Brake disc with symmetric groove pattern

Abstract

A brake disc for a wheeled vehicle; said brake disc including opposing annular braking surfaces; each of said surfaces provided with an identical pattern of disparate arcuate groove segments; said groove segments arranged in groups oriented in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions; each of said groups including, one series of at least two arcuate groove segments lying along a common arc extending from proximate a hub of said braking surface to proximate the periphery of said braking surface, one inward arcuate groove segment extending from proximate said hub to a point intermediate said hub and said periphery, and one outward arcuate groove segment extending from a point intermediate said hub and said periphery to proximate said periphery.

Claims

1. A brake disc for a wheeled vehicle comprising: opposing annular brake band surfaces; each of said opposing surfaces having (i) an inner circumferential edge, an outer circumferential edge, and a width defined between said inner circumferential edge and said outer circumferential edge; and (ii) a pattern of arcuate groove segments which are arranged in groups, wherein each group of said arcuate groove segments includes: (a) a pair of inner arcuate groove segments comprising first inner termini disposed proximate the inner circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, wherein said inner arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate the inner circumferential edge to proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface by arcing convexly throughout their length between the first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments and said second distal termini of said inner arcuate groove segments, the inner arcuate groove segments are symmetrical about a first radial line of symmetry and arc convexly in opposing clockwise and anticlockwise directions from their respective first inner termini, and the first inner termini of said pair of inner arcuate groove segments are disposed on opposite sides of the first radial line of symmetry, (b) a pair of outer arcuate groove segments comprising first outer termini disposed proximate the outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, wherein said outer arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface to proximate said outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface by arcing convexly throughout their length between said second distal termini of said outer arcuate groove segments and said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments, the outer arcuate groove segments are symmetrical about a second radial line of symmetry and arc convexly in opposing clockwise and anticlockwise directions from their respective outer termini disposed on opposite sides of the second radial line of symmetry, and wherein ends of said first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments and ends of said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments are formed feathered so as to gradually reach full depth as the groove segments extend away from said first inner termini and first outer termini.

2. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein each of said opposing annular brake band surfaces includes four groups of arcuate groove segments; wherein each occupies a quadrant of said brake disc.

3. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein each pair of outer groove segments has an outer clockwise arcing groove segment and each pair of inner groove segments has an inner clockwise arcing groove segment, wherein the outer clockwise arcing groove segment is located along an arc defining the inner clockwise arcing groove segment; wherein said outer clockwise arcing groove segment is separated from said inner clockwise arcing groove segment by a gap.

4. The brake disc of claim 3, further comprising a pair of intermediate arcuate groove segments; wherein said pair of intermediate arcuate groove segments is disposed symmetrically about a third radial line of symmetry.

5. The brake disc of claim 4, wherein the pair of intermediate arcuate groove segments has an anticlockwise arcing groove segment having a midpoint lying on said arc defining said clockwise arcing groove segment of said pair of inner arcuate groove segments, and wherein said midpoint of said anticlockwise arcing groove segment is located in the gap separating said pair of outer groove segments from said pair of inner groove segments.

6. The brake disc of claim 4, wherein said third radial line of symmetry of said pair of intermediate arcuate groove segments lies approximately midway between said first radial line of symmetry of said pair of inner arcuate line segments and said second radial line of symmetry of said pair of outer arcuate line segments.

7. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein each of the arcuate groove segments is convex with respect to the inner circumference of the braking surface.

8. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the second radial line of symmetry of said pair of outer arcuate groove segments lies approximately 15 degrees advanced in a clockwise direction from the first radial line of symmetry of said pair of inner arcuate groove segments.

9. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the second radial line of symmetry of said pair of outer arcuate groove segments lies approximately 30 degrees advanced in a clockwise direction from the first radial line of symmetry of said pair of inner arcuate groove segments.

10. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein said brake disc provides identical braking performance independent of direction of rotation.

11. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the opposing annular brake band surfaces have an identical pattern over their entire surface comprised of the arcuate groove segments arranged in groups.

