Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
  • F16D65/00—Parts or details
  • F16D65/0031—Devices for retaining friction material debris, e.g. dust collectors or filters
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
  • F16D2129/00—Type of operation source for auxiliary mechanisms
  • F16D2129/06—Electric or magnetic
  • F16D2129/065—Permanent magnets

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a disk brake pad.
• the invention relates to a disk brake pad or assembly of the kind equipped with means for collecting the powders produced due to the wear of the friction material, aiming therefore at reducing the primary pollution caused by the dispersion of such powders into the environment.
• Disk brake pads are commonly used in vehicles of any kind, in particular motor vehicles, such as motor cars, motorcycles, railroad vehicles and so on.
• brake pads comprise a supporting base to which a layer of friction material adheres.
• the layer of friction material generates a friction on the brake disk when the material is pressed against the disk due to a push, generally obtained by hydraulic pistons, against the supporting base.
• the friction material mainly consisted of a mixture of several materials where asbestos was prevailing. At present however use of such material is prohibited and this kind of mixture is nowadays mostly replaced by mixtures mainly comprising binding resins, metals, abrasives and lubricants.
• Analyses carried out on the powders produced due to the wear of the currently used friction material reveal the presence of metal substances, such as zinc, copper, barium, aluminum, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, sulphur, silicon and sodium, many of which, as known, are noxious to living beings.
• a first group of solutions such as for instance the ones disclosed in EP1256739, DE102005006465 and WO8102690, exploit the phenomenon of the magnetic attraction of metal particles in order to avoid powder dispersion into the environment.
• More complex solutions such as for instance the one disclosed in DE4240873, associate the brake assembly with an independent sucking unit equipped with ducts and a collecting reservoir.
• a brake pad according to the invention in an embodiment can mainly differ from conventional pads in that it has a hollow supporting base provided with at least one channel communicating with the surface of the supporting base with which the layer of friction material is associated, said channel being also arranged to pass through the friction material when the channel is provided in correspondence of the portion of said surface covered by said layer.
• a further advantage of the invention is the provision of a second collecting chamber communicating with the first chamber in the supporting base and removable for the removal of the material accumulated therein.
• chamber has to be understood as including but not limited to an open or boxed in space and/or channels extending through the base of a brake pad and/or through the brake pad, such as but not limited to the friction material attached to the base.
• a solution is provided that allows effectively collecting the powders produced due to the wear of the friction material in order to allow the disposal and possibly the recycling of the same powders, for instance for manufacturing new brake pads.
• the collecting device according to the invention allows further reducing dispersion of the powders produced due to the wear of the pad through a mechanical action. Moreover, thanks to a removable internal lining of the collecting device, powder collection advantageously takes place effectively and by using means with limited cost.
• Such liner can be provided in at least one chamber or several chambers, if available.
• a further, but not the last advantage of the invention is the provision of magnetic field inside at least one chamber, or in both or all chambers when multiple chambers are provided, which fields are capable of exerting a magnetic attracting force on the particles of material produced due to the wear of the friction layer and the brake disk.
• the brake pad according to the invention can be advantageously manufactured with limited modifications to the structure of the conventional pads.
• a further advantage of the invention is moreover the possibility of housing the brake pad according to the invention within the existing brake assemblies, without need to modify them.
• a brake pad can be defined by a supporting base with which a layer of friction material is associated.
• a wall of said supporting base having associated therewith the layer of friction material is passed through by at least one channel communicating with a chamber, defined in
• a disk brake assembly of this disclosure can comprise at least one caliper arranged to house at least one brake pad.
• the at least one brake pad can be a brake pad as claimed in any one of the claims.
• a brake assembly which can be as defined here above, can have associated therewith a collecting device comprising a first body, preferably arc-shaped, with a box structure.
• a hollow intended to receive a complementary member made of a material capable of retaining the powders can be provided within at least part of the collecting device.
• a method of this disclosure can comprise collecting powders generated by or coming from a brake pad of a vehicle brake system, comprising the step of providing at least one chamber associated with a brake pad, wherein a magnetic field is generated in or for said chamber, attracting powder resulting from friction on the brake pad and collecting said powder inside said at least one chamber.
