a radially internal edge 18 and / or on a radially external edge 20, a series of angularly distributed notches 26, 28 separated from each other by notches 30 traversing axially the disk 14, 16. Each notch 30 has opposing first and second radial walls 34a, 34b. The notch 30 further has a transverse edge 36 joining the two radial walls 34a, 34b.

[0030] The notches 26, 28 are regularly spaced at an angle and serve to provide a connection between a disc 14, 16 and a hub or rim, as described later with reference to [Fig. 10]. The notches 26, 28 have, in the vicinity of each notch, one or more second through-holes (not shown).

[0031] The riders 32a, 32b are attached and fixed to the radially internal edge 18 and / or to the radially external edge 20. The riders 32a, 32b have support plates 33a, 33b configured to face the radial walls 34a, 34b of the notches 30. The riders 32a, 32b also have lateral tabs 35 which are applied to lateral faces 27 of the notches 26, 28. These lateral tabs 35 have first through holes 42 which are aligned with each other and with the second holes formed in the notches 26, 28.

[0032] The lateral legs 35 can each extend from one of the support plates 32a, 32b.

[0033] The fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' pass through the first holes 42 of the tabs 35 and through the second holes (not shown) of the notches 26, 28. It is understood that the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' are axially oriented, that is, substantially parallel to the axis A. It is also understood that the first and second holes are axially oriented. The fastening means 38 and 39 are associated with the bracket 32a and the fastening means 38' and 39' are associated with the bracket 32b. The fastening means 38 passes through the first holes 42 and the second hole located closest to the notch 30, while the fastening means 39 passes through the first holes 42 and the second hole located further away from the notch 30.Symmetrically, the fastening means 38' passes through the first holes 42 and the second hole located closest to the notch 30, while the fastening means 39' passes through the first holes 42 and the second hole located further away from the notch 30.

[0034] The fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' of each of the riders 32a, 32b comprise at least two fastening means oriented head-to-tail.

[0035] The term "head-to-tail" means at least two means of fastening which are positioned in opposite directions to each other.

[0036] Each of the riders 32a, 32b may have at least one pair of lateral tabs 35. In the examples illustrated in the figures, a notch 26, 28 is inserted between each pair of lateral tabs 35.

[0037] Each lateral leg 35 or each pair of lateral legs 35 may include at least two orifices 42 through which two fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' are oriented head-to-tail.

[0038] Advantageously, each of the support plates 33a, 33b is located between two lateral legs 35. Each of the support plates 33a, 33b is then connected to each of these legs 35. Each leg 35 of a pair of legs extends circumferentially from one of the support plates 33a, 33b.

[0039] Advantageously, the lateral legs 35 are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to a plane passing through the support plate 33a, 33b. In this way, for a rider 32a, 32b, the lateral legs 35 define a space into which a notch 26, 28 is inserted.

[0040] Advantageously, the support plates 33a, 33b are located at one end of the lateral legs 35. In this way, a rider 32a, 32b can take a U-shaped form, as seen in [Fig.2].

[0041] Each brake disc 14, 16 can be made of a carbon-based composite material.

[0042] The fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' may be rivets which include Each has a first end T38, T39, T38', T39' forming a head and a second opposite end P38, P39, P38', P39' which is crimped. The first and second ends are connected by a stem. It is clear that such a fastening method does not exhibit symmetry between its two ends.

[0043] Alternatively, the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' can be bolts, each comprising a screw and a nut. Each screw has a first end T38, T39, T38', T39' forming a screw head and a second opposite end P38, P39, P38', P39' through which the nut is mounted. It is understood that such a fastening means, as with the rivet, does not have symmetry between its two ends.

[0044] More generally, "fastening means" refers to any type of mechanical part or assembly of mechanical parts, and in particular any type of mechanical part or assembly of mechanical parts introducing an asymmetry in the contact with the two lateral tabs 35. This may include screws fitted to the holes or expandable rivets, for example.

[0045] With reference to [Fig.2], the riders 32a, 32b of a notch can be independent of each other.

