Friction Brake Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a friction brake device comprising a caliper (12) and at least one pad (36) translatable along an axis relative to the caliper (12), the pad (36) intended to cooperate with a brake disc, the pad (36) including at least one particle suction area (48) including a suction port (50), the device (10) further comprising a suction tube (90) attached to the caliper (12), the caliper (12) being sealingly supported by the pad (36) opposite the suction port (50) of the pad (36) and including a suction port (80) connecting the suction tube (90) with the particle suction area (48) of a second pad (36).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of friction braking devices.

[0002] The present invention relates to a friction brake device designed to be mounted on stationary rotor machines such as, for example, road and rail vehicles, as well as wind turbines and industrial machines. [Background technology]

[0003] Such a braking device is disclosed in particular in the patent application WO 2007 / 024494 filed in the name of the applicant. This braking device conventionally comprises a so-called floating caliper designed to be mounted on a fixed caliper support and two pads mounted on either side of a brake disc, which is fixed, for example, to a vehicle wheel or a rotor of a stationary machine. The device in particular comprises a so-called inner pad, displaced in translation by a piston and designed to be supported by a first surface of the disc, and a so-called outer pad, designed to be supported by a second surface of the disc opposite the first surface. The piston includes a portion subjected to the pressure of a hydraulic fluid, e.g., oil, acting in a pressure chamber. An increase in pressure in the chamber causes an axial displacement of the piston relative to the caliper, thus pushing the inner pad back against the first surface of the disc. At the same time, the rear of the floating caliper pushes the outer pad back against the second surface of the disc. The disc is therefore braked by a resisting torque due to the friction of the pads on their corresponding surfaces.

[0004] As the pressure in the chamber decreases, the piston retracts, displacing the floating caliper and releasing the pads, which may come off the disc as the disc rotates due to slight distortions that naturally exist in the disc.

[0005] Each pad includes a shoe and a friction lining. The lining is designed to contact the disc and gradually wears down over time due to abrasion. Wear of the lining generates harmful particles and dust. To limit the release of such particles, it is known to provide a means to allow the released particles to be collected and vacuumed. To achieve this, each pad includes a groove formed in the lining and located near the side edge of the pad, and a suction port that communicates with the groove and axially leads to the shoe on the opposite side of the groove. A suction tube allows each suction port to be connected to a vacuum and filtering device.

[0006] To limit particle release outside the device, it is necessary to seal the connection between each suction tube and each suction port of the pad. In the case of an inner pad, the corresponding suction tube can be directly and sealed by the suction port. However, in the case of an outer pad, the rear part of the piston is thick, which makes it difficult to directly and sealedly support the suction tube to the suction port of the outer pad. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] French Patent No. 3057040 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-192268 [Patent Document 3] French Patent Application Publication No. 3069832 [Patent Document 4] DE 4240873 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As a result, a solution needs to be found for sealing the connection between the outer pad and the respective suction tube.

[0009] The present disclosure improves the situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To this end, the invention proposes a friction brake device comprising a caliper and at least one pad translatable along an axis relative to the caliper, said pad intended to cooperate with a brake disc, said pad comprising at least one particle suction area with a suction port, the device further comprising a suction tube attached to the caliper, the caliper comprising a suction port that can be sealingly supported by said pad opposite the suction port of the pad, so as to connect said suction tube with the particle suction area of ​​a second pad.

[0011] In this way, a seal is provided between the suction port of the caliper and the suction port of the pad, ensuring a seal between the suction pipe and the pad, which limits the number of parts in the braking system.

[0012] It should be noted that the suction port of the caliper may be sealingly supported by the suction port of the second pad during braking, i.e., when the pad is pressed against the disc. Particles are generated, and as a result, they must be sucked out during these braking phases. Therefore, a seal must be ensured between the suction tube and the suction port of the pad during these phases as well.

[0013] Such a seal is always ensured outside the braking phase, which makes it possible to suck in particles immediately after the braking phase, at least during the so-called cleaning phase after braking.

