Movable Brake Calliper Layout for Propulsion Pod Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of brake systems in propulsion pods is cumbersome due to limited access, requiring extensive disassembly to replace brake pads or remove the drive shaft and brake disc, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion pod design with a movable brake calliper shaft that can be rotated and translated between operational and maintenance positions, allowing the drive shaft and brake disc to be removed without disassembling the brake calliper, facilitating easier access and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake calliper is fixedly mounted to overlap the brake disc during operation, then braking functionality is achieved, but maintenance becomes cumbersome requiring extensive disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The brake calliper is made movable relative to the brake disc through a movable mounting arrangement, allowing it to switch between an operational position (overlapping the brake disc for braking) and a maintenance position (retracted to allow access). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by enabling both reliable braking operation and easy maintenance access without requiring extensive disassembly.
2Strength
If the calliper is mounted with bolts extending through the pod wall, then secure mounting is achieved, but access to mounting points requires extensive pod disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bolts are arranged to extend through the pod wall at angles that provide access from the exterior of the pod. This dimensional repositioning allows maintenance personnel to access and remove mounting bolts from outside the pod, eliminating the need for extensive internal disassembly while maintaining secure mounting strength.
3Device complexity
If the brake disc and drive shaft are tightly integrated in the pod, then compact design is achieved, but removal requires complete calliper disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into separable components: the brake calliper is made independently movable and removable from the brake disc and drive shaft assembly. This segmentation allows the brake calliper to be detached separately, enabling removal of the brake disc and drive shaft without requiring complete disassembly of the entire pod, thus maintaining compact integration while facilitating easy component removal.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A propulsion pod (1) for housing a drive shaft (5) is disclosed. The propulsion pod (1) comprises a wall (8) for mounting the drive shaft (5), wherein the drive shaft (5) is provided with a brake disc (6). Moreover, the propulsion pod (1) comprises a calliper shaft (11) extending through the wall (8), and a brake calliper (12), mounted on the calliper shaft (11), wherein the brake calliper (12) is movable between a first position and a second position by rotation and/or translation of the calliper shaft (11). The brake calliper (12), in the first position is arranged to prevent movement of the drive shaft (5) and the brake disc (6) in the direction of the central longitudinal axis (20) of the drive shaft (5). The brake calliper (12) in the second position is arranged to allow movement of the drive shaft (5) and the brake disc (6) in a direction which is parallel to, or coaxial with, the central longitudinal axis (20) of the drive shaft (5).