Wheel Brake Pad Retraction Spring to Reduce Parasitic Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheel brake systems experience parasitic drag after brake release, leading to increased wear and fuel consumption due to the brake pad's continued contact with the brake disc.
Innovation Solution
A wheel brake arrangement featuring a resilient member, such as a torsion spring, connected between the brake pad and carrier, which forces the brake pad away from the brake disc upon release, reducing parasitic drag and providing pre-compression for proper positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake pad remains in contact with the brake disc after brake release, then the braking capability is maintained, but parasitic drag increases leading to increased wear and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is pre-loaded during brake assembly installation, storing elastic energy in advance. When the brake pad is released from the brake disc, this pre-stored energy automatically propels the brake pad away from the brake disc, preventing parasitic drag without requiring additional active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member provides self-service by automatically returning the brake pad to its retracted position using its own stored elastic energy. This eliminates the need for external actuators or additional energy input systems, making the brake pad self-regulating in its engagement and disengagement from the brake disc.
2Loss of energy
If the brake pad is forced away from the brake disc using a resilient member, then parasitic drag is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is integrated into the existing brake assembly structure, combining the braking function with the pad retraction function in a single compact unit. The resilient member fits within the carrier assembly and works in conjunction with existing components, eliminating the need for separate retraction mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is designed as a simple, inexpensive elastic component that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach uses a low-cost, simple component rather than a complex mechanical system, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing costs while effectively solving the parasitic drag problem.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the resilient member is pre-compressed during assembly, then proper brake pad positioning is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is designed with segmented, modular components including the carrier, brake pad, and resilient member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently with standard tolerances, reducing the need for high-precision machining while ensuring proper positioning through the modular interface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of the resilient member's pre-compression force and geometric parameters to optimize brake pad positioning. By varying parameters such as spring rate, initial compression, and mounting positions, the system achieves stable positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on individual components.
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 parasitic drag, extends the operational life of the brake pad, and decreases fuel consumption by ensuring the brake pad is properly disengaged from the brake disc after braking.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member connected between the carrier and the brake pad, the resilient member comprising a first portion connected to a surface extending in a radial and tangential direction of the brake pad and arranged to force the brake pad away from the brake disc when the brake pad assumes the second stage
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel brake arrangement (100) for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement comprising a brake pad (102) arranged to be controllable between a first stage in which the brake pad is connected to a brake disc for reducing the speed of the vehicle, and a second stage in which the brake pad is disconnected from the brake disc; and a carrier (104) connected to the brake pad for supporting the brake pad, wherein the wheel brake arrangement further comprising a resilient member (106) connected between the carrier (104) and the brake pad (102), the resilient member (106) comprising a first portion (108) connected to a surface (110) extending in a radial and tangential direction of the brake pad (102) and arranged to force the brake pad (102) away from the brake disc when the brake pad assumes the second stage, and a second portion (112) connected between a radially inner surface (114) of the brake pad (102) and a portion (116) of the carrier.