[0014] The suction tube may include a first end attached directly or indirectly to the caliper and a second end designed to be connected to a suction and filtering device. Note that by attaching the suction tube to the caliper, the suction tube is prevented from exerting a force on the pad. More specifically, rather than attaching the suction tube directly to the pad, a suction port is provided in the caliper through which particles generated during braking are sucked in by the suction tube.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the suction ports of the pads can have a diameter smaller than that of the suction ports of the caliper, thus ensuring that the maximum number of particles released during the interaction between the pads and the brake disc are sucked in by the suction pipe. More specifically, if the diameter of the suction ports of the caliper is the same as or smaller than that of the suction ports of the pads, there is a high risk of particles accumulating at the interface between the two suction ports.

[0016] According to one aspect, the first end of the suction port of the caliper can include a generally annular shoulder configured to receive the suction tube.

[0017] This improves the seal between the caliper and the suction pipe, as the suction pipe is partially introduced into the suction port of the caliper, which limits the risk of particles being released towards the outside of the braking system at the interface between the caliper and the suction pipe.

[0018] The first end corresponds specifically to the end of the caliper suction port opposite the pad. This shoulder increases the diameter of the caliper suction port at the first end. This allows the suction tube to be accommodated within the caliper suction port while ensuring that the diameter of the suction tube's flow passage through which particles flow is equal to or greater than the diameter of the caliper suction port. This limits the risk of particle accumulation at the interface between the caliper suction port and the suction tube.

[0019] The suction tube may in particular be received in a clamped or snap-fit ​​manner on said shoulder.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the suction pipe is in the continuation of the floating casting of the caliper. In particular, the second suction pipe can be made integral with the floating casting of the caliper.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the suction tube can be attached to the caliper by at least one detachable coupling member, so that the suction tube can be easily replaced if worn. For example, the suction tube can be attached to the caliper by a screw.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the pad suction port can be included in a first surface of the pad, the first surface of the pad being metallic and sealingly supported by a first metal surface of the caliper through which the caliper suction port communicates, thus ensuring a metal-to-metal seal between the pad and the caliper.

[0023] According to one example, the caliper is a floating caliper that is axially movable relative to the caliper support, and the device comprises a first pad called the inner pad and a second pad called the outer pad, the first pad being directly actuated by a piston and the second pad being directly actuated by the rear of the floating caliper, a first suction tube connectable to the particle suction area of ​​the first pad and a second suction tube connectable to the particle suction area of ​​the second pad, and each of the particle suction areas of the first pad and the second pad is provided with a suction port.

[0024] In this configuration with a floating caliper, a single piston allows the floating caliper to simultaneously actuate the first pad directly and the second pad indirectly, with particles released from each pad being sucked up by a dedicated suction line.

[0025] In this case, the second pad corresponds to the pad that seals and supports the suction port of the caliper, as described above.

[0026] The present specification also relates to a braking system including a brake disc and a friction brake device of the type described above.

[0027] The present specification also relates to a vehicle equipped with a braking system of the type described above.

[0028] The present specification also relates to a stationary rotor machine equipped with a braking system of the type described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a friction brake device according to an exemplary embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the friction brake device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the friction brake device of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the friction brake device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a pad of the friction brake device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Further features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and examining the accompanying drawings.

[0031] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a friction brake device 10. Device 10 can be used in braking systems such as road or rail vehicles, but also in stationary rotor machines such as wind turbines or industrial machines.

[0032] The friction brake device 10 includes a caliper 12. In Figures 1 to 5, the caliper 12 is a floating caliper that can be translated relative to a caliper support (not shown) to which it is attached.

[0033] The caliper 12 is composed of a fixed portion 13A and a floating cast portion 13B shown in FIG.

[0034] The device 10 further comprises a piston 14 attached to the caliper 12. The piston 14 may include a portion subjected to the pressure of a hydraulic fluid, e.g., oil, operating within a pressure chamber. An increase in pressure within the chamber displaces the piston 14 in an axial direction A relative to the caliper. "Axial direction" or "axially" will hereinafter be understood to mean generally parallel to the direction A.

