Track Wheel Friction Ring Geometry for Brake Cooling Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling concepts for rail vehicle brake devices are insufficient in effectively dissipating heat generated during the braking process, leading to potential overheating issues.

Innovation Solution

A friction ring for a track wheel with securing elements of an essentially triangular shape on its rear side, allowing for effective circulation of cooling air between the friction ring and the wheel web, thereby enhancing heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cooling concepts are used, then some cooling effect is achieved, but the heat dissipation is insufficient and overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidbraking device overheating prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The friction ring is segmented by securing elements that protrude from the rear side, creating multiple gaps between the friction ring and wheel web. This segmentation allows cooling air to circulate through multiple pathways, significantly enhancing heat dissipation effectiveness and preventing overheating of the braking device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling air acts as an intermediary medium that flows through the gaps created by the securing elements. The air absorbs heat from the friction ring during circulation, effectively transferring thermal energy from the braking device to the environment, thereby improving heat dissipation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If securing elements are added to create cooling gaps, then heat dissipation is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidfriction ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing elements serve dual functions: they mechanically secure the friction ring to the wheel web while simultaneously creating gaps for cooling air circulation. This multi-functionality integrates the fastening and cooling features into a single structural element, improving cooling effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing elements combine the fastening function with the cooling channel formation function. By integrating these two functions into one component, the design achieves effective heat dissipation through the created gaps while avoiding the need for separate cooling structures, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If securing elements protrude from the rear side to form gaps, then cooling air circulation is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling air circulationVSAvoidfriction ring manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The securing elements have specific geometric parameters (triangular cross-section, predetermined height and spacing) that are optimized to create adequate cooling gaps while maintaining manufacturability. By carefully controlling these parameters, the design achieves enhanced cooling air circulation without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The securing elements are positioned at specific locations on the rear side of the friction ring where they create localized gaps for cooling air circulation. This local modification approach enhances cooling effectiveness at critical areas without requiring complex manufacturing throughout the entire friction ring structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 triangular shape of the securing elements optimizes the circulation of cooling air, leading to improved heat dissipation from the friction ring, effectively addressing the insufficiencies of previous cooling concepts.

Implementation Method 1

cooling air, in particular ambient air, can circulate advantageously in this gap. As a result, heat can be advantageously dissipated from the friction ring, in particular from the friction surface, via the rear side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250163979A1Friction ring with securing elements for a track wheel

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 FAIVELEY TRANSPORT BOCHUM GMBH

AI summary

In order to provide a track wheel, in particular a friction ring for a track wheel, which allows for effective cooling of a braking device of the track wheel, a friction ring (100) for a track wheel of a rail vehicle is proposed, comprising a friction side with a friction surface and a rear side (10) facing away from the friction side, wherein securing elements (11) are arranged on the rear side (10) protruding from the rear side (10), wherein the securing elements (11) have a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above, wherein it is provided that each of the securing elements (11) comprises a radial length R, wherein the friction ring (100) comprises an inner diameter Ri and an outer diameter Ra, and wherein R=0.30-0.90 (Ra-Ri).