Brake drum assembly with dust collection via through holes

Abstract

The invention relates to a brake drum assembly for braking at least one vehicle wheel that rotates about a rotation axis, the brake drum assembly comprising: a brake drum configured to rotate about the rotation axis and having a ring section extending circumferentially about the rotation axis and an end wall section extending at an angle to the rotation axis, the brake drum having an inner surface bounding at least part of a receiving space of the brake drum; at least one brake dust collector that faces an outer surface of the brake drum, wherein the brake drum comprises at least one through-hole providing a path through which brake dust can move from the receiving space to the dust collector.

Claims

1. Brake drum assembly for braking at least one vehicle wheel that rotates about a rotation axis, the brake drum assembly comprising: a brake drum configured to rotate about the rotation axis and having a ring section extending circumferentially about the rotation axis and an end wall section extending at an angle to the rotation axis, the brake drum having an inner surface bounding at least part of a receiving space of the brake drum; at least one brake dust collector that faces an outer surface of the brake drum, wherein the brake drum comprises at least one through-hole providing a path through which brake dust can move from the receiving space to the dust collector.

2. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the brake drum comprises at least one of a radially inner surface of the ring section and a first face of the end wall section; and/or wherein the outer surface of the brake drum comprises at least one of a radially outer surface of the ring section and a second face of the end wall section.

3. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole extends through the ring section.

4. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole extends through the end wall section.

5. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector overlaps with the through hole.

6. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector comprises at least one of the following materials: an adhesive material; a magnetic material; an air-permeable material; a porous material.

7. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector comprises at least one circumferential section, extending along at least part of the radially outer surface of the ring section.

8. Brake drum assembly according to claim 7, wherein the circumferential section extends in a ring-like manner along the entire circumference of the ring section.

9. Brake drum assembly according to claim 7, wherein the circumferential section overlaps with the ring section along at least part of an axial dimension of the ring section.

10. Brake drum assembly according to claim 7, Wherein the brake dust collector comprises a collector drum comprising the circumferential section and the collector end wall section and wherein the brake dust collector comprises at least one of the following materials: an adhesive material; a magnetic material; an air-permeable material; a porous material.

11. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector comprises at least one collector end wall section that extends along at least a part of the end wall section of the brake drum.

12. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector comprises a material that is lighter than a material of the brake drum.

13. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein the brake dust collector is fixed to the brake drum.

14. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the through-hole has a decreasing cross-sectional area when viewed from the inner surface of the brake drum towards the outer surface of the brake drum.

15. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, the brake drum having at least one of: a fixing portion for fixing the brake dust collector thereto; the at least one through-hole extending through the end wall section of the brake drum; wherein a cross-section of the through-hole has a decreasing cross-sectional area when viewed from the inner surface of the brake drum towards the outer surface of the brake drum.

16. Brake drum assembly according to claim 1, the brake dust collector comprising a collector drum having a circumferential section extending about the rotation axis, a collector end wall section extending at an angle to the rotation axis and wherein the brake dust collector comprises at least one of the following materials: an adhesive material; a magnetic material; an air-permeable material; a porous material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the attached schematic figures. Throughout said figures, same or similar features may be marked with same reference signs.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drum brake system comprising a brake drum assembly according to a first embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the brake drum assembly system of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a drum brake system comprising a brake drum assembly according to a second embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the brake drum assembly of FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a drum brake system comprising a brake drum assembly according to a third embodiment.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front view of the brake drum assembly of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of part of a brake drum of a brake drum assembly according to a fourth embodiment.

(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of part of a brake dust collector of a brake drum assembly according to a fifth embodiment.

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of part of a brake dust collector of a brake drum assembly according to a sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a drum brake system 1 comprising a brake drum assembly 10 according to a first embodiment. The brake drum assembly 10 comprises a brake drum 12 and a brake dust collector 14. In the first embodiment as well as in any of the further embodiments, the brake dust collector 14 and the brake drum 12 are each configured according to embodiments of the invention and, just like the brake drum assembly 10, represent independent aspects of the invention.

(12) The brake drum assembly 10 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis R. The cross-sectional plane of FIG. 1 as well as of the cross-sectional views in any of the remaining figures comprises the rotation axis R. For rotating about the rotation axis R, the brake drum assembly 10 is fixed to a vehicle wheel or axle component. The vehicle wheel is not shown in detail but its position is generally indicated by reference sign 2. A hub section 16 is provided for implementing said fixation.

(13) Also, optional through holes 18 are illustrated which are configured to receive bolts for fixing the brake drum 12 to a vehicle wheel or axle component. Even though illustrated otherwise, the through holes 18 are preferably not covered by the brake dust collector 14.

(14) Alternatively, the through holes 18 may be used to insert a bolt or some other mechanical fixing element for fixing the brake dust collector 14 to the brake drum 12.

(15) The brake drum 12 has an end wall section 20 extending at an angle and in particular orthogonally to the rotation axis R. The end wall section 20 is generally shaped as a circular plate-shaped member. The brake drum 12 also has a ring section 28 extending around the rotation axis R and concentrically with respect thereto. Accordingly, the brake drum 12 defines a circular cylinder having one open base surface (i.e. the base surface opposite to the end wall section 20).

(16) An inner surface 22 of the brake drum 12 comprises a radially inner circumferential surface of the ring section 28 and a first axially inner face 24 of the end wall section 20. Said inner surface 22 bounds a receiving space 26 of the brake drum 12 in which further components of the drum brake system 1 are received. As a mere example, these include a schematically illustrated brake force actuator 29, two brake shoes 30 and a resetting spring 33, all of which are configured according to known solutions.

