BRAKE DISC AND A VEHICLE

Abstract

A brake disc configured to be connected to a vehicle axle and to be squeezed between brake pads, comprising a central disc body (30) having a first and a second side (32, 34), wherein the second side faces in the opposite direction compared to the first side; a first and a second disc plate (36, 38), each disc plate having a wear surface for producing friction when a brake pad is pressed against the wear surface. The disc plates are releasably secured to said first side and second sides, respectively, so as to enable the first and second disc plates to be replaced by other disc plates. A connecting member (64) prevents rotation of the disc plates relative to the central disc body, the connecting member extending from the first disc plate, through a passage (58) in the central disc body, to the second disc plate. Also presented is a vehicle comprising such a brake disc.

Claims

1. A brake disc configured to be connected to a vehicle axle and to be squeezed between brake pads, comprising: a central disc body having a first side and a second side, wherein the second side faces in the opposite direction compared to the first side, a first disc plate and a second disc plate, each disc plate having a wear surface for producing friction when a brake pad is pressed against the wear surface, wherein the first and the second disc plates are releasably secured to the first side and the second side, respectively, of the central disc body, so as to enable the first and the second disc plates to be replaced by other disc plates, and a connecting member for preventing rotation of the disc plates relative to the central disc body, the connecting member extending from the first disc plate, through a passage in the central disc body, to the second disc plate, wherein the passage is defined by a passage wall and the connecting member is resilient, such that it is compressible for insertion into the passage and for subsequently expanding towards its original shape so as to press against the passage wall.

2. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the connecting member extends into each one of the first and the second disc plates.

3. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein each one of the first and the second disc plates comprises a cavity for housing a respective end of the connecting member.

4. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the passage through the central disc body has a cross-sectional area which substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the connecting member.

5. (canceled)

6. The brake disc of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is or comprises a pin.

7. The brake disc of claim 1: wherein the connecting member is a first connecting member the passage is a first passage, and wherein the brake disc further comprises at least a second connecting member extending from the first disc plate, through at least a second passage in the central disc body, to the second disc plate.

8. The brake disc of claim 7, further comprising a geometrical centre axis, wherein the second connecting member is connected to the first and the second disc plates and to the central disc body at a shorter radial distance from the geometrical centre axis than the first connecting member.

9. The brake disc of claim 7: wherein the first connecting member is one of a plurality of first connecting members and the first passage is one of a plurality of first passages, wherein each one of the plurality of first connecting members extends from the first disc plate, through a respective first passage in the central disc body, to the second disc plate, and wherein the plurality of first connecting members are distributed along a first geometrical circle.

10. The brake disc of claim 9: wherein the second connecting member is one of a plurality of second connecting members and the second passage is one of a plurality of second passages, wherein each one of the plurality of second connecting members extends from the first disc plate, through a respective second passage in the central disc body, to the second disc plate, wherein the plurality of second connecting members are distributed along a second geometrical circle, and wherein the second geometrical circle is encircled by the first geometrical circle.

11. The brake disc of claim 10, wherein each one of the plurality of first connecting members along the first geometrical circle is paired with a corresponding one of the plurality of second connecting members along the second geometrical circle, such that the first and the second connecting members of each pair are located on a common radius.

12. The brake disc of claim 1: wherein each one of the first and the second disc plates has an inner periphery and an outer periphery extending from the wear surface to an oppositely located disc body facing surface, and wherein at least one of the inner and outer periphery has a taper in a direction from the disc body facing surface towards the wear surface.

13. The brake disc of claim 12: wherein, for each one of the first and the second disc plates, the inner periphery has a taper in a direction from the disc body facing surface towards the wear surface, wherein the central disc body comprises a first ledge mating with the inner periphery of the first disc plate and a second ledge mating with the inner periphery of the second disc plate, and wherein the mating ledges are inclined with the same angle as the taper of the first and the second disc plates, respectively, for counteracting axial movement of the disc plate relative to the central disc body.

14. The brake disc of claim 12, further comprising: an enveloping sleeve releasably secured to an outer circumference of the central disc body so as to apply a radially inwardly directed pressure to the first and the second disc plates, wherein the outer periphery has the taper wherein the enveloping sleeve has a mating tapered portion.

15. The brake disc of claim 14: wherein the width of the enveloping sleeve is greater than the width of the outer circumference of the central disc body, and wherein the enveloping sleeve covers the first and the second disc plates.

16. The brake disc of claim 14, wherein the enveloping sleeve forms a circle around the outer circumference of the central disc body.