[0035] A first pad 16, also referred to as an inner pad, is provided within the device 10. In particular, the pad 16 may be disposed within a housing 17 (shown in FIG. 4) provided at a front portion 19 of the caliper 12. The pad 16 may be mounted, for example, axially opposite the piston 14. In particular, as seen in FIG. 4, the pad 16 may be in contact with the piston 14. As will be described below, the pad 16 is configured to cooperate with a brake disc (not shown).

[0036] The first pad 16 includes a shoe 18 (also called a “backing plate”) and a lining 20 .

[0037] The shoe 18 includes an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 24 that are axially opposed to one another. The outer surface 22 is supported by the piston 14 and / or the caliper 12.

[0038] The thickness of the shoe 18 is, for example, 3 mm to 5 mm. "Shoe thickness" is understood in this case to mean the dimension of the shoe 18 in the axial direction A.

[0039] The shoe 18 is preferably made of a metallic material.

[0040] The lining 20 is attached to the inner surface 24 of the shoe 18. The lining 20 is made of a friction material commonly known as "Ferodo."

[0041] The lining 20 includes a friction surface 26 axially opposed to a surface of the lining 20 attached to the shoe 18. The friction surface 26 is designed to be axially supported by a first surface of a brake disc that rotates about an axis generally parallel to the axial direction A during the braking phase. In particular, when the piston 14 is displaced in the direction A toward the brake disc, the friction surface 26 is supported by the first surface of the brake disc.

[0042] When the friction surface 26 is supported by the brake disc during the braking phase, the lining 20 and the disc release particles resulting from wear, which causes wear of the lining 20 and the disc. Thus, the thickness (i.e., axial dimension) of the lining 20 gradually decreases during the useful life of the pad 16.

[0043] 4, the pad 16 includes a particle suction region 28. The particle suction region 28 includes a suction port 30 formed by a first cavity 32 disposed in the shoe 18 and a groove 34 disposed in the lining 20. The suction port extends, for example, in a generally axial direction.

[0044] The first cavity 32 penetrates the shoe 18 between the outer surface 22 and the inner surface 24 of the shoe 18, which faces at least a portion of the groove 34 in the lining 20. The groove 34 extends axially between the friction surface 26 and the second surface of the lining 20. In other words, the depth of the groove 34 is equal to the thickness of the lining 20. Particles released by wear are collected in the groove 34 and are sucked through the cavity 32 in the shoe 18.

[0045] A first suction tube 60 is provided to suck up particles collected in the groove 34. The first suction tube 60 has a first end 62 and a second end 63 opposite to each other.

[0046] The first end 62 can be sealingly supported directly or indirectly against the first pad 16, as shown in particular in Figure 5. Advantageously, the end 62 can be sealingly supported opposite the suction port 30 of the pad 16. The first suction conduit 60 is thus connected to the particle suction area 28 of the pad 16. This limits the risk of particles formed by wear between the pad 16 and the disc being released to the outside when the pad 16 and the disc are in contact with each other.

[0047] Advantageously, the end 62 of the first suction conduit 60 is sealingly supported by the pad 16 during the braking phase. More specifically, as explained above, during the braking phase the pad 16 is axially supported by the brake disc, and therefore particles are formed by wear.

[0048] Outside the braking phase, at least during the cleaning phase immediately following the braking phase, a seal is ensured between the first suction conduit 60 and the pad 16, which allows particles to be sucked in after braking.

[0049] The second end 63 of the first suction pipe 60 is designed to be connected to suction means (not shown), such as a suction filter device, which is configured to suck particles formed by wear of the pads 16 and the brake disc when they come into contact with each other.

[0050] In the illustrated non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first suction pipe 60 is attached to the piston 14. Therefore, since the first suction pipe 60 is attached to the piston 14 and not to the pad 16, the first suction pipe 60 does not exert any axial force on the pad 16. This avoids a situation where the pad 16 approaches or separates from the brake disc in an uncontrolled manner, reduces the risk of premature wear of the pad 16, and allows the braking torque to be controlled in a more comprehensive manner.

