Wheel Brake Pad Separation with Resilient Retainer Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing brake disc arrangements in vehicles, such as those described in US 2016/0160945, suffer from insufficient separation of brake pads from the brake disc after a braking event, leading to drag losses, increased fuel consumption, and wear on brake 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 axially move the brake pad away from the brake disc when released, reducing drag losses and wear, and also serving as a radial support to prevent pad movement and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a pad holding spring is used to prevent brake pad twisting, then brake pad stability is improved, but brake pad separation after braking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pad stabilityVSAvoidbrake pad separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The solution divides the function into two separate components: a retainer bar that provides radial support and stability, and a resilient member that provides axial urging for separation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between stability and separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member acts as an intermediary between the retainer bar and the brake pad arrangement. It transfers the radial support from the retainer bar into axial urging force that pushes the brake pad away from the disc, enabling both stability and separation functions to work together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If brake pads remain in contact with brake disc after braking, then braking capability is maintained, but drag losses and fuel consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking capabilityVSAvoiddrag losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member applies a preliminary anti-action by continuously urging the brake pad away from the disc in the axial direction. This pre-positioning ensures that after braking, the pads are already separated rather than remaining in contact, eliminating drag losses while maintaining braking capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Power

If brake pads are firmly held during braking, then braking effectiveness is improved, but wear of brake components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking effectivenessVSAvoidcomponent operational life
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a periodic action cycle where the brake pad is firmly held against the disc during braking events, then completely separated during non-braking periods. The resilient member ensures full separation after each braking event, allowing components to rest and cool, thereby extending operational life while maintaining braking effectiveness when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 reduces drag losses, extends the operational life of brake components, decreases fuel consumption, and minimizes rattling noise by ensuring proper separation and positioning of brake pads post-braking.

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

PatentEP3899304B1Wheel brake arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3899304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3899304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3899304B1 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 (110) and a resilient member (114) connected between the retainer bar (110) and a brake pad arrangement (102) of the wheel brake arrangement (100).