Patent Application
20070131499
The present invention relates to brake systems for use in vehicles.
Many different types of vehicle brake systems have evolved over the last 100 years ranging from pure mechanical devices to more sophisticated systems incorporating hydraulic and/or electromagnetic principals to brake or assist in braking the vehicle.
In all cases the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle must be absorbed by the braking system, wherein the kinetic energy is typically absorbed by being converted into heat. Modern vehicles are of significant mass and travel at significant speeds, hence producing a large amount of kinetic energy that must be dissipated quickly by conversion to heat in the brake system with minimal effort by the driver. Typically, this is accomplished in todays cars by hydraulically assisted brake pads (pucks) frictionally contacting brake disks (rotors) or drums.
Additionally, braking may be assisted by multi-brake pad (puck) independently controlled antilock braking. Although, these systems increase the safety and handling quality of the vehicle, the systems also increase the vehicle's weight, complexity and cost. By increasing the mass of the brake system the vehicles kinetic energy is increased at speed, wherein the increased mass also disadvantageously decreases the vehicles handling abilities and fuel efficiency.
One disadvantage of conventional brake systems is that heat generation, the mechanism by which the kinetic energy of the moving car is dissipated, has an adverse effect on the braking system's effectiveness and reliability. Generally, as the brake system continues to generate heat through multiple applications, the ability of the brake system to stop the car is decreased. The increase in stopping distance with multiple braking applications is commonly referred to as “brake fade”. Managing heat generation of the brake system, the brake systems mass, and the brake systems durability are significant challenges to car designers.
In light of the above, what is needed is a brake system that is lighter in weight, reliable, cost efficient, and provides improved safety, performance, and fuel efficiency in today's cars.
The present invention provides an inventive brake system, in which the braking surfaces are positioned along an interior surface of the rim portion of at least one wheel. The inventive brake system integrates the functions of the wheel, brake and the suspension taking advantage of aluminum's low weight, high thermal capacity, and high conductivity in dissipating heat while stopping the vehicle quickly, safely, and reliably. Broadly, the inventive braking system comprises:
a friction surface disposed along at least a portion of an inner surface of a wheel; and
a suspension component housing at least one extendable brake pad, wherein said brake pad frictionally engages said friction surface when in an extended position.
In one embodiment the friction surface may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the rim portion of the wheel. The friction surface may comprise a hard wear resistant material, such as a ceramic or carbide or organic metallic composites.
In one embodiment, the friction surface may be in the form of a friction ring disposed along an inner surface of the rim portion of the wheel. The friction ring may be mechanically or adhesively attached to the wheel's rim portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for braking a vehicle. Broadly, the inventive method of braking a vehicle comprises the steps of:
providing a wheel comprising a frictional surface disposed along at least a portion of an inner surface of said wheel;
providing at least one brake pad extendably mounted to a suspension component of a vehicle; and
contacting said at least one brake pad to said frictional surface.
a and 1b (prospective view) depict a brake and suspension system in which the inner surface of the wheel functions as a brake surface.
The present invention provides an inventive brake system, in which a braking surface is positioned along an interior surface of the wheels. The present invention is now discussed in more detail referring to the drawings that accompany the present application. In the accompanying drawings, like and/or corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numbers.
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The brake system further comprises at least one brake pad 25 and actuation means 30 positioned to provide that the brake pad 25 may be extended into frictional contact with the frictional surface 20, as depicted in
Referring to
In one embodiment, the knuckle may include a sensor 50 housed within said knuckle, wherein the sensor 50 is configured to determine the rotation speed of the wheel 10. Preferably, the sensor is a component of an anti-lock brake system, wherein the anti-lock system further comprises at least one valve positioned along the hydraulic pathways of the knuckle.
The knuckle may further comprises attachment points for further suspension means, including but not limited to: control arms, sway bars, sway bar end links, coil springs, transverse springs, shocks, struts, coil-over shocks, wheel bearings, camber rods, trailing arms, ball joints, toe rods, and tie-rods.
Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.