• At least one liner is used in or for said at least one chamber, for retaining powder inside said chamber.
• FIG. 1 is a front view of the brake pad according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II - II in
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 2:
• - Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the collecting member
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the collecting member
• FIG. 6 is an overall view of a disk brake assembly incorporating the invention.
• - Fig. 7 discloses in partial cross section a brake pad with collecting chambers
• - Fig. 8 discloses a brake arrangement seen from a top view, partially in cross section
• FIG. 9A - B show a brake pad in opposite side views respectively;
• FIG. 9C - D show a brake pad in perspective views
• brake pad has to be understood as meaning at least but not limited to a combination of elements comprising a base and at least one pad of friction material attached thereto or an integral part thereof.
• brake pads commonly at least two such brake pads are used for each wheel, at least one to each side of a brake disc to which the respective wheel is attached.
• brake pads only one of such brake pads is disclosed, by way of example. Similar or identical brake pads can be used on one or on both of said opposite sides of the brake disc.
• Normal direction of rotation of a brake disc is to be understood as a direction of rotation which will occur when the vehicle moves in a forward direction, straight or in a curve or at least a direction of movement in which the vehicle is or will be predominantly move when supported by at least said wheel.
• Engine side of a brake system has to be understood as meaning a side facing inward with respect to the vehicle, i.e. towards a center of the vehicle, wheel side is to be understood as the opposite, outward facing side, i.e. the side to which the wheel is associated.
• powder or similar indications has to be understood as at least encompassing powder, such as but not limited to particles resulting from brake action of a brake arrangement, falling for example in Particle Matter (PM) classes PM10, PM5 and/or PM2.5, materials including but not limited to the materials as disclosed in the introduction to the specification, for example but not limited to particles or materials including particles at least partly attracted by magnetic fields. Definitions and descriptions, as well as norms for Europe of Particle Matter (PM) can be found for example in the European Directive Air 2008/50/EG.
• PM Particle Matter
• the brake pad according to the invention which has been generally denoted by reference numeral 11, comprises a supporting base 13, made for instance of metal, in or at which a first collecting chamber 17a can be defined. Moreover, base 13 has associated therewith, in conventional manner, an external layer 15 of friction material intended to slow the rotation of disk DS, of which the prevailing rotation direction is shown by arrow "F". According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, layer 15 of friction material, adhering to wall 19 of supporting base 13, is passed through by at least one channel 21 communicating with the first collecting chamber 17a through a corresponding channel 23 formed in wall 19 of supporting base 13.
• Said channels 21 and/or 23 can be either perpendicular to the surface of supporting base 13 or inclined, and/or can include one or more bends or be straight.
• the channels 21 and/or 23 can extends partly or entirely along the surface of the supporting base 13.
• layer 15 of friction material and, correspondingly, wall 19, include a plurality, for instance between 2 and 100, for example between 10 and 50 such channels, such as but not limited to about a dozen, of said channels 21 and 23, regularly or irregularly distributed over the surface of layer 15.
• At least one device 25 capable of generating a magnetic field can be arranged inside or for the first chamber 17a.
• such device 25 can be provided outside the chamber 17a and/or in a wall of said chamber 17a.
• Multiple devices 25 for generating a magnetic field can be provided for and/or inside the relevant chamber 17a.
• a brake pad 11 or arrangement can optionally include a collecting reservoir 27, which is preferably removable.
• a collecting reservoir 27 In the collecting reservoir 27 a corresponding second collecting chamber 17b can be defined.
• a liner 70 can be provided, which liner can be made of a material that can capture at least part of the powder generated by or released form the friction material 15 during friction between the material 15 and a brake disc DS.
• the liner can for example be made partially or entirely of a disposable material, such as but not limited to cellulose based material, recyclable material, biodegradable material and/or cleanable material.