[0051] When the first suction tube 60 is attached to the piston, a first end 62 of the first suction tube 60 can be sealingly supported by the pad 16 opposite the suction port 30, thereby connecting the first suction tube 60 with the particle suction region 28 of the pad 16.

[0052] The first suction tube 60 may be attached directly to the piston 14. For example, the first suction tube 60 may be made of the same material as the piston 14.

[0053] Alternatively, the first suction tube 60 can be indirectly attached to the piston 14, for example via an attachment 74. The attachment 74 is a support attached to the piston 14, for example by screwing, riveting, welding, etc.

[0054] The end 62 of the first suction tube 60 is fixed to a support 74. The support 74 may include a port (not shown) located on the opposite side of the end 62 of the first suction tube 60. This allows the support 74 to be supported in close contact with the pad 16 such that the suction port 30 of the pad 16 and the port of the support 74 face each other.

[0055] Alternatively, although not shown, the first suction conduit 60 can be attached directly to the pad 16. As noted above, the end 62 of the first suction conduit 60 can be sealingly supported by the first pad 12 opposite the suction port 30, thereby connecting the first suction conduit 60 with the suction region 30 of the pad 16.

[0056] As can be seen, the caliper may also include an L-shaped extending arm 78 that allows the first suction tube 60 to be attached to the caliper 12 .

[0057] A second pad 36, also referred to as an outer pad, is provided within the device 10. The second pad 36 may be disposed within a housing 37 provided at the rear 39 of the caliper 12. As can be seen from the figures, and particularly from FIG. 4, the second pad 36 is located axially opposite the first pad 16. Between the two pads 16, 36, a space 21 is formed to accommodate the brake disc.

[0058] The second pad 36 includes a shoe 38 and a lining 40. The shoe 38 and the lining 40 are similar to or identical to the shoe 18 and the lining 20 described above, respectively. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail below. It should be noted that only the second pad 36 includes a particle suction region 48 including a suction port 50 formed by a first cavity 52 and a groove 54 that are similar to or identical to the first cavity 32 and the groove 34, respectively, of the first pad 16. The suction port 50 extends, for example, in a generally axial direction.

[0059] It should also be noted that the second pad 36, and in particular the friction surface of its lining 40, is designed to be axially supported by the second face of the brake disc, axially opposite the first face of the disc, during the braking phase. This support, as with the inner pad 16, causes wear of the lining 40 and the disc, generating particles.

[0060] 4 and 5, the second pad 36 includes a first surface 42 that is axially supported by a first surface 56 of the caliper 12. The first surface 42 of the second pad 36 is similar to or identical to the outer surface 22 of the shoe 18 of the first pad 16. The first surface 42 of the second pad 36 and the first surface 56 of the caliper 12 are advantageously metallic.

[0061] Advantageously, if the caliper 12 is a floating caliper, the second pad 36 is mounted and slides on a guide (not shown). The movement of the second pad 36 on the brake disc is therefore caused by axial displacement of the caliper 12, in particular its rear part 39, relative to the caliper support. Such axial displacement of the rear part 39 of the caliper 12 causes the second pad 36 to slide on the guide and slide on which it is mounted. The second pad 36 is therefore directly actuated by the rear part 39 of the floating caliper 12. This arrangement with a floating caliper also allows a single piston (in this case, piston 14) to actuate the first pad 16 directly and the second pad 36 indirectly by means of the floating caliper at the same time.

[0062] The suction ports 50 of the second pad 36 may be included on the first surface 42 of the second pad 36 .

[0063] The rear portion 39 of the caliper 12 may include a suction port 80, shown in Figure 5. The suction port 80 extends through the rear portion 39 of the caliper 12 between the first surface 56 and the exterior of the caliper 12. For example, the suction port 80 extends in a generally axial direction.