12. A method of providing equal braking performance in a brake disc for a vehicle in both clockwise and anticlockwise rotation; wherein said brake disc comprising opposing annular brake bands, and wherein said method including the step of machining a repeating groove pattern in each surface of the opposing brake bands of said disc; wherein each surface of the opposing brake bands of said disc having an inner circumferential edge, an outer circumferential edge, and a width defined between said inner circumferential edge and said outer circumferential edge; wherein each of said repeating groove patterns including a group of arcuate groove segments; and wherein each group of the arcuate groove segments comprising: (a) a pair of inner arcuate groove segments comprising first inner termini disposed proximate the inner circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, wherein said inner arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate the inner circumferential edge to proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface surface by arcing convexly throughout their length between the first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments and said second distal termini of said inner arcuate groove segments; and (b) a pair of outer arcuate groove segments comprising first outer termini disposed proximate the outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, wherein said outer arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface to proximate said outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface by arcing convexly throughout their length between said second distal termini of said outer arcuate groove segments and said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments; and wherein a first arcuate groove segment of each said pair is arcing convexly throughout its length towards said mid portion of the width of said brake band in a clockwise direction, a second arcuate groove segment of each said pair is arcing arcing convexly throughout its length towards said mid portion of the width of said brake band in an anticlockwise direction; and wherein ends of said first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments and ends of said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments are formed feathered so as to gradually reach full depth as the groove segments extend away from said first inner termini and first outer termini.

13. An identical pattern of grooves provided in opposing annular brake band surfaces of a disc brake disc to provide equal braking performance independent of direction of rotation of the brake disc, wherein: each of said opposing surfaces having an inner circumferential edge, an outer circumferential edge, and a width defined between said inner circumferential edge and said outer circumferential edge said pattern comprising: four sets of arcuate grooves arranged radially around each of said opposing brake band surfaces; each set of arcuate grooves including at least two pairs of radially distributed inner and outer arcuate groove segments; the arcuate groove segments of each of said pairs arcing convexly throughout their length symmetrically in clockwise and anticlockwise directions about a respective radial line; wherein said inner arcuate groove segments comprising first inner termini disposed proximate the inner circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, and wherein said inner arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate the inner circumferential edge to proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface by arcing convexly throughout their length from the first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments to said second distal termini of said inner arcuate groove segments; and wherein said outer arcuate groove segments comprising first outer termini disposed proximate the outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface and second distal termini disposed proximate a mid portion of the width of said brake band surface, wherein said outer arcuate groove segments extending outwardly from proximate said mid portion of the width of said brake band surface to proximate said outer circumferential edge of said brake band surface by arcing convexly throughout their length from said second distal termini of said outer arcuate groove segments to said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments; and wherein ends of said first inner termini of said inner arcuate groove segments and ends of said first outer termini of said outer arcuate groove segments are formed feathered so as to gradually reach full depth as the groove segments extend away from said first inner termini and first outer termini.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

(2) FIG. 1 is an orthogonal side view of one side a brake disc provided with patterns of arcuate groove segments according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brake disc of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 is an orthogonal side view of one side of a brake disc provided with patterns of arcuate groove segments according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the brake disc FIG. 3,

(6) FIG. 5 is a partial cross section of the brake disc of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing the machining pattern of groove segments adjacent the inner peripheries of the brake band surfaces,

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial cross section of the brake disc of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing the machining pattern of groove segments adjacent the outer periphery of the brake band surfaces and groove segments at an intermediate position.

(8) FIG. 7 is a view of a first set of groove segments forming a part of the groove pattern of the second preferred embodiment of the invention,

(9) FIG. 8 is a view of a second set of groove segments forming a part of the groove pattern of the second preferred embodiment of the invention,

(10) FIG. 9 is a view of a third set of groove segments forming a part of the groove pattern of the second preferred embodiment of the invention,

(11) FIG. 10 shows the complete pattern of groove segments according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention as formed by the combination of the sets of groove segments of FIGS. 7 to 9,

(12) FIG. 11 is a general perspective view of brake disc according to the invention showing thermal indicating markings on outer rims of the brake bands of the brake discs in a further preferred embodiment of the invention,

(13) FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a set of the thermal markings of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) First Preferred Embodiment

(15) With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a brake disc 10 comprises opposing annular brake bands 12 and 14 supported by a central hub 16. Brake bands 12 and 14 may form the outer surfaces of a solid disc or as shown in FIG. 2, comprise two discs interconnected by arrays of pillars 18 which allow air flow between the brake bands, as well known in the art.

