Reusable Friction Ring Brake Assembly for Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brake discs in high-speed vehicles deform due to heat, leading to reduced performance and unnecessary replacement of the entire brake assembly when wheels are replaced, resulting in unneeded costs.
Innovation Solution
A brake assembly with a friction ring system featuring arcuate bodies and flexible fasteners that allow for deformation and separation from the wheel, enabling reuse upon wheel replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If brake discs are rigidly integrated with wheels, then structural strength is improved, but the brake assembly cannot be reused when wheels are replaced due to thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is segmented into a brake disc portion and a wheel portion that can be separated. The brake disc is designed to be removable from the wheel, allowing the brake assembly to be reused on different wheels while the wheel can be replaced independently. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural integrity during operation while enabling reuse after wheel replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows the wheel to be discarded or replaced while the brake assembly is recovered and reused. The brake disc is designed to remain intact and functional after wheel replacement, enabling recovery and reuse of the more expensive brake component. This principle directly addresses the reusability issue by separating the disposable wheel from the recoverable brake assembly.
2Reliability
If brake discs are securely fastened to wheels, then reliability is improved, but the entire brake assembly must be replaced when wheels are replaced due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is divided into separable components: the brake disc and the wheel. The brake disc maintains reliable braking function while being independently removable from the wheel. This segmentation allows the brake assembly to be reused on new wheels, preventing unnecessary replacement costs while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables discarding the wheel while recovering and reusing the brake assembly. The brake disc is designed to withstand thermal deformation and maintain its braking capability, allowing it to be recovered and installed on replacement wheels. This prevents the loss of valuable brake components and reduces overall replacement costs.
3Reliability
If brake discs are made to accommodate thermal deformation, then performance is maintained, but the interface deforms making reinstallation on new wheels impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The brake disc is segmented into a braking surface portion and a mounting interface portion. The mounting interface is designed with flexibility or compliance features that accommodate thermal deformation during braking while maintaining the ability to be removed and reinstalled on new wheels. This segmentation allows the interface to handle deformation without permanent damage to compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting interface parameters are designed to change or adjust during thermal cycles. The interface may include compliant materials, flexible mounting mechanisms, or tolerance designs that accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. These parameter changes allow the brake disc to maintain braking performance under thermal stress while preserving interface compatibility for reuse on new wheels.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake assembly is provided that may include a first friction ring having a plurality of mounting assemblies spaced around the first friction ring and configured to secure the first friction ring to a web of a wheel. At least one of the plurality of mounting assemblies of the first friction ring may include a first arcuate body surrounding a first opening. The brake assembly may also include a second friction ring having a plurality of mounting assemblies spaced around the second friction ring and configured to secure the second friction ring to the web of the wheel. The brake assembly may also include a flexible fastener disposed through the first opening and second opening and configured to be disposed through the web of the wheel to secure the web of the wheel between the first arcuate body and the second arcuate body.