• the liner 70 can preferably be removed from the or each relevant chamber 17a, 17b together with powder PW attached thereto, and can be replaced by a new or at least rejuvenated or emptied and/or cleaned liner 70. In fig. 3 such liner 70 is shown for the second chamber 17b.
• a liner can be provided in the first chamber 17a, whereas a combined liner 70 can be provided for both chambers 17a, b.
• the at least one chamber 17a, 17b can be emptied in another way, and for example regularly or at least once prior to replacing the brake pad li as such, for example when its legal or technical life span is reached or surpassed.
• reservoir 27 is associated with wall 29 of supporting base 13, opposed and substantially parallel to wall 19, in correspondence of a threaded bore 31.
• reservoir 27 therefore has a substantially cylindrical shape with an open first base 33 and a closed opposite base 35, and it is externally threaded at least in correspondence of its edge 37 surrounding open base 33.
• reservoir 27 houses, inside the second chamber 17b, for instance on the bottom in correspondence of closed base 35, at least one device 25 capable of generating a magnetic field.
• at least one such device 25 capable of generating a magnetic field can be arranged inside or for the second chamber 17b. In the latter case such device 25 can be provided outside the chamber 17b and/or in a wall of said chamber 17b.
• Multiple devices 25 for generating a magnetic field can be provided for and/or inside the relevant chamber 17b.
• Such devices 25 can be for instance permanent magnets or electromagnets and, in the latter case, they are powered for instance by the electric circuit of the vehicle on which the brake pad is mounted.
• One such device can for example be suitable for use at relatively high temperatures, for example up to or above about 100 degrees Celsius, and could have for example a grade 35, which can be understood as a magnet having a maximum energy product of 35MGOe (35 Mega Gauss Oersted), which is only disclosed herein by way of example and should by no means be understood as limiting the scope in any way.
• 35MGOe 35 Mega Gauss Oersted
• supporting base 13 includes a portion 13 without friction material, and at least one slot or a mesh 41 defining a corresponding channel communicating with collecting chamber 17a is defined in correspondence with such portion.
• the first chamber 17a can be formed by an open space between the channels 21, 23, 41 and the second channel 17b.
• Powder can be forced into at least one of the chambers 17a, 17b through the channels 21, 23, 41 at least partly by powder following said powder entering the channels 21, 23, 41, and/or be pulled into said at least one chamber at least partly be said at least one magnetic field inside at least one of said chambers 17a, 17b.
• Rotational movement of the disc DS along the friction material 15 and thus passed the channels 21, 23, 41 can also add to the movement of the powder into the channels 21, 23, 41.
• pad 11 may include channels 21 and 23 passing through layer 15 and wall 19, respectively, and lack slot 41, or it may lack channels 21, 23 and include said slot 41 on the portion lacking the friction material, or yet it may include both channel 21 passing through the friction material and channel 23 passing through wall 19, and slot 41.
• slot 41 is arranged downstream layer 15 of friction material in the prevailing rotation direction of disk DS shown by arrow "F".
• the powder can be removed and possibly sucked out, for example by removing reservoir 27.
• the reservoir 27 can be replaced by a plug.
• the transversal thickness of brake pad 11, which is the sum of the thicknesses of supporting base 13 and layer 15 of friction material, may be adjusted by taking into account the need to house pad 11 within the existing brake assemblies. Consequently, in order a chamber 17a, b with a sufficiently great collecting volume can be defined, it might be necessary to increase the thickness of supporting base 13 to the expense of the thickness of layer 15 of friction material.
• Brake systems 81 of the relevant type comprising at least one brake pad comprise normally a caliper 83 comprising hydraulic cylinders or such actuators to press the or each brake pad 13 against the brake disc DS in order to provide sufficient friction there between for reducing the speed of the vehicle associated i.e. equipped therewith.
• Calipers 83 usually can have an open top or opening 72 in the top, between bridges 71 connecting both sides of a caliper 83, through which the disc DS can be seen between the brake pads 11 on either side thereof. Through this opening 72 cooling of the disc DS and/or brake pads 11 can be obtained.