[0064] Advantageously, when the first surface 42 of the second pad 36 contacts the first surface 56 of the caliper 12, the suction port 50 of the second pad 36 is aligned with the suction port of the caliper 12. In particular, the suction port 80 of the caliper 12 can be sealingly supported by the second pad 36 on the side opposite the suction port 50. Because the first surface 42 of the second pad 36 and the first surface 56 of the caliper 12 are metallic, the seal between the second pad 36 and the caliper 12 is provided by metal-to-metal contact. This seal between the second pad 36 and the caliper 12 allows particles generated by wear of the second pad 36 and the disc during the braking phase to be sucked in by the suction means, as will be described in more detail below, while limiting particles released into the environment.

[0065] The suction port 80 of the caliper 12 can be sealingly supported against the suction port 50 of the second pad 36 during braking when particles are generated due to wear. Outside the braking phase, the second pad 36 is pushed back towards the rear 39, which also makes it possible to maintain a seal between the second pad 36 and the caliper 12. This makes it possible to suck up any remaining particles during the cleaning phase.

[0066] 5, the diameter D1 of the suction port 50 of the second pad 36 can be smaller than the diameter D2 of the suction port 80 of the caliper 12. This ensures that the maximum number of particles released during cooperation between the second pad 36 and the brake disc are sucked in by the suction means. More specifically, if the diameter of the suction port 80 of the caliper 12 is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the suction port 50 of the second pad 36, there is a very high risk of particles accumulating at the interface between the two suction ports 50, 80.

[0067] To connect the suction ports 50, 80 to suction means, the apparatus 10 is provided with a second suction pipe 90. The second suction pipe 90 may be provided in continuity with the floating casting section 13B.

[0068] The second suction tube 90 includes a first end 92 and a second end 93 .

[0069] A first end 92 of the second suction tube 90 is attached directly or indirectly to the caliper 12. In the figure, the first end 92 is directly connected to the suction port 80 of the floating caliper 12. This allows the second suction tube 90 to be indirectly connected to the particle suction region 48 of the second pad 36. This allows particles generated by wear between the second pad 36 and the disc to escape from the particle suction region 48 of the second pad 36 to the second suction tube 90 via the port 80 of the caliper.

[0070] In particular, the first end 92 is at least partially attached so as to be clamped or fitted within the port 80. Thus, an improved seal is created between the caliper 12 and the second suction tube 90, limiting the risk of particles being expelled towards the outside of the device 10 at the interface between the caliper 12 and the second suction tube 90.

[0071] In the illustrated non-limiting example, the suction port 80 includes a shoulder 82 at an end 81 facing the second pad 36. The shoulder 82 causes the diameter D2 of the suction port 80 of the caliper 12 to increase at that end 81 relative to the remainder of the port 80.

[0072] The shoulder 82 is, for example, generally annular. The shoulder 82 is preferably shaped to receive the second suction tube 90, particularly its first end 92. The end 92 of the second suction tube 90 can be received, particularly in a clamped or fitted state, on the end 81 of the port 80.

[0073] This shoulder 82 increases the diameter of the first end 81 of the suction port 80 of the caliper 12, allowing the second suction tube 90 to be accommodated in the caliper suction port 80 while ensuring that the diameter of the suction tube flow passage 94 through which particles flow is equal to or greater than the diameter of the caliper suction port 80. Thus, the risk of particle buildup at the interface between the suction port 80 of the caliper 12 and the second suction tube 90 is limited.

[0074] This makes it possible to prevent the second suction pipe 90 from exerting a force on the second pad 36 by attaching the second suction pipe 90 to the caliper 12 .

[0075] The second end 93 of the second suction tube 90 is designed to be connected to a suction means. As mentioned above, such means may be a suction and filtering device. It should be noted that the first suction tube 60 and the second suction tube 90 may be connected to the same suction and filtering device or to separate suction and filtering devices.

[0076] The second suction tube 90 is preferably made entirely of one or more rigid components. For example, the second suction tube may be formed in a floating casting of the caliper.

