Resilient Torque Pad Attachment for Fastener-Free Brake Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake assemblies for vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges in efficiently reducing and preventing wheel rotation without the need for additional fastening elements, which can complicate installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The brake assembly incorporates a torque pad with a resiliently biased support portion that inserts into a boss, allowing the torque pad to be coupled without additional fastening elements, such as cotter pins, by using a pin that is biased to maintain its position within a support recess, thereby transmitting compression forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional fastening elements (such as cotter pins) are used to couple the torque pad and boss, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of installation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and resilient support portion are integrated into a single unified component. The pin forms an integral part of the support portion, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements like cotter pins. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the resilient retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient support portion automatically positions and secures the pin within the boss during operation. The resilient nature allows the pin to be retained without additional fastening elements, as the system self-regulates to maintain the connection. This eliminates the need for manual installation of extra fasteners.
2Reliability
If additional fastening elements (such as cotter pins) are used to couple the torque pad and boss, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of installation and maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and resilient support portion are integrated into a single unified component. The pin forms an integral part of the support portion, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements like cotter pins. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the resilient retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient support portion automatically positions and secures the pin within the boss during operation. The resilient nature allows the pin to be retained without additional fastening elements, as the system self-regulates to maintain the connection. This eliminates the need for manual installation of extra fasteners.
3Ease of operation
If a resiliently biased pin is used to maintain position within the support recess, then the ease of installation is improved, but the force transmission reliability may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient support portion is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to maintain sufficient force transmission capability. The resilience is calibrated to provide appropriate retention force while maintaining rigid load-bearing characteristics during braking operation. This parameter optimization ensures both ease of installation and force transmission reliability.
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 simplifies the installation process and ensures reliable transmission of compression forces to reduce wheel rotation, enhancing the brake assembly's operational efficiency and reducing the need for additional fastening components.
Implementation Method 1
The first support portion is resiliently biased, such that the support portion exerts a force on the pin in an inward direction (e.g., toward the support recess) when the pin is displaced in an outward direction opposite the inward direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some examples, a brake assembly is configured to compress a brake disc stack to reduce and/or limit rotational motion of a wheel about a wheel axis. The brake assembly is configured to transmit a compression force on the disc stack to a backing plate. The backing plate is configured to transmit the compression force to a torque tube via one or more torque pads. A torque pad includes a pin supported by a support portion of the torque pad. The pin is configured to insert into a support recess of a boss when the boss supports the torque pad. The support portion of the torque pad is resiliently biased, such that the support portion exerts an force on the pin in an inward direction when the pin is displaced in an outward direction opposite the inward direction.