• a caliper 83 comprising hydraulic cylinders or such actuators to press the or each brake pad 13 against the brake disc DS in order to provide sufficient friction there between for reducing the speed of the vehicle associated i.e. equipped therewith.
• Calipers 83 usually can have an open top or opening 72 in the top, between bridges 71 connecting both sides of a caliper 83, through which the disc DS can
• At least one device 25 for generating a magnetic field can be provided in or near said opening 72 for attracting powder from the friction material 15 and/or the disc DS entering said opening 72.
• the device 25 can be provided on a relatively open structure 73 extending into and/or across and/or over said opening 72, such as a netting, preferably a metal netting or trellis work or other structure allowing air to pass, such that heat dissipation is still possible because the opening 72 is not closed off by said device 25 and/or supporting structure 73.
• the structure 73 and/or the device 25 can retain the powder until it is removed by a user or the like in environmentally friendly manner, such as for example for environmentally acceptable disposal or reuse of the powder.
• a collecting device generally denoted by reference numeral 61, which can be optionally associated with the caliper holder where brake pad 11 is mounted, in order to form or increase the capacity of powder retention.
• Said collecting device comprises a first, preferably arc- shaped body 63 with a box structure, made for instance of metal or plastics, where a hollow 65 is defined that is intended to receive a complementary member 67 made of a material capable of retaining the powders, in particular fine powders, for instance a cellulose-based material.
• said body 63 can be any suitable material capable of retaining the powders, in particular fine powders, for instance a cellulose-based material.
• the complementary member 67 can be a liner similar to and/or made of a similar material as the liners 70 as disclosed in reference to the chambers 17a and 17b.
• a collecting device 61 of fig 4 or 5 can be used in combination with an arrangement as disclosed in fig. 1 - 3 or with a known brake arrangement, for example but not limited to arrangements as described in the introduction to the specification.
• collecting device 61 may internally and/or externally incorporate devices 25 capable of generating a magnetic field, which are preferably located between member 67 and the wall of cavity 65.
• member 67 is preferably removable and thus it can be replaced, for example when it is at least partly full or worn. Moreover, said member 67 can be fastened inside cavity 65 by known means, such as Velcro, press studs or adhesive.
• a brake assembly generally denoted by reference numeral 81, which is equipped with calipers 83 where a pair of pads 11 according to the invention is housed.
• Said brake assembly is associated with a brake disk DS and further includes a collecting device 61 located downstream calipers 83 with respect to the preferred rotation direction of disk DS shown by arrow "F".
• the caliper 83 has two sides, each housing at least a brake pad 11, and on at least one side at least one hydraulic cylinder for actuating the brake pads 11.
• the two sides are connected by spaced apart bridge elements 71, such that the opening 72 is formed, at a top side and at least partly in said sides.
• At least one second chamber 17b or at least part of the relevant reservoir 27 can extend at least partly into said opening 72, preferably to a side of the caliper 83.
• Fig. 7 shows, partly in cross section, a pad 11 in an alternative embodiment.
• the base 13 has a wall 19 with a rim 19A defining a recessed area 17.
• a wall 29 comprising a reservoir 27 is provided, which wall 29 closes off the recessed area 17, thus forming a first chamber 17a.
• the reservoir 27 again defines a second chamber 17b.
• the wall 29 is provided with wing elements 74 which are folded over a side of the rim 19A and partly over wall 19 for attaching the wall 29 to the base 13.
• the reservoir 27 can be integral with the wall 29, and can have any desired shape or dimension.
• the reservoir can be provided as a separate element, for example as disclosed in fig. 1 - 3.
• a liner 70 can be provided but can also be formed differently or can be omitted.
• Fig. 8 shows in top view a brake system or assembly, in an embodiment comprising both chambers 17a, b and collecting device 61.
• a brake system of the present disclosure could also only comprise one or two of said chambers 17a, b and/or said collecting device 61, in any combination, or more chambers. Openings or channels 21, 23, 41 could also extend at least in part or all directly into the collecting device 61.
• the caliper 83 comprises a first side 84, for example the engine side, and an opposite second side 85, for example the wheel side.