(16) Each outer surface 20 and 22 of the brake bands 12 and 14 is provided with groups 24 of arcuate groove segments 26, machined into the respective outer surfaces. Preferably, the groove segments 26 are approximately 3 mm in width with a depth of approximately 1.5 mm.

(17) The following description refers to the surface 20 of brake band 12 as shown in FIG. 1, but it will be understood that the identical arrangement of groove segments is applied to the surface 22 of the opposite brake band 14. Preferably the patterns on the two opposing sides are rotationally offset by 30 degrees.

(18) Each group 24 of arcuate groove segments 26 of this preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises arcuate groove segments oriented in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The groups are four in number and occupy 90 degree quadrants of the brake band surface 20.

(19) Each group includes one pair of inner arcuate groove segments 27 and 28, extending outwardly from proximate the inner circumferential edge 30 of the brake band surface 20, across approximately three quarters of the width, or at least past the mid portion, of the brake band. Groove segments 27 and 28 are disposed about a radial line of symmetry 32, and arc convexly in opposing clockwise and anticlockwise directions, with their inner termini 34 and 36 adjacent the radial line of symmetry 32.

(20) Each of the groove segments 27 and 28 is associated with one of a pair of outer shorter arcuate groove segments, 38 and 40 respectively. The first of these, shorter groove segment 38, extends outwardly from proximate the mid portion of the width of the brake band surface 20 and arcs, also convexly, in a clockwise direction to a point at the periphery 42 of the brake band surface 20, and proximate the radial line of symmetry 32 of groove segments 27 and 28.

(21) The second shorter groove segment 40 is equal in extent to the first shorter groove segment 38, but arcs convexly in the opposite anticlockwise direction. The two shorter groove segments 38 and 40 are symmetrical about a radial line of symmetry 44 advanced approximately 15 degrees in a clockwise direction from the radial line of symmetry 32 of the pair of inner groove segments 27 and 28.

(22) This pattern of groove segments 26 is repeated for each quadrant of the brake bands 12 and 14.

(23) Second Preferred Embodiment

(24) In a second preferred embodiment of the invention and with reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a similar brake disc 100 as previously described above is similarly provided with an arrangement of groove segments 226, identical on each opposing brake band 212 and 214.

(25) The groove segments 226 are arranged also in four repeating groups 224 of groove segments; each group 224 thus occupying a 90 degree quadrant of a brake band surface 220 and 222. For convenience of description, each quadrant may be divided into three sectors of approximately 30 degrees. Each group 224 includes a pair of innermost groove segments 227 and 228 disposed symmetrically about a first 30 degree radial line of symmetry 232, and have their inner termini 234 and 236 adjacent the inner circumferential edge 230 of the brake band. These inner groove segments extend outwardly, convexly clockwise and anticlockwise respectively, to approximately three quarters of the width of the brake band surface 220.

(26) In this embodiment, the pattern also includes a pair of clockwise and anticlockwise outer groove segments 238 and 240 respectively, symmetrical about the second 30 degree radial line of symmetry 244. The preferred arrangement is such that the first of these outer groove segments, the clockwise groove segment 238, lies on the arc of clockwise inner groove segment 227, being separated from the distal end of that groove segment by a gap 235. Each of these outer groove segments 238 and 240 extends approximately the outer one third of the width of the brake band, with their distal termini proximate the outer periphery 242 of the brake band surface 220.

(27) Each quadrant 224 includes one further pair of clockwise and anticlockwise intermediate groove segments 246 and 248 respectively. Intermediate groove segments 246 and 248 are disposed symmetrically about a radial line of symmetry 250 lying approximately midway between the lines of symmetry 232 and 244 of the pairs of inner and outer groove segments respectively. The arrangement is such that the anticlockwise intermediate groove segment 246 passes through the gap 235 and such that its midpoint lies on the arc defining the previously described inner groove segment 227 and outer groove segment 238.

