Crane Wheel Brake Caliper Roller Guide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crane brakes fail to maintain separation between the wheel and brake pads during lateral movement and do not ensure even wear of brake pads due to lack of alignment with the wheel surface.
Innovation Solution
A wheel brake calliper design featuring centrally located brake pad guide rollers and springs that maintain separation between the wheel and brake pads during non-braking and align the brake pads with the wheel surface during braking, using a single guide roller per brake shoe to prevent wear and ensure even contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brake pad guide rollers are located at the ends of brake shoes, then separation between wheel and brake pads can be maintained, but multiple rollers are required per brake shoe and alignment guidance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the separation maintenance function and alignment guidance function into a single centrally located brake pad guide roller. This single roller simultaneously prevents brake pad contact with the wheel during non-braking and ensures proper alignment during braking, eliminating the need for multiple rollers at each brake shoe end.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrally located brake pad guide roller performs multiple functions: it maintains separation between the brake pad and wheel during non-braking, provides alignment guidance for even wear during braking, and serves as a pivot point for the brake shoe. This multi-functional design reduces component count while improving overall system performance.
2Device complexity
If brake pads are allowed to contact the wheel during non-braking, then simpler structure is achieved, but brake pad wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The brake pad guide roller acts as an intermediary element between the brake pad and the wheel. During non-braking, the roller maintains contact with the wheel surface while the brake pad remains separated, preventing direct contact and wear. The roller transfers the wheel's lateral movement to the brake shoe pivot, allowing the brake pad to follow the wheel position without contacting it.
3Device complexity
If brake pads are not aligned with the wheel surface, then fewer alignment components are needed, but uneven wear occurs during braking
Solution Approach 1:
The centrally located brake pad guide roller enables the brake shoe to self-align with the wheel during braking. As the wheel applies braking force, the brake shoe pivots about the guide roller, automatically adjusting the brake pad position to ensure even contact and uniform wear across the pad surface, eliminating the need for separate alignment adjustment mechanisms.
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 brake pad wear by maintaining separation and ensuring even alignment with the wheel surface, preventing uneven wear and ensuring consistent braking performance even with lateral wheel movement.
Implementation Method 1
each of the brake shoes having a brake pad guide roller and a spring biasing the respective brake pad guide roller to project beyond the brake pad in a direction towards the wheel
Implementation Method 2
each brake pad guide roller is provided at a central location of the respective brake shoe and its brake pad
Implementation Method 3
each of the brake levers preferably has a first end pivotally connected to one of the brake shoes and an opposite end pivotally connected to the braking force generator, and each of the brake levers preferably further includes a fulcrum intermediate the brake lever ends and pivotally mounting the brake levers
Implementation Method 4
Conventional crane brakes, such as disclosed in US patent number 6,019,199, issued February 1, 2000 to David C Heidenrech, are hydraulic calliper disk brakes
Data Source
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AI summary
A crane wheel brake having a pair of brake shoes at opposite sides of a crane wheel. Each of the brake shoes has a brake pad, a brake pad guide roller and a spring for biasing the brake pad guide roller to project beyond the brake pad towards the wheel. The brake pad guide roller is located in a central portion of the brake shoe. The wheel brake includes a pair of brake levers and a braking force generator. Each of the brake levers has a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the brake shoes and a second end pivotally connected to a respective side of the braking force generator. Each brake lever is pivotally mounted by a fulcrum intermediate its first and second ends. The wheel presses against the brake pad guide roller on either one of the brake shoes and causes the wheel brake to pivot about the fulcrums to maintain a clearance between the brake pads and the wheel.