[0046] We now turn to Figures 3 and 4, which illustrate a particular form of the riders 32a, 32b. In this embodiment, two riders 32a, 32b are connected by a plate 40 to form an assembly 32, also called a double rider. In such a case, the assembly 32, or double rider, has two pairs of lateral tabs 35. This double rider 32 can have an overall H-shaped form. The plate 40 is advantageously configured to cover the transverse edge 36 joining the two radial walls 34a, 34b of the notch 30. This improves the retention of the riders 32a, 32b, and therefore of the double rider 32, on the disc 14, 16, and also protects this transverse edge 36.

[0047] Figures 5 to 7 show various head-to-tail arrangements of the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' through the riders 32a, 32b and the notches 28 on the radially outer edge 20 of a brake disc 16. In particular, Figures 5 to 7 illustrate embodiments where the riders 32a, 32b are as described above and connected to each other by a plate 40. In other words, Figures 5 to 7 illustrate double riders 32. In such a case, at least one first fastening means 38, a second fastening means 39, a third fastening means 38' and a fourth fastening means 39' are identified. It is then understood that the first 38, second 39, third 38' and fourth 39' means of fixing are mounted through the corresponding holes of the lateral tabs 35 and the notches 26, 28.

[0048] With reference to [Fig. 5], the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' of two riders 32a, 32b, located on either side of one of the notches 30, can be oriented head-to-tail alternately. In other words, considering at least two consecutive riders 32a, 32b on the radially outer edge 20 of the brake disc 16, the first fastening means 38 and the fourth fastening means 39' are oriented in the same first direction, while the second fastening means 39 and the third fastening means 38' are oriented in the same second direction, opposite to the first direction.

[0049] With reference to [Fig.6], the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' of two riders 32a, 32b, located on either side of one of the notches 30, can be oriented head-to-tail symmetrically with respect to this notch 30. In other words, the first and third fastening means 38, 38' are located closest to a radial wall 34a, 34b of the notch 30 and are oriented in a first given direction, while the second and fourth fastening means 39, 39' are oriented in a second direction, opposite to the first given direction.

[0050] For example, with regard to the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' are rivets, the first and third fastening means 38, 38' each have a first end T38, T38' forming a head. Each first end T38, T38' is located next to the second end P39, P39' of one of the second and fourth fixing means 39, 39', this second end P39, P39' being crimped.

[0051] In particular, for the embodiment of [Fig.5], the first ends T39, T38' of the second and third fixing means 39, 38' are found on the same side of the brake disc 16 while the first ends T38, T39' of the first and fourth fixing means 38, 39' are found on the other side of the brake disc 16.

[0052] For the embodiment of [Fig.6], the first ends T38, T38' of the first and third fixing means 38, 38' are found on the same side of the brake disc 16 while the first ends T39, T39' of the second and fourth fixing means 39, 39' are found on the other side of the brake disc 16.

[0053] With reference to [Fig. 7], the fastening means 38, 39 of a first rider 32a can be oriented in a given first direction, while the fastening means 38', 39' of a second rider 32b are oriented in a second direction, opposite to the first given direction. In other words, considering two consecutive riders 32a, 32b on the radially outer edge 20 of the brake disc 16, the fastening means of the same rider are oriented in the same direction but in the opposite direction to the fastening means of the following rider.

[0054] For example, in relation to this embodiment of [Fig.7], when the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' are rivets, the first ends T38, T39 of the first and second fastening means 38, 39 are found on the same side of the brake disc 16 while the first ends T38', T39' of the third and fourth fastening means 38', 39' are found on the other side of the brake disc 16.

[0055] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate embodiments in which the riders are not connected to each other by a plate 40.

[0056] With reference to [Fig. 8], a single bracket 32a, 32b is attached to one of the radial walls 34a, 34b of a notch 30. In other words, there is no bracket 32a, 32b attached to the opposite radial wall. The fastening means 38, 38', 39, 39' are arranged end-to-end through the lateral tabs 35 and the notch 28 on which the bracket 32a, 32b is attached. In other words, for a given fastening means 38, 38', the first end T38, T38' is located on the same side of the brake disc 16 as the second end P39, P39' of the other fastening means 39, 39'. Conversely, the second end P38, P38' of a fastening means 38, 38' is found on the same side of the brake disc 16 as the first end T39, T39' of the other fastening means 39, 39'.

[0057] With reference to [Fig. 9], which is similar to the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the riders 32a, 32b located on either side of the notch 30 are independent of each other. on the other. In the example of [Fig.9], the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' of the riders 32a, 32b, located on either side of the notch 30, are oriented head-to-tail symmetrically with respect to the notch 30. In other words, the arrangement of the fastening means is similar to the arrangement described previously for [Fig.6].