• the caliper 83 will be attached to a vehicle in a known manner, preferably at an engine side.
• the first and second side 84, 85 are connected by and preferably made integral with bridges 71, in a known manner.
• the caliper 83 can be a standard type for the respective vehicle.
• the first side 83 comprises a chamber 86 having for example a cylindrical shape, which can form part of a main or additional brake cylinder system.
• a hydraulic or brake fluid supply line 87 can extend into said chamber 86, in a known manner.
• a brake piston 89 is provided, in a known manner.
• the piston 89 is hollow and for example cylindrical and movably sealed against said chamber 86 by a seal system or arrangement 88, such that the piston can de facto form a piston of the brake piston cylinder arrangement, such that when brake fluid or hydraulic fluid is supplied to said chamber 86, the piston is actuated.
• the reservoir 27 extends into the hollow piston 89, which piston abuts the wall 29 of the pad 11 and thus upon said actuating of the piston 89 the pad 11 is moved towards the disc DS relative to the caliper side 83, such that the brake is activated and the disc DS is prevented from or at least restrained in possible rotation, thus braking the vehicle.
• the reservoir 27 fits spaciously within said hollow reservoir, such that it can be placed and removed relatively easily.
• the reservoir 27 extends through the opening 72 to the relevant side of the caliper 83, and can be part of a so called passive brake pad 11, meaning that when the brake is activated, relative movement of the caliper 83 in side direction S, resulting from said fluid entering said chamber 86, will force the pad 11 at the second side 85 against the disc DS too.
• the device 61 can be provided with two bodies 63, one to each side of the disc DS, connected to the respective sides 84, 85 of the caliper 83, extending substantially alongside part of the disc DS, in the direction F downstream of the caliper 83.
• Each body 63 can be provided as a bent strip, forming a loop.
• the body or strip can be made of any suitable material.
• An attachment means such as friction material, Velcro, glue or any other suitable means can be provided on the strip, for attaching, preferably releasably, a member 67 to said bodies 63.
• the member 63 can be press fit or form retained within or on said bodies.
• the member 67 is in top view substantially C-shaped, such that it extends from one side 84 around the peripheral edge of the disc DS to the opposite second side 85.
• the member is hollow on the inside, i.e.
• the side facing the disc DS has an outer shape such that it fits, preferably snugly, within the loops formed by the bodies 63, to be attached thereto or at least held partly in position by said bodies, especially but not necessarily by the attachment means.
• the sides of the member 67 facing the disc DS can extend at a short distance from the adjacent surfaces 90 of the disc DS, for example in the order of millimeters or less, such that preferably no contact between the member and the disc will occur, whereas as little as possible of the powder can pass between the member and the disc, at least at the downstream end thereof, facing away from the caliper 83.
• the member 67 can be made of the same or different material as the liner 70 as discussed before.
• the member 67 can form one or more chambers 67A, on opposite sides 90 of the disc DS. If there are separate members 67 on said opposite sides, each member will provide at least one such chamber 67A.
• Covers 91 can be provided on either side 84, 85, over the respective parts of the member 67, especially within the bodies 63.
• devices 25 for generating a magnetic field can be provided, for generating such magnetic field with respect to and preferably in the chamber or chambers 92 formed within member 67 facing and open towards the disc DS. Powder will then be adhered at least partly to said member, at least partly attracted by the magnetic field.
• Devices 25 for generating magnetic fields can be chosen dependent on for example their use, the size of the chambers 17a, 17b and/or device 61, the size and type of vehicle, the materials used for the friction material 15 and/or the brake disc DS and other considerations, which will be directly clear to the skilled person.
• Fig. 9 shows a brake pad 11 in four different views.
• Fig. 9A shows the friction material 15 side, clearly showing entrances of channels 21 extending through the friction material 15.
• bracket elements 92 are provided, forming part of or being attached to the base wall 19 of the pad 11 or at least of or to the base 13.
• Channels 21 or at least the openings thereof can be of different size and/or shape, or can be identical, and can be regularly or irregularly spaced. The number, sizes and patterns of the channels can be chosen by a skilled person, based on factors defined by the specific application.
