Utility Vehicle Disk Brake Adjusting Spindle Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing disc brake systems for commercial vehicles face challenges in maintenance due to high temperatures affecting the bellows' load capacity, leading to frequent replacements and increased maintenance costs, along with issues of axial distortion and torque requirements for adjusting spindles.

Innovation Solution

The disc brake design incorporates a locking ring with form-fitting elements and a retaining ring to prevent reverse rotation of the adjusting spindle, eliminating the need for a disengagement safeguard and ensuring the long-term functionality of the shearing adapter, allowing for easier manufacturing and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a disengagement safeguard is provided to protect the adjusting spindle from axial distortion, then the reliability of the adjusting mechanism is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of adjusting mechanismVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the disengagement safeguard component entirely by redesigning the adjusting spindle with self-limiting reverse rotation capability through its thread geometry and engagement geometry with the brake shoe, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting spindle is designed to automatically prevent reverse rotation beyond a predetermined angle through its own structural features (thread pitch, engagement geometry), eliminating the need for external protective safeguards and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a tear-off adapter is used to protect the adjusting mechanism from overload, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional adjustment steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from overloadVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the tear-off adapter by designing the adjusting spindle with inherent reverse rotation limitations that provide overload protection through the brake shoe's engagement geometry, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying the adjustment operation to a single continuous motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting spindle automatically provides overload protection through its own structural design (thread pitch, engagement geometry with brake shoe), eliminating the need for separate protective components and simplifying the adjustment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the bellows is made from highly elastic material to cover the adjusting spindle over the entire adjustment distance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the load capacity deteriorates due to high temperatures during braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment distance coverageVSAvoidload capacity of bellows
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different functional requirements: the bellows uses highly elastic material (such as silicone rubber) specifically in the regions requiring flexibility and movement coverage, while heat-resistant materials or coatings are applied in the regions exposed to high temperatures during braking, thereby achieving both adequate adjustment distance coverage and sufficient load capacity under thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3374654B1Disk brake for a utility vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3374654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3374654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3374654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a disk brake for a utility vehicle, having a brake caliper (1) engaging over a brake disk (2), at least one application device (5) for applying the disk brake by means of a displaceably guided bridge (6), which bridge (6) has at least one threaded hole, into which an actuating spindle (10) passing through a closure plate (12) connected to the brake caliper (1) and provided with an external thread (21) is screwed, said spindle bearing a pressure piece (11) which can be rotated relative thereto, by means of which pressure piece a brake lining (3) can be pressed against the brake disk (2), and a readjusting device (8) that is operatively connected to the actuating spindle (10) for readjusting a clearance, is constructed in such a way that a securing ring (16) is provided, which is held on the bridge (6) so as to be secured axially and against rotation and which, in an end position of the actuating spindle (10) screwed in counter to the actuating direction, in order to secure the actuating spindle against rotation, engages with a form fit in a thread-free end region (22) of the actuating spindle (11) which is assigned to the pressure piece (11).