Utility Vehicle Disc Brake Guide Rail Anti-Loosening Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disc brake guide rails in commercial vehicles experience loosening due to operational deformations and reduced friction coatings, leading to a risk of brake failure, requiring frequent maintenance checks.

Innovation Solution

The disc brake design incorporates embossed elements on the guide rail and brake carrier surfaces, forming a form or friction fit, which secures the guide rail independently of surface coatings and maintains pretensioning force under operational loads, preventing screw connection loosening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a screw connection is used to fasten the guide rail to the brake carrier, then the guide rail can be securely attached, but operational deformations cause bending moments that loosen the screw connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The embossed elements are formed on the guide rail end face before assembly, creating a pre-prepared form fit structure that will engage with the brake carrier surface during mounting. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when the screw is tightened, the embossed elements immediately provide mechanical interlocking resistance to loosening forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the contact surface by adding embossed elements that alter the geometric configuration from a flat surface to a structured surface with protrusions. This geometric parameter change creates a form fit mechanism that complements the screw connection, preventing loosening caused by operational deformations and bending moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a coating with reduced coefficient of friction is applied to the brake carrier surface, then sliding is improved, but the guide rail can twist and the screw connection loosens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding performanceVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The embossed elements are applied locally to the contact surface area where the guide rail meets the brake carrier. This local structural enhancement provides targeted anti-twist and anti-loosening functionality at the critical interface, while the rest of the guide rail surfaces maintain their sliding properties. The local quality change creates a dual-function interface: secure mechanical interlocking at the contact points and smooth sliding at the guide surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If safety elements like lock washers are used to prevent screw loosening, then some security is provided, but they are not suitable for hardened surfaces and adequate safety cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-loosening securityVSAvoidmanufacturing compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the anti-loosening function from separate safety elements like lock washers and integrates it directly into the guide rail structure through embossed elements. This extraction eliminates the need for additional components and simplifies the assembly process, while the embossed elements are specifically designed to work with hardened surfaces through form fit engagement rather than relying on material deformation mechanisms that don't work on hardened surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design ensures secure attachment of the guide rail to the brake carrier, preventing loosening and maintaining pretensioning force, thus enhancing the operational reliability and reducing maintenance needs of the disc brake system.

Implementation Method 1

forming a form or friction fit, which secures the guide rail independently of surface coatings and maintains pretensioning force under operational loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3371476B1Disk brake for a utility vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3371476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3371476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3371476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a disk brake for a utility vehicle, comprising a brake caliper, which extends over a brake disk and which is slidably held on at least one guide bar (4), which is connected to a stationary brake bracket by means of a screw, wherein the screw is fed through the guide bar (4), is designed in such a way that the guide bar (4) has impressing elements (12), which are formed on the end face of the guide bar that lies against the brake bracket, at least in a circumferential and/or radial partial region, which impressing elements engage into the brake bracket in an impressed manner in such a way that an interlocking connection and/or a frictional connection is formed.