Wet Plate Brake Cooling Circuit Bypassing Lubricant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake assemblies in work machines require complex hardware and control logic to minimize lubricant flow during disengagement, leading to inefficient energy expenditure and increased parasitic losses.
Innovation Solution
A liquid lubricant and cooling circuit that distributes liquid between and around interdigitated annular friction plates based on their displacement, creating a gap for reduced lubricant flow when the brake assembly is disengaged, thereby minimizing parasitic losses without the need for valve control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a valve and control system are used to minimize lubricant flow through friction plates during disengagement, then parasitic losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly automatically adjusts lubricant flow based on its own operational state. When the brake is disengaged, the friction plates naturally separate, creating a gap that allows lubricant to bypass the plates without requiring external control. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for valves and control systems while minimizing parasitic losses during disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts lubricant flow paths based on the brake engagement state. During engagement, lubricant flows between the friction plates for cooling. During disengagement, the plates move apart and lubricant flows around them, automatically adjusting the flow pattern to match operational requirements without external intervention.
2Temperature
If lubricant flow is continuously maintained through friction plates, then cooling is improved, but parasitic losses increase during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant flow path dynamically changes based on brake engagement. When engaged, plates are compressed together and lubricant flows between them for cooling. When disengaged, plates separate and lubricant flows around them, automatically reducing flow through the friction material and minimizing parasitic losses without compromising cooling during active braking.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the brake assembly have different lubricant flow characteristics. The design allows lubricant to flow between friction plates where cooling is needed during engagement, while allowing bypass flow around the plates during disengagement. This localized flow control optimizes both cooling and efficiency without requiring active control systems.
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 solution simplifies the reduction of lubricant flow during disengagement, significantly minimizing parasitic losses and enhancing system reliability and cost-effectiveness by allowing lubricant to bypass the friction plates during brake disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid lubricant and cooling circuit provides liquid between the annular friction plates for distributing liquid between the annular friction plates when the plates are engaged with one another and around and through the annular friction plates when the plates are disengaged as a function of the displacement of said friction plates relative to one another and to said housing for reducing parasitic losses when the brake assembly is not engaged
Data Source
AI summary
An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.