[0077] 3, the shape of the second suction tube 90 can include an elbow 95. This elbow 95 allows the end 93 of the second suction tube 90 to be located on the same side of the caliper 12 as the end 63 of the first suction tube 60. It is therefore easier to connect the two suction tubes 60, 90 to the same suction and filtering device.

[0078] 5, the second suction tube 90 may be attached to the caliper 12 by at least one detachable coupling member 96. Therefore, the second suction tube 90 can be easily replaced if worn. The detachable coupling member 96 may be, for example, a screw.

[0079] It should be noted that after the pads 16, 36 rub against the brake disc, they move away from the disc due to slight distortions (not shown) present in the disc. In particular, the pads 16, 36 are moved away from the disc during its rotation.

[0080] In the illustrated floating caliper, separation of the pads 16, 36 from the brake disc occurs when the piston 14 retracts (and thus moves away from the front pad 16) and displaces the caliper 12 relative to the caliper support, away from the outer pad 36. The pads 16, 36 are thus released, and slight deflection of the disc displaces the pads 16, 36 in a direction that moves them away from the brake disc.

[0081] The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, which are described above merely by way of example, but the present disclosure encompasses all modifications that one skilled in the art may envision within the desired scope of protection. For example, as shown in the figures, each of the suction pipes 60, 90 may include a connecting piece 120. Preferably, such connecting pieces 120 are not provided in devices 10 designed to be installed on vehicles or stationary rotor machines. These connecting pieces 120 are used only when using the device 10 to perform experimental tests to measure the negative pressure in the pipes supporting the connecting pieces.

Claims

1. A friction brake device (10), comprising: A caliper (12), at least one pad (36) translatable along an axis (A) relative to the caliper (12); said at least one pad (36) is intended to cooperate with a brake disc, the at least one pad (36) includes at least one particle suction area (48) including a suction port (50); The friction brake device (10) further comprises a suction pipe (90) attached to the caliper (12); The caliper (12) includes a suction port (80) sealingly supported by the at least one pad (36) on the opposite side of the at least one pad (36) from the suction port (50), the suction port (80) being capable of connecting the suction tube (90) to the particle suction region (48) of the at least one pad (36); A friction brake device comprising:

2. 2. The friction brake device of claim 1, wherein a diameter (D1) of the suction port (50) of the at least one pad (36) is smaller than a diameter (D2) of the suction port (80) of the caliper (12).

3. 2. The friction brake device of claim 1, wherein the first end (81) of the suction port (80) of the caliper (12) includes a generally annular shoulder (82) configured to receive the suction tube (90).

4. 2. The friction brake device of claim 1, wherein the suction tube (90) is attached to the caliper (12) by at least one detachable coupling member (96).

5. 2. The friction brake device according to claim 1, wherein the suction pipe (90) is provided continuously with a floating casting portion (13B) of the caliper (12).

6. 2. The friction brake device of claim 1, wherein the suction port (50) of the at least one pad (36) is included in a first surface (42) of the at least one pad (36), the first surface (42) of the at least one pad (36) being metallic and sealingly supported by a first metal surface (58) of the caliper (12) through which the suction port (80) of the caliper (12) communicates.

7. 2. The friction brake device of claim 1, wherein the caliper (12) is a floating caliper that is axially movable relative to a caliper support, the at least one pad (16) comprises a first pad (16) called an inner pad and a second pad (36) called an outer pad, the first pad (16) is directly actuated by a piston (14) and the second pad (36) is directly actuated by a rear part (39) of the floating caliper (12), the suction pipe (90) is a second suction pipe that can be connected to a particle suction area (48) of the second pad (36), the friction brake device (10) further comprises a first suction pipe (60) that can be connected to a particle suction area (28) of the first pad (16), and the particle suction areas (28, 48) of the first pad (16) and the second pad (36) each have a suction port (30, 50), respectively.

8. A braking system comprising a brake disc and a friction brake device (10) according to claim 1.

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