Drum Brake Shoe Support Structure Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drum brakes face challenges during assembly and service due to complex components like springs, clips, and linkages, and suffer from self-excitation issues leading to brake fade and noise, which are exacerbated by changes in friction coefficient, similar to duo-servo brakes.

Innovation Solution

A drum brake assembly design featuring a brake shoe support structure with a table and web, where the web is perpendicular to the friction lining, allowing secure placement without tools, eliminating complex components and preventing torque amplification, thus reducing brake fade and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional drum brake components (springs, clips, linkages) are used to hold brake shoes in position, then the brake shoes can be securely positioned, but the assembly and service process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly and service easeVSAvoidNumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (brake shoe, support structure, positioning features) into an integrated assembly where the brake shoe includes integrated positioning features that directly engage with the support structure, eliminating the need for separate springs, clips, and linkages to hold the brake shoe in position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes unnecessary components (springs, clips, linkages, adjusters) from the traditional drum brake assembly, retaining only the essential elements needed for brake shoe positioning and operation, thereby simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If self-excited brake geometry is used to amplify brake application force, then braking force is enhanced, but sensitivity to friction coefficient changes increases leading to brake fade

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBrake application forceVSAvoidBrake performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional self-excited drum brake geometry by positioning the anchor pin at the trailing end of the shoe rather than the leading end, which eliminates the self-excitation effect and the associated amplification of brake application force, thereby reducing sensitivity to friction coefficient changes and preventing brake fade

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Force

If self-excited brake geometry is used to amplify brake application force, then braking force is enhanced, but brake noise such as squeal is aggravated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBrake application forceVSAvoidBrake noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates brake noise by inverting the brake shoe geometry to eliminate self-excitation, which is the root cause of noise generation in traditional drum brakes, thereby achieving quiet operation without sacrificing essential braking function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Stability of the object's composition

If drum brakes are designed with complex components for secure brake shoe positioning, then brake shoe stability is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBrake shoe positioning stabilityVSAvoidAssembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-formed positioning features (such as integrated tabs, slots, or geometric engagement elements) into the brake shoe and support structure design during manufacturing, allowing the brake shoe to be securely positioned through simple insertion and engagement without requiring time-consuming assembly operations with multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3164617B1Drum brake device and method of assembly
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 AUTOKINETICS
  • EP3164617B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164617B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164617B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method of assembling a drum brake device includes positioning a portion of a brake shoe (22) support structure (40, 42) near an opening of a brake actuating cylinder (80); manipulating the support structure (40, 42) so that a window (44) of the support structure (40, 42) is received over a portion of a shoe mount (50); moving the support structure (40, 42) relative to the shoe mount (50) so that the portion of the support structure (40, 42) is received into the brake actuating cylinder (80) and the support structure (40, 42) is engaged by the shoe mount (50) in a manner that the shoe mount (50) restricts movement of the brake shoe (22) in two dimensions and allows selective movement in a third dimension; and securing the brake shoe (22) in an installed position by placing the drum (26) over the brake shoe (22) with the braking surface facing the friction lining.