Brake Pad Retainer With Resilient Return to Cut Drag Losses

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing brake disc arrangements in vehicles, such as those described in US 2016/0160945, suffer from drag losses and increased wear due to brake pads not being sufficiently removed from the brake disc after a braking event, leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced operational life of components.

Innovation Solution

A wheel brake arrangement featuring a brake pad arrangement with a resilient member connected to a retainer bar, which is tensioned to urge the brake pad away from the brake disc when released, reducing drag losses and wear by quickly returning the brake pad to its non-activated position and preventing radial movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a pad holding spring is used to prevent radial movement of the brake pad, then the brake pad stability is improved, but the brake pad is not sufficiently removed from the brake disc after braking, causing drag losses and increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pad stabilityVSAvoiddrag losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pad retention function is segmented into two independent components: the pad holding spring (for radial stability) and the resilient member (for axial separation). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between stability and drag losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the brake pad arrangement and the retainer bar, providing the necessary axial force to separate the brake pad from the brake disc after braking. This intermediary component enables the brake pad to be fully released without compromising its radial stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the brake pad remains in contact with the brake disc after braking, then braking capability is maintained, but fuel consumption increases due to drag losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking capabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is pre-loaded to exert a separating force on the brake pad arrangement, creating a preliminary anti-action that actively pushes the brake pad away from the brake disc after braking. This pre-loaded force ensures complete separation and eliminates drag losses, while the pad holding spring maintains braking capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The brake pad arrangement transitions from a static retention system to a dynamic system with the resilient member providing active axial movement. The resilient member allows the brake pad to dynamically adjust its position, achieving full separation after braking while maintaining contact capability during braking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the brake pad is not fully separated from the brake disc, then braking response is maintained, but component wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking responseVSAvoidcomponent operational life
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retention system is segmented into radial support (pad holding spring for braking response) and axial separation (resilient member for wear reduction). This segmentation allows the brake pad to maintain rapid braking response through radial contact while achieving complete axial separation to minimize wear during non-braking periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member provides continuous axial separation force during the non-braking period, ensuring the brake pad remains fully separated from the brake disc. This continuous separation action minimizes wear while the pad holding spring ensures immediate braking response when activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

This solution reduces drag losses, minimizes brake wear, decreases fuel consumption, and reduces rattling noise by ensuring the brake pad is properly returned to its non-activated position after braking, thereby enhancing the operational life of brake components and reducing fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member connected to the brake pad arrangement and to the retainer bar, the resilient member being tensioned when the brake pad is pressed against the brake disc for urging the brake pad arrangement in a direction axially away from the brake disc when releasing the brake pad from the brake disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3957876B1Brake pad arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3957876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wheel brake arrangement (100) for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement (100) comprising a retainer bar and a resilient member (114) connected between the retainer bar (110) and a brake pad arrangement (102) of the wheel brake arrangement (100), wherein the resilient member (114) engages with the retainer bar (110) such that a radial force component is present between the resilient member and the retainer bar.