[0058] Alternatively, not shown, the fastening means 38, 39, 38', 39' of two independent riders 32a, 32b, located on either side of one of the notches 30, can be oriented head-to-tail alternately. In other words, the arrangement of the fastening means is similar to the arrangement described previously for [Fig. 5].

[0059] The riders 32a, 32b may be made of a material chosen, without limitation, from a metallic, composite or other material.

[0060] The invention also relates to a brake 10 for an aircraft landing gear comprising at least one brake disc 14, 16 as described above. This brake 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0061] A brake 10 for an aircraft landing gear, also known as a "heat sink", is, in a known manner, an assembly enclosed in a rim 12 of the landing gear, the trace of which is schematically represented by dotted lines on [Fig. 10].

[0062] Such a brake 10 is a multi-disc brake having several brake discs 14, 16 with axis A. The discs 14, 16 are as described previously. The brake 10 comprises, for example, an alternation of fixed annular discs 14 which are connected to a landing gear hub 11 by their radially internal edges 18 and rotating discs 16 which are rotationally connected to the rim 12 by their radially external edges 20. The fixed discs 14 and rotating discs 16, stacked one after the other, can be pressed against each other, as shown in the example of [Fig. 10], via an annular thrust plate 24 by a series of hydraulic pistons 22 which are arranged in a circle in contact with an end fixed disc 14.

[0063] Thus, thanks to the invention, the lifespan of the brake disc is improved. Indeed, the head-to-tail arrangement of the fastening means allows for a better distribution of the deformation force due to the attachment of the added brackets fixed to the radially inner and / or radially outer edge of the discs. In this way, the deformation of the brackets is symmetrical and more homogeneous, allowing for a reduction in the areas under load.

Claims

Demands

1. A brake disc (14, 16) for a vehicle wheel, said brake disc comprising: - an annular body extending about an axis (A), said annular body having on a radially inner edge (18) and / or on a radially outer edge (20) a series of angularly distributed notches (26, 28) separated from each other by notches (30) axially traversing said disc (14, 16), each of said notches having opposing first and second radial walls (34a, 34b), - riders (32a, 32b) attached to said edge (18, 20), said riders having support plates (33a, 33b) configured to face the radial walls of the notches, and lateral tabs (35) facing a lateral face (27) of one of said notches (26, 28), said lateral tabs having first orifices (42) which are aligned with each other and with second orifices formed in the notches, and - fastening means (38, 39, 38',39') passing through said openings of the lateral legs (35) and notches (26, 28), characterized in that said fastening means (38, 39, 38', 39') of the riders comprise at least two fastening means oriented head-to-tail.

2. Brake disc (14, 16) according to claim 1, wherein the lateral tabs each extend from one of said support plates (32a, 32b).

3. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the riders (32a, 32b) has at least one pair of lateral tabs (35) coming from either side of a notch (26, 28).

4. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which each lateral tab comprises at least two orifices (42) through which two head-to-tail oriented fastening means (38, 39, 38', 39') are passed.

5. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening means (38, 39) of a first rider (32a) are oriented in a given first direction and the fastening means (38', 39') of a second rider (32b) are oriented in a second meaning, opposite to the said first meaning, the said first and second riders being situated on either side of a notch (30).

6. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fixing means (38, 39, 38', 39') of two riders (32a, 32b), located on either side of a notch (30), are oriented head-to-tail in an alternating manner.

7. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing means (38, 39, 38', 39') of two riders (32a, 32b), located on either side of a notch (30), are oriented head-to-tail symmetrically with respect to this notch (30).

8. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which two riders (32a, 32b) are connected to each other by a pad (40) configured to cover a transverse edge (36) joining the two radial walls (34a, 34b) of the notch (30).

9. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastening means (38, 39, 38', 39') are rivets which each comprise a first end (T38, T39, T38', T39') forming a head and an opposite second end (P38, P39, P38', P39') which is crimped, the first and second ends being connected to each other by a shank.

10. Brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fastening means (38, 39, 38', 39') are bolts each comprising a screw and a nut.

11. Brake (10) for an aircraft landing gear, comprising at least one brake disc (14, 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images