(17) The brake dust collector 14 is shaped similarly to the brake drum 12. Accordingly, it comprises a collector end wall section 27 extending along the end wall section 20 of the brake drum 12. Also, it comprises a ring-like circumferential section 30 extending along the ring section 28 of the brake drum 12.

(18) As evident from FIG. 1, the brake dust collector 14 faces an outer surface 32 of the brake drum 12, said outer surface 32 comprising an outer circumferential surface of the ring section 28 and a second face 34 opposite the first face 24 of the end wall section 20. Put differently, the brake dust collector 14 resembles the shape of the brake drum 12 and receives the brake drum 12 and/or at least surrounds the outer circumferential surface of its ring section 28.

(19) It can also be seen that an axial dimension (e.g. length or width) of the ring section 28 is almost completely (or entirely) covered by the circumferential section of the brake dust collector 14. Also, the brake dust collector 14 is generally arranged in a constant distance of less than 1 cm to respectively opposite portions of the outer surface 32 of the brake drum 12.

(20) In the shown example, the brake dust collector 14 has a homogeneous structure and material, e.g. a metallic mesh. In said mesh, brake dust particles may be trapped.

(21) The brake dust particles reach the brake dust collector 14 via through holes 36 extending through the brake drum 12. In the shown example, a number of radially extending through holes 36 is provided in the ring section 28. The number and distribution of said through holes 36 in a circumferential an axial direction as not limited, but the overall number is higher than 10. The through holes 36 provide a pretty connection between the receiving space 26 and the brake dust collector 14. Specifically, they extend from the inner surface 22 of the brake drum 12 to an outer surface 32 thereof, so that brake dust particles generated at the brake shoes 30 can travel from an interior of the brake drum 12 to its exterior. There, they are collected by the brake dust collector 14 whose circumferential section 30 overlaps with and covers the openings 36.

(22) FIG. 2 is a front view of the brake drum assembly 12 of FIG. 1 without the further components 29, 30, 33 of the brake drum assembly 10 of FIG. 1 with. Accordingly, the rotation axis R extends orthogonally to the image plane. In this case, the distribution of the through holes 36 in a circumferential direction is indicated. The through holes 36 are regularly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e. are spaced apart by similar angular distances of e.g. 45. Further, the ring like the extension of the circumferential section 30 of the brake dust collector 14 is visible.

(23) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a drum brake assembly 10 with the depicted views being generally similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. A difference to the first embodiment is the provision of through holes 36 also in the end wall section 20 of the brake drum 12. These through holes 36 may generally be provided additionally or alternatively to the through holes 36 in the ring section 28.

(24) Again, the number and position of the through holes 36 in the end wall section 20 is merely by way of example. The front view of FIG. 4 shows an exemplary position of selected ones of the through holes 36 in the end wall section 20. Even though not depicted, said through holes 36 may be distributed regularly in a circumferential direction and/or may be arranged in any part of the end wall section 20.

(25) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a drum brake assembly 10, with the depicted views being generally similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. The third embodiment is similar to the first one with the only difference concerning additional fixing members 40 for fixing the brake dust collector 14 to the brake drum 12. As evident from FIG. 6, the fixing members 40 may be distributed in a circumferential direction along the brake dust collector 14 and ring section 12.

(26) From FIG. 5, it is evident that the fixing members 40 can be located at and connected by the end wall section 20 and collector end wall section 27 and, additionally or alternatively, at the circumferential section 30 and ring section 28. The fixing members 40 may e.g. be clamps, bolts or mechanical engagement structures. In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the brake drum 12 comprises recesses 42 for receiving each of the fixing members 14. These recesses 42 (only marked for one of the fixing members 40 in FIG. 5) form fixing portions of the brake drum 12. Additionally or alternatively, the optional through holes 18 may, when receiving a bolt for connecting to the brake dust collector 14, form a respective fixing portion.

(27) FIG. 7 shows a part of a brake drum 12 according to a further embodiment. The depicted part includes part of the ring section 28 as well as of the end wall section 20. A number of through holes 36 is shown, whose exact number, distribution and orientation is non-limiting. Again, the through holes 36 extend radially from an inner surface 22 of the brake drum 12 to an outer surface 32. They extend along a longitudinal axis L. When viewed along said longitudinal axis L, a cross-sectional area (e.g. as defined by an extension orthogonally to the longitudinal axis L) decreases. This narrowing or tapering of the through holes 16 towards the surroundings of the brake drum 12 increases a flow speed of the brake dust to the outside. In the depicted example, the cross-sectional area decreases continuously which is particularly effective for increasing said flow speed.

(28) FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial views of the brake dust collector 14 according to further embodiments. FIG. 8 again depicts a version similar to that of the previous figures with the brake dust collector 14 being a homogeneous and in particular a one-piece member. In FIG. 9, the brake dust collector 14 is non-homogeneous but comprises a number of separate members which comprise a material that is different from one another. Specifically, a collector drum 44 is shown.

(29) At Its inside, a dust collecting lining 46 is provided. The collector drum 44 is made of a lightweight material that is e.g. not configured to collect brake dust. It has a stabilising and/or carrying function. The dust collecting lining 46, on the other hand, comprises a dust collecting material according to any of the examples disclosed herein. It is arranged to face the outer surface 32 of the brake drum 12 and, similar to the examples of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, configured to be arranged oppositely to and overlapping with the through holes 36 of said brake drum 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(30) 1 brake system 10 brake drum assembly 12 brake drum 14 brake dust collector 16 hub section 18 through-hole/fixing portion 20 end wall section 22 inner surface 24 first surface 26 receiving space 27 collector end wall section 28 ring section 29 actuator 30 brake shoe 32 outer surface 33 resetting spring 34 second surface 36 through-hole 40 fixing member 42 fixing portion 44 collector drum 46 dust collecting lining R rotation axis L longitudinal axis