Hub Device Axial Heat Conduction for Brake Disc

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of splined disc brakes in vehicles leads to unfavorable temperature distribution in the hub, causing elevated bearing temperatures and reduced service life due to inefficient heat conduction and cooling, particularly when compared to traditional hub and brake disc configurations.

Innovation Solution

A hub device with a reduced number of splines and a specific design featuring freely protruding portions that create gaps between the splines and the bearing socket, allowing heat to be conducted axially to carrier portions with increased cooling surfaces, thereby reducing bearing temperatures and enhancing air-cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a splined disc brake is used with the brake disc fastened close to the hub end by splines, then the brake disc can be secured in the circumferential direction, but an unfavorable temperature distribution occurs in the hub causing raised bearing temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake disc securingVSAvoidbearing temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The hub is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bearing socket region for support, a carrier portion for heat conduction, and a braking surface. This segmentation allows heat to be conducted axially through the carrier portion away from the bearing socket, preventing unfavorable temperature distribution while maintaining brake disc securing through splines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier portion acts as an intermediary thermal pathway between the brake disc and the bearing socket. It provides a dedicated route for heat conduction that bypasses the bearing socket, allowing heat to be transferred axially to cooling surfaces without directly heating the bearing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the brake disc is fastened by splines close to the hub end, then circumferential holding is achieved, but heat conduction becomes inefficient and cooling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake disc positioningVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling strategy transitions from radial heat dissipation to axial heat conduction. The carrier portion extends axially from the bearing socket to provide a thermal pathway that conducts heat in the axial dimension, directing it to cooling surfaces at the hub end away from the bearing region, thereby improving overall heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If traditional hub design with centrally screwed disc is used, then bearing temperatures remain normal, but the structure cannot be cast integrally and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing temperatureVSAvoidintegral casting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hub device merges multiple functions into a single integrally cast component: the bearing socket, carrier portion, cooling surfaces, and spline structure are all combined in one piece. This integral construction eliminates the need for separate assembly operations while maintaining favorable temperature distribution through the designed thermal pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the thermal conduction parameters by introducing the carrier portion with specific thermal properties and geometry. This parameter change enables effective heat conduction away from the bearing socket while maintaining the integral casting structure, achieving both thermal management and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively manages heat conduction and cooling, reducing bearing temperatures and improving stress distribution within the hub, while being suitable for integral casting at a lower cost.

Implementation Method 1

heat to be conducted axially to carrier portions with increased cooling surfaces, thereby reducing bearing temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

enhancing air-cooling efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2066503B1Hub device for disc brake, brake disc, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2012.10.03 SCANIA CV AB

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AI summary

A hub device (1) for a brake is (2) for a disc brake, adapted to being fastened by a fastening portion (6) to a vehicle wheel and comprising a number of external riges (splines) (7) adapted to hokling the brake disc in the circumferential direction of the hub, which brake is has in it a central hole with grooves running axially for cooperation with said riges. The device is particularly distinguished in that said ridges (7) each have a portion (8) protruding freel away from the fastening portion (6) and forming a gap (9) between them and the outer shell surface (10) of a portion (11) (which points away from the fastening portion) of a bearing socket (12) (which is supported by the fastening portion) of the hub device (1), which protruding portions are adapted to supporting a brake disc (2). The invention also relates to a brake disc and a vehicle.