Axle Assembly Braking Layout for Backlash and Rocking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for working vehicles, particularly those with wet brakes, face challenges in managing thermal capacity and mitigating rocking or backlash due to torsion and gear backlash when applying braking forces to driveshafts, which can lead to reduced stability and component wear.
Innovation Solution
The axle assembly incorporates a service brake applied to the driveshaft for thermal management and capacity, supplemented by an auxiliary brake applied to the wheel driving element to mitigate rocking and backlash, with a control system to manage their application based on vehicle mode and component status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the service brake applies braking force to the driveshaft, then braking capacity and thermal management are improved, but rocking and backlash occur due to torsion and gear backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into two independent braking circuits: a service brake system acting on the driveshaft and an auxiliary brake system acting on the wheel driving element. This segmentation allows each brake to perform its specialized function - the service brake provides main braking power while the auxiliary brake stabilizes the wheel hub, eliminating rocking without compromising overall braking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary brake acts as an intermediary stabilization mechanism between the service brake and the wheel hub. When the service brake applies force to the driveshaft, the auxiliary brake compensates for the resulting torsion and backlash by applying counteracting force to the wheel driving element, thereby mediating the stability issue.
2Temperature
If the service brake is positioned inboard for increased capacity, then thermal management is improved, but the auxiliary brake must be precisely positioned outboard to effectively mitigate rocking
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system utilizes different spatial dimensions along the driveshaft axis. The service brake is positioned inboard (closer to the differential) where thermal management is superior, while the auxiliary brake is positioned outboard (closer to the wheel hub) where it can most effectively counteract rocking. This dimensional separation allows both thermal management and stability functions to be optimized simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances braking capacity and thermal management while reducing rocking and backlash, extending brake component life and improving stability during working operations.
Implementation Method 1
a service brake configured to apply a braking force to the driveshaft
Implementation Method 2
an auxiliary brake configured to apply a braking force to the wheel driving element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An axle assembly 10 for a working vehicle is provided. The axle assembly comprises an axle 12 comprising a casing 14 and a driveshaft 16 located within the casing. The axle assembly also comprises a wheel hub 20 for mounting a wheel thereto, wherein the wheel hub is located at an outboard end of the axle and comprises a wheel driving element 24 which is coupled to the driveshaft by a gear arrangement. The axle assembly also comprises a brake system 28 comprising a service brake 30 configured to apply a braking force to the driveshaft, and an auxiliary brake 32 configured to apply a braking force to the wheel driving element.