Brake Disc Spring Cavity Retention Without Hub Grooves

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brake disc arrangements for vehicles face challenges in assembly due to corrosion and debris accumulation in grooves on the hub, and lack axial stopping features, leading to increased complexity and potential errors during replacement.

Innovation Solution

The brake disc arrangement features an inwardly facing circumference with cavities that partially contain the spring assembly, allowing it to abut lateral walls and eliminate the need for an outer groove, using spring force for retention and simplifying assembly, with optional features like axial extension and radial connection holes for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a groove is provided on the hub for assembly of the retaining ring, then the spring assembly can be retained, but the groove is subject to corrosion and debris accumulation requiring cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of spring assemblyVSAvoidcorrosion and debris in groove
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the spring assembly from the groove-based retention system and relocates it to be contained within cavities in the brake disc. This removes the spring assembly from exposure to corrosion-prone grooves on the hub while maintaining retention through the cavity structure and spring force mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of retaining the spring assembly on the hub through a groove, the invention inverts the approach by having the brake disc contain the spring assembly in its cavities. The retention function is moved from the hub to the brake disc, eliminating the need for hub grooves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If no groove is provided on the hub, then corrosion and debris issues are eliminated, but stopping features in axial direction are lacking increasing assembly complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion and debris-free designVSAvoidassembly complexity without stopping features
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces cavities with axially opposing lateral walls that provide axial stopping features. These cavities create dimensional constraints in the axial direction, preventing the spring assembly from moving axially without requiring external grooves or additional retention components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake disc's cavity structure provides its own axial stopping features, making the system self-sufficient for retention without requiring additional hub grooves or external retention mechanisms. The cavity walls themselves serve as the stopping features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the spring assembly is contained in cavities with axially opposing lateral walls, then assembly is simplified and corrosion-prone grooves are eliminated, but additional retention means are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidretention mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring assembly utilizes its own spring force to press against the lateral walls of the cavities, creating a self-retaining mechanism. The elastic deformation of the spring assembly provides the retention force, eliminating the need for separate retention means while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the spring assembly by having it elastically deform within the cavities. The spring force parameter is utilized to create retention pressure against the lateral walls, transforming the spring from a simple component into an active retention mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design facilitates easier assembly and replacement of the brake disc assembly by eliminating corrosion-prone grooves and reducing complexity, ensuring secure attachment without additional retention means and preventing axial displacement.

Implementation Method 1

the spring assembly is partially retained in said one or more cavities by a spring force exerted by said spring assembly towards the lateral walls of the one or more cavities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4141284B1A brake disc arrangement for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4141284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141284B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a brake disc arrangement (10) for a vehicle (1),. The brake disc arrangement (10) comprises a brake disc (20) which extends annularly about an axially extending central axis (X) and defines an inwardly facing circumference comprising a splined portion (22) for transferring torques between the brake disc (20) and a corresponding hub (40), when the brake disc arrangement (10) is mounted to the hub (40). The brake disc arrangement further comprises a spring assembly (30) adapted to be axially connected to the corresponding hub (40). The inwardly facing circumference of the brake disc (20) comprises one or more cavities (24), each cavity (24) being defined by axially opposing lateral walls (26). The spring assembly (30) is partially contained in said one or more cavities (24), such that a portion of the spring assembly (30) may abut each one out of the axially opposing lateral walls (26). Moreover, the spring assembly (30) comprises a plurality of spring elements.