17. A vehicle comprising the brake disc of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a brake disc according to at least one exemplary embodiment, mounted on a wheel end hub.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the brake disc in FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brake disc in FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a brake disc according to at least another exemplary embodiment, mounted on a wheel end hub.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a brake disc according to at least a further exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Although the vehicle 1 is illustrated in the form of a truck, other types of vehicles, such as busses, construction equipment, trailers or passenger cars may be provided in accordance with the invention.

[0043] The truck (vehicle) comprises a cab 2 in which a driver may operate the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 comprises a number of road wheels 4, herein illustrated as two pairs of wheels, however in other embodiments there may be a different number of wheels, such as three pairs, four pairs or more. In the cab 2 a driver may press a brake pedal with his/her foot in order to activate the brake or brakes. Activation of the brake causes brake pads to be pressed against an inventive brake disc (not illustrated in FIG. 1) connected via a wheel end hub to an axle that rotates the road wheels 4.

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a brake disc 10 according to at least one exemplary embodiment, mounted on a wheel end hub 20. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the brake disc 10 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brake disc 10 in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4. The brake disc 10 is configured to be connected via the wheel end hub 20 to a vehicle axle (not illustrated) and to be squeezed between brake pads (not illustrated).

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 2-5 and, for explanatory reasons in particular with reference to the exploded view of FIG. 3, the brake disc comprises a central disc body 30 having a first side 32 and a second side 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The second side 34 faces in the opposite direction compared to the first side 32. The brake disc 10 comprises a first disc plate 36 and a second disc plate 38, each disc plate 36, 38 having a wear surface 40 for producing friction when a brake pad is pressed against the wear surface 40. The wear surfaces 40 face away from the central disc body 30. Each disc plate also has an oppositely facing, i.e. a disc body facing surface 42. In the exploded view of FIG. 3, the wear surface 40 of the first disc plate 36 and the disc body facing surface 42 of the second disc plate 38 are visible.

[0046] The first disc plate 36 is releasably secured to the first side 32 of the central disc body 30 and the second disc plates 38 is releasably secured to the second side 34 of the central disc body 30. When the first and second disc plates 36, 38 have been sufficiently worn out, they may easily be replaced with new disc plates, without needing to dismount the central disc body 30 from the wheel end hub 20. An enveloping sleeve 50 may be releasably secured to an outer circumference 52 (see FIG. 3) of the central disc body 30 so as to apply a radially inwardly directed pressure to the first and second disc plates 36, 38. The enveloping sleeve 50 may be replaced by other peripherally applied means, such as clamps for supporting the disc plates 36, 38.

[0047] The central disc body 30 is substantially circular and ring-shaped having a central opening through which the wheel end hub 20 may protrude. The central disc body 30 will thus be supported by the wheel end hub 20, while the removable disc plates 36, 38 are or will be mounted to the central disc body 30. The central disc body 30 may suitably be provided with cooling channels to allow air to circulate and cool the brake disc 10. In FIG. 3 cooling channel apertures 54 are visible on the radially outer circumference 52 of the central disc body 30. Said radially outer circumference 52 may also be referred to as the radially outer periphery of the central disc body 30. In this connection, it should be noted that the brake disc 10 has a geometrical centre axis x around which it rotates with the wheel axle. The geometrical centre axis x may thus also be referred to as a rotational axis. Radial directions are thus directions running perpendicularly away from the geometrical centre axis x. Circumferential directions run around the geometrical centre axis x. Axial directions extend along or in parallel with the geometrical centre axis x. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, cooling channel apertures 54 are visible at the radially inner periphery 56 of the central disc body 30.

[0048] As best seen in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 the central disc body 30 may be provided with a plurality of passages 58 in the form of through holes which extend all the way from the first side 32 of the central disc body 30 to the second side 34 of the central disc body 30. The function of the passages 58 will be explained further down in this description. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the plurality of passages 58 are distributed along two concentric imaginary circles, and are arranged in pairs along radii in different radial directions from the geometrical centre axis. Thus, each passage 58 in the inner imaginary circle is paired along a radius from the geometrical centre axis with a passage 58 in the outer imaginary circle. It should be noted that in other embodiments the passages 58 may be distributed differently and need not be paired or distributed along imaginary circles. It should furthermore be noted that although a plurality of passages 58 are illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of the drawings, in other embodiments the number of such passages may be fewer, for example just one passage.

[0049] The central disc body 30 may on each one of the first and second sides 32, 34 have an annular ledge 60 near its inner periphery 56 at the central hole, for supporting the first and second disc plates 36, 38, respectively (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5). The two ledges 60 may be referred to as first and second ledges 60 for receiving the first and second disc plates 36, 38, respectively.