(28) It can be seen that each of the embodiments described above provides for an equal number and total lengths of clockwise and anticlockwise arcuate groove segments on each brake band of the brake disc. This allows the discs to be equally effective in braking regardless of the direction of rotation of the disc.

(29) The pattern of arcuate grooves of this second embodiment, may alternatively be described as a combination of the patterns of three sets of grooves. With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, each of the three sets can be described with reference to four radial lines (100, 102, 104 and 106) (with specific relative orientation for each set) which define four equal annular portions of the brake band surface (120); that is adjoining pairs of these four radial lines subtend right angles.

(30) Each of the three sets of arcuate grooves comprises four pairs of grooves, in which each pair comprises a clockwise groove and an anticlockwise groove arranged symmetrically about a radial line.

(31) With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 10, in the first set of the three sets of arcuate grooves, each pair of arcuate grooves (127, 128) arc convexly (clockwise and anticlockwise) from proximate an inner periphery (130) of the brake band to outer ends (135, 137), somewhat past a mid portion of the brake band surface (120).

(32) As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 10, the four radial lines for the second set of pairs of arcuate grooves (138, 139) are rotationally offset in a clockwise direction relative the orientation of the four radial lines for the first set of arcuate grooves. This rotational offset is approximately 28 degrees, and is such that each clockwise arcuate groove of this second set lies substantially on a continuation of an arc defined by a corresponding clockwise arcuate groove of the first set, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 10.

(33) The pairs of arcuate grooves (138, 139) of the second set arc convexly from proximate the outer periphery (142) of the brake band, towards the respective outer ends (135, 137) of the arcuate grooves (127, 128) of the first set. The respective outer ends (151, 153) of the arcuate grooves (138, 139) of this second set are separated from the corresponding outer ends (135, 137) of the first set by gaps (135) as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 10.

(34) With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the four radial lines (100, 102, 104 and 106) for the third set of pairs of arcuate grooves (146, 148) are rotationally offset in an anticlockwise direction relative to their original orientation for the first set of arcuate grooves (127, 128) as shown in FIG. 7. In this case the rotational offset is approximately 28 degrees, with the offset such that each of the anticlockwise arcuate groove of the pair of grooves (146, 148) of this third set extends through a gap (135) between the outer ends of corresponding arcuate grooves of the first set (127, 128) and the second set (138, 139). The midpoints of these arcuate grooves (146, 148) of the third set lie approximately on the arcs defined by the arcuate grooves (127; 128) of the first set. Each pair of arcuate grooves (146, 148) of the third set are convexly from first ends (155, 157) proximate a mid portion of said brake band surface, to second ends (161, 163) towards the outer periphery (242) of the brake band.

(35) FIG. 10 shows the three sets of arcuate grooves combined now to form the complete pattern of grooves on the brake band surface.

(36) It can be seen that the grooves of the three sets are arranged so that there is at least some overlap of the grooves. That is, there is no annular band of the surface of the brake bands which is not interrupted by the grooves of at least one of the sets of grooves. Thus the first ends (155, 157) of the arcuate grooves of the third set lie at a smaller radial distance from the centre of the disc than the radial distance of outer ends (135, 137) of the arcuate grooves (127, 128) of said first set, so that these ends overlap radially.

(37) Similarly, the second ends (161, 163) of the arcuate grooves (146, 148) of the third set, lie at a greater radial distance from the centre of the disc than the radial distance of the outer ends (151, 153) of the arcuate grooves (138, 139) of the second set, again providing an overlap.

(38) Third Preferred Embodiment

(39) In a further preferred embodiment according to the invention, the brake rotor brake bands and grooving conforms to the that described in either of the above first and second embodiments. In this preferred embodiment however, the outer rims (300, 302) of the brake bands are provided with at least one set (304) of colour markings as indicated in FIG. 10.