• fig. 9B the opposite side is shown, which in use extends at a side facing away from the disc DS. This shows the wall 19 with the openings 23 in communication with the channels 21. Fig. 9B clearly shows the recessed area 17 within the rim 19A.
• Fig. 9C shows in perspective view the pad 11 with the wall 29 comprising the reservoir 27 which includes the second chamber 17b, mounted over the wall 19 and especially against at least part of the rim 19A.
• Wings 74 are folded around part of the rim and wall 19, 19A for attaching the wall 29 with the reservoir 27.
• this is also shown in the pad 11, from a different angle.
• the reservoir 27 can have a height H extending from the wall 29, which can be greater than the thickness t of the friction material 15.
• the brackets 92 can be used for example for guiding the pads 11, for support and for limiting movement of the pad 11.
• Fig. 10A - 10G show in steps the configuration of a brake assembly 81 of the disclosure, in a combined embodiment of chambers 17a, 17b and collecting device 61. In other embodiment one or more of these can be left out or combined differently.
• Fig. 10A shows a caliper bracket 93, from one side 84, for example an engine side, showing a body 63 attached to one end thereof.
• the bracket 93 is substantially C- shaped and is in a known manner formed and provided with mounting openings 94 or such means for mounting the bracket to the further vehicle and/or for mounting the further part or parts of the brake system, especially of the caliper 83.
• the bracket 93 is shown, mounted over part of a brake disc DS.
• the normal direction of rotation F is shown, indicating that the body or bodies 63 is or are provided down stream from the caliper bracket 93, and, as will be discussed, of the caliper 83.
• the bracket 93 can be an integral part of the caliper 83 or can be provided separately, as is shown in fig. 10 and 11.
• the body or bodies 63 can also be an integral part of the bracket 93 and/or of the caliper 83.
• a pad 11 is shown in position in and/or on the bracket 93, in which the reservoir 27 and the wall 29 are clearly visible, the reservoir 27 extending substantially away from the disc DS.
• a magnet or such magnetic field generating device 25 may be comprised in or on the reservoir 27.
• Fig. 10D shows the caliper 83 mounted on the caliper bracket 93, attached by fasteners in openings 94.
• the reservoir 27 is substantially contained in the piston 89 of the caliper 83, such that the piston engages the wall 29.
• the piston can additionally or instead thereof engage the reservoir 27 for pressing the pad 11 against the disc DS.
• a cover 91 is shown, form a side, to be referred to as inner side 94 facing the disc DS when properly mounted to the body 63.
• a number of magnets or such devices 25 for generating a powder attracting field, such as a magnetic field is provided, at said inner side 94. They could also all or some be provided partly or entirely on the opposite, outer side of the cover or on the member 67.
• the member 67 is shown, held in position at least partly in the body 63, the chamber 67A of the member 67 facing the disc DS.
• the member 67 can for example be placed by pulling the bodies 63 slightly apart and inserting the member there between from and over the radial side of the disc DS and then releasing the bodies 63 again, which will then enclose or at least retain the member 67.
• the cover 91 is provided over the relevant side of the member 67, thus positioning the devices 25.
• Fig. 11 A - G show in steps similar to and partly coinciding with the steps as discussed with respect to fig. 10A - G, but seen from the opposite side 85, in this embodiment from the wheel side.
• the wheel side of the bracket 93 with the body 63 is shown, shown the two loops of the body 63, connected to the bracket 93.
• the bracket 93 is shown, mounted partly over the disc DS, showing one of the loops of the body 63 at the wheel side of the disc DS.
• the relevant pad 11 is shown, in position.
• the reservoir 27 of this side can be slightly oblong shaped, to fit within the opening 72 of the caliper 83, as is shown in fig. 11D.
• a cover 91 is shown, form a side, to be referred to as inner side 94, facing the disc DS when properly mounted to the body 63.
• a number of magnets or such devices 25 for generating a powder attracting field, such as a magnetic field is provided, at said inner side 94. They could also all or some be provided partly or entirely on the opposite, outer side of the cover or on the member 67.
