Radial Piston Machine Brake Layout Using Distributor Force Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial piston machines face challenges in performance, ease of manufacture, and simplicity of design, particularly in the application and transmission of brake forces without additional springs or bulkheads.
Innovation Solution
A configuration featuring a rotor, distributor, brake discs, and an actuator where the brake force is supported by the distributor, allowing direct contact between the distributor and rotor, and the brake discs transfer the force to the distributor for reliable torque transmission, eliminating the need for additional springs or bulkheads, and enabling hydraulic control of the brake force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional springs or bulkheads are provided to support brake force, then brake force transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the additional springs and bulkheads from the conventional design. The brake force is transmitted directly through the distributor that already exists in the system, removing the need for separate supporting structures and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor is given a dual function: it continues to perform its primary role of distributing hydraulic fluid to the pistons, and simultaneously serves as the structural element to support and transmit brake force from the brake discs to the rotor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated brake force supporting structures.
2Reliability
If additional springs or bulkheads are provided to support brake force, then brake force transmission reliability is improved, but manufacturing ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the additional springs and bulkheads, the manufacturing process is simplified. The distributor can be manufactured as a single integrated component that handles both fluid distribution and brake force transmission, reducing the number of parts to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of fluid distribution and brake force transmission are merged into the single distributor component. This integration reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and improves manufacturing ease while maintaining the reliability of brake force transmission.
3Productivity
If brake discs are positioned to directly contact distributor, then brake force transfer efficiency is improved, but access to housing interior becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the brake discs axially between the distributor and the actuator, utilizing the axial dimension for brake force application. This spatial arrangement allows direct contact and efficient force transfer while maintaining accessibility for manufacturing and assembly operations.
4Device complexity
If distributor is located axially between rotor and actuator, then brake force transmission path is simplified, but housing design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into functional zones: the distributor is positioned in an axial location that creates distinct regions for the rotor, brake discs, and actuator. This segmentation allows for a clear, simplified force transmission path while the housing design accommodates these zones through standard manufacturing features.
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 the reliability and efficiency of brake force transfer, simplifies the design, reduces housing weight, and facilitates easier manufacturing by eliminating the need for additional structural elements, while maintaining effective sealing and fluid communication.
Implementation Method 1
a brake force can be applied so as to frictionally restrict rotation of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
the brake force maintains a contact, such as a surface-to-surface contact, between a face of the distributor and a face of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A radial piston machine includes a rotor within a housing that is rotatable about an axis, a shaft coupled to the rotor, a distributor which surrounds the shaft and cannot rotate with the rotor and that contacts the rotor in an axial direction, a plurality of brake discs including first brake discs and second brake discs arranged side-by-side along the axis, wherein the first brake discs are coupled to the housing for torque transmission, and the second brake discs are coupled to the shaft for torque transmission, and an actuator configured to releasably exert a brake force in the axial direction on the brake discs. The distributor is located axially between the rotor and the actuator, and the brake discs are located axially between the distributor and the actuator. When the brake force is exerted the brake force is supported by the distributor in the axial direction.