(40) Preferably, each set (304) of the at least one set, comprises a painted stripe extending transversely from the edge of the outward facing surface of the outer brake band (302) to the edge of the inward facing surface of the inner brake band (300).

(41) Preferably also, the sets (304) of colour markings are regularly arranged around the circumference of the brake disc and are sufficient in number such that at least one set will be visible to an observer regardless of the position the brake disc has assumed when the vehicle to which it is fitted has come to rest.

(42) In a preferred arrangement as shown in FIG. 12, each set (304) is comprised of three spaced apart painted stripes (306), (308) and (310). The colours are distinct one from the other so as to be readily distinguishable and are preferably green, orange and red with all the sets repeating the pattern of colours in the same order.

(43) The paints used for the stripes (306,308,310) are thermally sensitive paints which react to elevated temperatures in the metal to which they have been applied and react by changing to different colours when the temperature of the supporting surface reaches predetermined elevated temperature bands.

(44) Preferably, in the present embodiment of the invention, the green paint of stripe (306) changes to white in the temperature band of 458° C. to 856° C., the orange stripe (308) changes to yellow between 550° C. and 1022° C., while the red stripe (310) also changes to white between 630° C. and 1166° C.

(45) The brake disc of the present embodiment is supplied together with a colour interpretation chart (not shown) so that the vehicle owner or operator can refer to the chart and compare the current colour of the stripes with that of the chart. The chart may additionally contain information as to possible interpretations of the current colour of a disc under different braking conditions as an aid to assessing braking performance.

(46) Groove Machining

(47) In each of the above embodiments, the arcuate groove segments are machined in a particular way. Typically grooves machined in disc surfaces are introduced into the disc material by a gradual plunging of the ball cutter tool as it is moves along the trajectory of the groove path, and exits in a similar way by gradually retracting the tool tip as it approaches the end of the groove path.

(48) In grooves which end at some intermediate point on the disc brake band, that is in the area of maximum applied force by the brake callipers, such “feathered” groove ends tend to react adversely with the brake pad, in some cases causing a tearing of the disc material. Nevertheless, feathered or gradually produced groove ends are advantageous for those groove ends close to either the outer or inner peripheries of the brake band, in that they reduce the possibility of hair line fractures developing between the groove end and the disc periphery. These areas close to the inner and outer peripheries of the brake band surface are in any case not swept by the brake pads.

(49) It can be seen, particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, that the grooves of the present invention retain the advantages of feathered ends 50 of groove ends at both the inner periphery 30 and the outer periphery 42 (in FIG. 1) and feathered ends 254 of groove ends at both the inner and outer peripheries 230 and 242 (in FIG. 3). However the distal ends (52 and 252 respectively) of these grooves are not feathered. Nor are both ends of the intermediate grooves 246 and 248 so feathered.

(50) In both embodiments of the invention, the preferred machining method for groove ends adjacent to the brake band surface peripheries, is to gradually introduce the tool tip (preferably an 80 degree 5 mm ball cutter) into the disc material as the tool moves away from the periphery along the groove path until the required depth is reached, then machine in towards the middle portion of the brake band. When the distal end of the groove path is reached, tool motion parallel to the disc surface is arrested and the tool withdrawn from the groove. Preferably, the ball cutter is plunged into the disc surface to a maximum depth at which the groove width at the surface is 3 mm.

(51) The grooves machined in this way thus have full groove depth substantially up to the ends (52/252) of the grooves in the middle portion of the brake bands, and tests have indicated that this groove end configuration eliminates the problem of disc material tearing. At the same time the method retains the advantages associated with a feathered groove end configuration at the brake band peripheries.

(52) In the case of the Second Preferred Embodiment, the pair of intermediate arcuate groove segments 246 and 248 are machined such that the grooves are of the same depth throughout. These groove segments are machined by plunging the tool tip to the full depth of the groove at the start of the groove and retracting the tool tip at the end of the groove after the tool tip motion parallel to the brake surface has been arrested.

(53) Test have further shown that the arrangement of groove segments described in each of the embodiments, provides for excellent braking performance as well as providing the major benefit of equal performance regardless of direction of rotation.

(54) The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.