[0050] The first and second disc plates 36, 38 are also ring-shaped and thus the wheel end hub will extend through the central hole of the first and second disc plates 36, 38 as well. The first and second disc plates 36, 38 may be made of any suitable friction material (metallic, ceramic, etc.) and/or may be provided with a coating surface providing appropriate frictional properties. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first and second disc plates 36, 38 may be provided with a plurality of holes 62 having a distribution pattern which corresponds to the distribution pattern of the plurality of passages 58.

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of connecting members 64 which are configured to be inserted into said passages 58 of the central disc body 30, each connecting member 64 fitting into one of said passages 58. As can be seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the length of the connecting members 64 may be such that they extend partly into the holes 62 of the first and second disc plates 36, 38, but preferably not to the wear surface 40 of the disc plates 36, 38. Suitably, the length of the connecting members 64 is shorter than the acceptable wear thickness of the disc plates 36, 38. Put differently, if the disc plates 36, 38 are envisaged to be replaced when they have worn down to a certain reduced thickness compared to their initial thickness, at such reduced thickness the connecting members 64 should still be short from the worn surface. The function of the connecting members 64 is to prevent relative rotation between the disc plates 36, 38 and the central disc body 30. It should be understood that although a plurality of connecting members 64 have been illustrated, it is conceivable (similarly to the above discussion concerning the passages 58) to have fewer connecting members 64, such as a single connecting member 64. Since the central disc body 30 is suspended from the wheel end hub, and the first and second disc plates 36, 38 may in turn be suspended from the central disc body 30, the disc plates 36, 38 could run the risk of rotating relative to the central disc body 30, resulting in a lower braking capacity. By providing a connecting member 64 (or a plurality of connecting members 64) which interconnect the central disc body 30 with both the first disc plate 36 and the second disc plate 38, relative rotation is efficiently counteracted, without the disadvantages resulting from using separate screws for each one of the disc plates and the exposure of screw heads at the wear surfaces 40.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiments, a first plurality of connecting members 64 extend in a first plurality of passages 58 which are distributed along an imaginary outer circle, and a second plurality of connecting members 64 extend in a second plurality of passages 58 which are distributed along an imaginary inner circle. Other patterns are of course also conceivable.

[0053] The connecting members 64, which are herein illustrated as pins, may suitably be resilient in the radial direction. For instance, they may be compressed when inserted into the first and second disc plates 36, 38 and central disc body 30, and then expand so as to provide a tight fit with the walls defining the passages 58 in the central disc body 30. In some exemplary embodiments, said passages 58 through the central disc body 30 has a cross-sectional area which substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the connecting members 64.

[0054] It should be understood that the disc plates do not necessarily need to have through holes 62 for accommodating the ends of the connecting members 64, it would also be conceivable to have blind bores extending from the disc body facing surface 42. Thus, in a general sense, each one of the first and second disc plates 36, 38 may comprise one or more cavities for housing a respective end of the one or more connecting members 64, regardless of the cavities being in the form of blind bores or through holes.

[0055] As can be seen in the drawings, in the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the width of the enveloping sleeve 50 is greater than the width of the outer circumference 52 of the central disc body 30. Suitably, as seen in the drawings, the enveloping sleeve 50 covers the first and the second disc plates 36, 38, i.e. its width substantially corresponds to the total width (or thickness) of the radially outer peripheries of the disc plates 36, 38 and the central disc body 30. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the enveloping sleeve 50 may have a smaller width and only partly covering the width of the disc plates 36, 38. In still other exemplary embodiments, the enveloping sleeve 50 may have an even smaller width wherein it may provide a force onto the disc plates 36, 38 via one or more other components which at least partly cover the outer peripheries of the disc plates 36, 38.

[0056] The enveloping sleeve 50 has been illustrated as forming a complete circle around the outer circumference of the central disc body (and around the disc plates), although other configurations are conceivable. As best seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the enveloping sleeve 50 has a circular central portion 70 flanked on either side by two edge portions 72 extending from the central portion 70 to a respective edge 74. Each one of the edge portions 72 has a mating surface 76 for mating with the outer periphery 78 of the first and second disc plates 36, 38, respectively (outer periphery 78 is indicated in FIG. 3). Each one of the mating surfaces 76 are inclined relative to the geometrical centre axis for counteracting axial movement of the disc plates 36, 38 relative to the central disc body 30. The angle of inclination may for instance be 5?-80? relative to the geometrical centre axis, for instance 10?-50?, such as 15?-30?.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiments, the thickness of each one of the edge portions 72 of the enveloping sleeve 50 increases from the central portion 70 towards the respective edge 74.

