Rotor Drive Key Assembly for Heat- and Vibration-Stable Wheel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel brake systems face challenges in securely attaching rotor drive keys to wheels, particularly due to the risk of fasteners loosening under heat cycling and vibration, which can lead to premature wear and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of rotor drive keys with a U-shaped cross-section that dovetail with the wheel boss, combined with axially extending fasteners that thread into the wheel boss, provides secure attachment against radial, tangential, and axial movements, reducing the likelihood of fastener loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to attach rotor drive keys to wheels, then the attachment method is simple, but the fasteners may loosen under heat cycling and vibration leading to premature wear and maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into multiple functional elements: the rotor drive key with U-shaped cross-section, the wheel boss with receiving features, and axially extending fasteners. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to prevent loosening under heat cycling and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor drive key employs a U-shaped cross-section that is asymmetric in design, with specific features positioned to engage with corresponding features on the wheel boss. This asymmetric configuration creates a mechanically locked arrangement that resists loosening forces from vibration and thermal expansion differently in various directions, enhancing overall attachment stability.
2Reliability
If the rotor drive key is securely attached to prevent loosening, then attachment reliability improves, but the structural complexity of the drive key increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rotor drive key structure with integrated attachment features directly into the key body. The U-shaped cross-section incorporates recesses and engagement surfaces that combine the functions of the drive key and the fastening mechanism into a single integrated component, reducing the need for separate attachment hardware while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor drive key features nested structural elements where the U-shaped cross-section contains internal recesses and geometric features that receive and secure the axially extending fasteners. This nesting arrangement allows the fastening mechanism to be embedded within the drive key structure itself, providing secure retention while maintaining a compact overall form.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an assembly includes a rotor drive key configured to be positioned over a wheel boss defined by a wheel. A drive key body defines a trough configured to receive the wheel boss. An inner surface of the drive key body is configured to establish a conforming contact with an outer profile of the wheel boss and oppose relative motion of the rotor drive key in a radial direction of the wheel. The rotor drive key includes a tab having a tab aperture configured to receive a fastener extending in an axial direction of the wheel and engaging the wheel boss.