• the member 67 is shown, held in position at least partly in the body 63, the chamber 67A of said member 63 facing the disc DS.
• the cover 91 is shown, placed over the relevant part of the member 67.
• Tests have been performed with pads 11 and a brake arrangement 81 of the present invention, which have shown that a high percentage of the powder or particles generated by braking with the pads can be collected into the chambers 17, 17a and/or 67a and/or by any device 25 provided in the arrangement 81, in combination.
• a brake arrangement 81 as shown in fig. 9 - 11 was used, on a regular test bank. Before mounting the arrangement 81 the weight of the friction materials 15 of the individual pads 11 was established, providing a starting weight. Then the disc DS was driven and braked regularly, providing friction and thus wear of the friction material 15 of the pads 11 and of the disc DS.
• the arrangement was dismantled and the weight of the remaining friction materials 15 of the pads was established, providing an end weight. Also the weight of the total amount of powder collected inside the chambers 17a, 17b and 67a was established. The difference between the start weight and the end weight of the friction material 15 of the pads was defined as the friction material consumption. The weight of the powder collected was compared with the material consumption, showing that a percentage of more than 90% of the friction material consumption could be collected in this prototype of a brake system 81 according to this disclosure. From comparative tests it has been shown that even more powder could be collected in said chambers 17a and 17 b and 67a, including material resulting from wear of the disc DS. This shows that indeed use of a brake assembly 81 and/or brake pads 11 and/or a collecting device 61 according to the present invention can lead to a massive reduction of powder coming from vehicle braking systems and arrangements entering into the environment in an uncontrolled manner.
• the pad 11 at the side of the brake cylinder- piston could for example be provided with a set of channels 21, 23, 41 which differ from the set of channels and/or openings of the other pad, for example a larger number of channels and/or openings, bigger channels and/or openings and/or a different position of such channels and/or openings on the side of the brake cylinder-piston than on the opposite side, or vice versa.
• optimizing can easily be done within the scope of this disclosure based on for example the vehicle type, materials used, brake forces available, pad sizes and dimensions and the like criteria.
• Providing removable and/or replaceable liners 70 an/or members 67 as disclosed here above can additionally or separately provide for easy maintenance of a brake arrangement, reduction or elimination of
• liners 70 could also be used in other brake arrangements, such as but not limited to arrangement as disclosed in the introduction to the specification. Liners 70 could be magnetically and/or statically charged, for enhancing adherence of powder to the liner.
• a brake pad 11 and/or brake arrangement 81 can for example be used as follows, for collecting powders generated by the brake pad of a vehicle brake system.
• a magnetic field is generated, in or for said chamber (17a, 17b, 67a), attracting powder resulting from friction on the brake pad (11) Said powder Is retained within said at least one chamber (17a, 17b, 67a).
• the chamber (17a, 17b, 67a) can be provided with a liner (70) or have a wall material suitable for the powder to adhere to.
• the chambers (17a, 17b, 67a) can be inspected and for example be cleaned out, emptied and/or provided with at least one new liner (70) or member (67) or complete device (61).
• the brake pads (11) When the brake pads (11) have outlived their technical life expectancy they may also be changed, in a normal manner.
• the present invention is by no means limited to the general and specific disclosures of embodiments as shown and/or described here above by way of example only. Combinations of parts thereof and alternatives thereto are also considered to have been disclosed and to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
• Means can be provided for providing an indication of the filling of one, more or all of the chambers (17a, 17b, 67a), for example electronic means, indicative for the moment the chambers need to be emptied or at least inspected and/or liners and/or members need to be taken care of, for example replaced, emptied and/or cleaned.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Braking Arrangements (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-09-18 EP EP09425362A patent/EP2309146B1/fr not_active Not-in-force
  • 2009-09-18 AT AT09425362T patent/ATE533958T1/de active
• 2010
  • 2010-09-17 WO PCT/NL2010/050607 patent/WO2011034431A1/fr active Application Filing
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