Brake Gap Adjusting Mechanism with One-Way Clutch

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing brake devices for railroad vehicles face issues with unexpected reduction in the distance between the base end portions of rotating arms due to reaction forces, vibrations, and other external factors, which can affect the braking performance.

Innovation Solution

A brake device with a gap adjusting mechanism that includes a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and an input member, where a one-way clutch is used to allow rotation in one direction while preventing rotation in the opposite direction, ensuring the distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms remains stable despite external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a male screw part and female screw part are used to adjust the distance between rotating arms, then the gap between brake pads and disc can be adjusted, but the distance between base end portions may unexpectedly reduce due to reaction forces and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment precisionVSAvoiddistance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a one-way clutch mechanism that allows the screw parts to rotate freely in one direction (when force is applied) but locks in the other direction. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to external forces like vibrations and reaction forces, maintaining reliable gap adjustment while preventing unexpected distance reduction between the rotating arms' base end portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The one-way clutch acts as an intermediary element between the male and female screw parts. It mediates the interaction between the screw mechanism and external forces, allowing controlled rotation during adjustment while blocking rotation caused by harmful external forces, thus ensuring both adjustability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the female screw part is allowed to rotate freely relative to the male screw part, then gap adjustment is enabled, but rotation in the opposite direction may decrease the distance between base end portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustabilityVSAvoiddistance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The one-way clutch provides asymmetric rotational characteristics: it permits rotation in the direction needed for gap adjustment while preventing rotation in the direction that would reduce the distance between base end portions. This dynamic constraint maintains distance consistency while preserving ease of gap adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The one-way clutch预先 (in advance) prevents the harmful rotation direction before it can affect the distance between base end portions. By blocking rotation in the opposite direction, it counteracts potential harmful effects before they manifest, ensuring distance consistency is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 solution effectively prevents the reduction in distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms, maintaining consistent braking performance and reducing the risk of mechanical failure due to vibrations or other external factors.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way clutch for allowing the male screw portion to rotate relative to the female screw portion in one direction and preventing the male screw portion from rotating relative to the female screw portion in the other direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way clutch mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 2

The gap adjusting mechanism includes a male screw portion, a female screw portion for receiving the male screw portion fitted therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3916261B1Brake device and gap adjusting mechanism for brake device
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP3916261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3916261B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3916261B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gap adjusting mechanism for use in a brake device includes a male screw portion (71). The male screw portion (71) is fitted in a female screw portion (72). The female screw portion (72) has an input member (73) attached thereto, and the input member (73) is configured to rotate the female screw portion (72) relative to the male screw portion (71) in one direction. In the gap adjusting mechanism (70), when the female screw portion (72) rotates relative to the male screw portion (71) in the one direction, the distance between the base end portions of rotating arms (40) increases. The gap adjusting mechanism (70) further includes a one-way clutch (75) for allowing the female screw portion (72) to rotate relative to the male screw portion (71) in the one direction and preventing the female screw portion (72) from rotating relative to the male screw portion (71) in the other direction.