Work Machine Brake Assembly Using Belleville Springs for Tight Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake assemblies in work machines face packaging constraints that prevent the accommodation of additional coil springs, necessitating increased load to meet braking requirements, and wear of friction plates leads to increased retract and touch-up pressure needs, which conventional solutions cannot adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The brake assembly incorporates Belleville springs in circumferentially spaced spring pockets, allowing for increased braking force and efficient operation without adding weight or extra load, while accommodating both service and park brake requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If additional coil springs are added to increase braking force, then braking performance is improved, but packaging constraints prevent accommodation of additional springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring type from conventional coil springs to Belleville springs (disc springs), which have different geometric and mechanical parameters. Belleville springs provide higher force density and can be accommodated within the existing brake assembly volume, resolving the contradiction between needing more braking force and maintaining packaging constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using multiple coil springs arranged in a specific configuration to using Belleville springs that can be stacked or arranged in different dimensional configurations, maximizing space utilization within the brake assembly housing and enabling increased braking force without increasing overall volume
2Duration of action of moving object
If friction plates are worn and disc stack thickness is reduced, then braking operation continues, but retract pressure and touch-up pressure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring characteristic parameters by using Belleville springs with different rate characteristics compared to coil springs. This allows the spring to maintain adequate retract pressure even as the disc stack thickness decreases due to wear, eliminating the need to increase retract pressure requirements
3Force
If coil spring load is increased to meet braking requirements, then braking performance is improved, but additional load on brake components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from increasing the load on existing coil springs to using Belleville springs that generate the required braking force through their geometric design and material properties. This approach achieves the necessary braking force without proportionally increasing the load on other brake components, as Belleville springs distribute forces more efficiently
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
The Belleville springs provide enhanced braking performance, meet regulatory standards, reduce weight, and maintain efficiency by accommodating wear without additional components, thus improving manufacturing and operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least two spring assemblies includes at least one Belleville spring
Data Source
AI summary
A brake assembly for a work machine includes a main brake housing, a disc stack, a brake housing coupled with the main brake housing, and a piston to compress the disc stack. At least one of the main brake housing and the piston define at least two spring pockets. The at least two spring pockets are circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The brake assembly also includes at least two spring assemblies disposed between the main brake housing and the piston. The at least two spring assemblies are adapted to engage the piston with the disc stack to apply brakes via the brake assembly. Each spring pocket of the at least two spring pockets receives a corresponding spring assembly of the at least two spring assemblies. Each of the at least two spring assemblies includes at least one Belleville spring.