Dual Torque Bar Drum Element for High Torque Clutch Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constricting clutch brake elements face limitations in handling high torque and power applications, requiring improvements in torque carrying capacity and stress reduction within a fixed envelope size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual torque bar drum element with movably mounted backing plates and an expandable tube, featuring guide cavities and release springs, allowing for interchangeable torque bar arrangements to increase torque capacity and reduce stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single torque bar is used in conventional clutch brake elements, then the device complexity is low, but the torque carrying capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch brake element is divided into multiple torque bars (typically three) that are distributed around the backing plate, with each torque bar independently engaging the friction material. This segmentation allows the torque carrying capacity to be distributed across multiple bars, enabling the system to handle higher total torque while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The torque bars are arranged in a radial pattern around the backing plate, transitioning from a single central torque bar to multiple distributed bars in a radial configuration. This dimensional change from one-dimensional to two-dimensional arrangement increases the torque carrying capacity by utilizing the radial space more effectively
2Power
If the number of torque bars is increased to handle higher torque, then the torque carrying capacity increases, but the induced stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each torque bar is designed with optimized local geometry and material properties to distribute stresses evenly. The torque bars feature rounded leading edges and gradually varying cross-sections that reduce stress concentrations, allowing multiple bars to handle higher torque without proportionally increasing induced stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The torque bars are pre-positioned and pre-loaded during assembly to ensure optimal stress distribution before operation. The backing plate and torque bar connections are pre-configured to distribute loads evenly across all torque bars, preventing localized stress peaks during torque transmission
3Power
If the envelope size is kept fixed, then the device compactness is maintained, but the torque carrying capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple torque bars are arranged radially around the backing plate, utilizing the circumferential dimension to increase torque capacity without increasing the axial or radial envelope dimensions. This radial distribution allows the system to fit within a compact cylindrical envelope while handling higher torque through distributed load paths
Solution Approach 2:
The same compact clutch brake element design with multiple torque bars serves multiple functions: it provides friction engagement for torque transmission, distributes stresses across multiple bars, and maintains a compact envelope size. The modular torque bar design allows the same basic structure to be adapted for different torque requirements by changing the number or size of bars
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
This configuration enhances torque carrying capacity by 1.5 times while reducing induced stresses by approximately 43%, allowing for flexible torque handling within the same size envelope and enabling usage with one, two, or three torque bars.
Implementation Method 1
application of fluid pressure to the expandable tube is able to cause the backing plate to overcome the springs' biasing force and move radially inward
Implementation Method 2
A release spring is located between each of the two torque bars and a respective guide cavity wall. Each spring is operable to provide a radially outward biasing force to the backing plate
Implementation Method 3
The driving and driven members may be engaged by moving friction material, such as material on a friction lining operatively connected to a backing plate
Data Source
AI summary
A constricting clutch brake element is operable to selectively transmit mechanical power between relatively movable rotating members. A plurality of backing plates are movably mounted and selectively movable radially on an annular body of the clutch brake element. The backing plates engage a plurality of friction linings. Each backing plate is configured for usage with different numbers of torques bars to meet different torque carrying capacities, all within the same envelope size. The configuration also allows plural torque bars to be relatively positioned so that they can engagingly guide the backing plate during its radial movement.