Self-Centering Wet Clutch Brake Plate With Tapered Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wet brake disks suffer from limited heat transfer due to suboptimal groove patterns, leading to entrapped air and hot pockets, and lack a self-centering feature, resulting in brake drag and reduced power performance.
Innovation Solution
A brake disk with a radially-symmetrical groove pattern featuring tapered V-shaped grooves that intersect and form triangular and diamond-shaped portions, ensuring oil flow and self-centering, allowing for efficient heat transfer and hydraulic separation from separator plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional square-cut groove patterns are used in brake disks, then manufacturing is simple, but heat transfer is limited due to entrapped air and hot pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using tapered grooves that are narrower at the inner diameter and wider at the outer diameter, rather than uniform square-cut grooves. This asymmetric geometry allows oil to flow more effectively from the inner to outer diameter, preventing air entrapment and improving heat transfer while remaining manufacturable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved or tapered groove profiles instead of straight square-cut grooves. The curved geometry follows the radial flow path of oil more naturally, reducing turbulence and air entrapment, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency without significantly complicating manufacturing
2Power
If brake disks lack a self-centering feature, then structure is simpler, but brake drag increases and power performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered groove pattern serves a dual function: it provides heat transfer pathways and simultaneously creates a hydraulic centering effect. As oil flows through the tapered grooves, pressure differential automatically centers the brake disk between separator plates, eliminating the need for additional centering features while improving power performance
Solution Approach 2:
The groove pattern is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heat transfer, oil flow management, and self-centering. This multi-functionality reduces overall structural complexity by eliminating the need for separate centering mechanisms while enhancing power performance
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
The solution enhances heat transfer, reduces brake drag, and improves energy efficiency and durability by ensuring consistent oil flow and self-centering, thereby maintaining optimal performance and extending the brake disk's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the groove pattern includes a plurality of grooves, where each of the plurality of grooves includes an inlet defined at the first diameter and an outlet defined at the second diameter
Implementation Method 2
As the brake disk rotates, the oil can flow from an inner diameter of the disk towards the other diameter thereof. As the oil flows from the inner diameter to the outer diameter, heat can be transferred and removed from the brake disk
Implementation Method 3
the brake disk includes a separation or centering feature. During a braking event, the brake disk is engaged by separator plates that are disposed on both sides of the disk. As the brake is released, the piston releases pressure against the separator plates
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a brake disk for a brake assembly. The disk includes an annular body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The disk also includes friction material coupled to the body and substantially covering at least one side thereof. The friction material forms a first diameter and a second diameter, where the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The disk further includes a groove pattern defined in the friction material. The groove pattern includes a plurality of grooves, where each of the plurality of grooves includes an inlet defined at the first diameter and an outlet defined at the second diameter. The inlet defines a first width and the outlet defines a second width such that the first width is greater than the second width.