[0058] The inclination of the mating surfaces 76 is such that it slopes towards the geometrical centre axis as it extends away from the central disc body 30. Thus, for each one of said mating surfaces 76, the distance between the geometrical centre axis and the mating surface 76 is relatively larger adjacent to the central portion 70 of the enveloping sleeve 50 and relatively smaller adjacent to the respective edge 74 of the enveloping sleeve 50.

[0059] In a corresponding manner, the outer periphery 78 of each disc plate 36, 38 (which outer periphery 78 extends from the wear surface 40 to an oppositely located disc body facing surface 42) tapers in a direction from the disc body facing surface 42 towards the wear surface 40, wherein said mating surfaces 76 of the enveloping sleeve 50 has the same angle of taper as said outer periphery 78 of the first and second disc plates 36, 37, respectively.

[0060] Each one of the first and second disc plates 36, 38 has an inner periphery 80 (see FIG. 3) extending from the wear surface 40 to the disc body facing surface 42. The inner periphery 80 may be tapered, and suitably also the mating ledge 60 (see FIG. 5) of the central disc body 30 is inclined with the same angle as said taper of the inner periphery 80 of the disc plates 36, 38. The ledge 60 on each side is thus adapted to receive said inner periphery 80 of a respective one of the disc plates 36, 38. The ledge 60 comprises a free end 61 and a connected end 63. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the ledge 60 may suitably be inclined such that the distance between its free end 61 and the geometrical centre axis is greater than the distance between its connected end 63 and the geometrical centre axis.

[0061] The enveloping sleeve 50 may be secured by fastening means to the central disc body. For instance, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the fastening means 82 may be or may comprise bolts, screws of rivets, which may be loosened when the enveloping sleeve is to be removed so as to allow replacement of worn disc plates. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the fastening means may not be visible from the outside, such as for instance in the form of mutually cooperating snap fit portions on the enveloping sleeve and the central disc body, respectively (this may for instance be the case in FIG. 2). In other exemplary embodiments, there is no need for any particular fastening means, the enveloping sleeve my form a very tight fit with the central disc body and the disc plates, for instance providing a radially inward pressure of the disc plates towards an inclined ledge (such as the above discussed ledge 60) to counteract axial movement of the disc plates relative to the central disc body.

[0062] As also illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the number of connecting members, passages and holes may be different in different embodiments. In FIG. 6, for instance, only one hole 62 is shown for inserting a single connecting member into one passage of the central disc body. It should thus be understood that features from any one of the herein described embodiments, whether discussed under the heading Summary or under the heading Detailed Description of Example Embodiments of the Invention, may as long as they are compatible, be freely adapted to and implemented in any other one of the exemplary embodiments. For instance, the fastening means 82 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 may be implemented for the brake disc 10 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0063] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a brake disc according to at least a further exemplary embodiment. This embodiment has most features in common with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, and therefore, common features are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 the first disc plate 36 is made up by three separate disc plate segments 36a, 36b, 36c, which may be individually mounted to the central disc body 30. Once mounted, they make up the complete first disc plate 36. Similarly the second disc plate 38 is made up by three separate disc plate segments 38a, 38b, 38c, which may be individually mounted to the central disc body 30. Using a plurality of disc plate segments (i.e. two or more disc plate segments) to make up a complete disc plate may facilitate the mounting procedure, in particular if the disc plate is to be fitted to an inclined ledge 60 of the central disc body 30.

[0065] FIG. 7 also illustrates a segmented enveloping sleeve 50. The enveloping sleeve 50 is made up by three separate enveloping sleeve segments 50a, 50b, 50c, which may be individually mounted to the outer circumference 52 of the central disc body 30. Once mounted, they make up the complete enveloping sleeve 50. Using a plurality of enveloping sleeve segments (i.e. two or more enveloping sleeve segments) to make up a complete enveloping sleeve may facilitate the mounting procedure, in particular if the enveloping sleeve 50 has tapered edges 72 which mate with the outer periphery 78 of the disc plates 36, 38 (which may have a corresponding taper).

[0066] It should be understood that the segmented disc plates 36, 38 and the segmented enveloping sleeve 50 shown in FIG. 7, may in other exemplary embodiments be combined with other features than illustrated in FIG. 7. For instance, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the brake disc may comprise segmented first and second disc plates, and a non-segmented enveloping sleeve, such as the enveloping sleeves illustrated in the previously discussed drawing figures. Likewise, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the brake disc may comprise a segmented enveloping sleeve and non-segmented first and second disc plates, such as the disc plates illustrated in the previously discussed drawing figures. The number of connecting members 64, passages 58 and holes 62 may also be different than illustrated in FIG. 7. For instance, in some exemplary embodiment there may be only one connecting member for each pair of disc plate segments.

[0067] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.