Brake using elastomeric means

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Presently all vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, etc. . . . use friction to slow down or to stop the kinetic energy of a rotating wheel. Typically, a pad, actuated by hydraulic means, is pressed against either a drum or a disc. Going down a long steep hill, the brake experiences heat and fading and loses a significant and potentially dangerous portion of its effectiveness. Driving in the rain or in the mud, the unprotected drums, discs or pads get slippery, also with a dangerous decrease in braking force.

The present invention does not rely in any way whatsoever on friction to slow down or to stop a rotating wheel. Instead, it depends on the asymmetrical deformation of an elastomeric suspension to achieve much better results. Because no friction is involved, there is no heat, no fading, no wear, no replacement of pads, drums or discs. The braking force is absolutely identical whether the brake is running bone dry, dripping wet or even greasy. The design requires few moving parts, all of which can be designed rugged enough to last the expected life of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a brake mechanism embodying the present invention.

A wheel 1 would typically be attached to a vehicle tire possibly in a manner similar to the attachment of a disc brake. This attachment is not part of this claim and would be left to the vehicle manufacturer.

A ring 2 is suspended from the wheel 1 by elastomeric means described in detail elsewhere in this document but shown here schematically as an array of springs. This ring rotates with the wheel.

A roller 4 rides on the inside (or on the outside) diameter of the ring. This roller does not rotate with the ring but on the ring. The support and actuation of this roller is not part of this claim and would be left to the vehicle manufacturer.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line A-A of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. For clarity, springs and screws have not been sectioned.

FIG. 3 shows the ring 2 having been forced by the motion of the roller 4 into an eccentric position, thus deforming (stretching or compressing) the elastomeric suspension.

FIG. 4 In order to facilitate the comprehension of this invention, this drawing features a fake brake pedal 5 , a fake pivot 6 and a fake support 7 to represent in a symbolic and schematic fashion how the action of pushing on a brake pedal can create the force that moves roller 4 .

FIG. 5 shows a modified form of construction as an obvious alternate configuration with the elastomeric suspension 3 located on the inside of ring 2 and roller 4 riding outside the ring. The function and all claims are identical since the hardware has simply been reversed inside out.

This invention pertains to a unique brake mechanism that uses no friction whatsoever to slow down or to stop the rotation of a wheel.

The simplified schematic diagrams shown here do not intend to apply specifically to any given type of vehicle or to any particular manufacturer. The purpose of these drawings is to describe the invention in general terms. In all cases the actual design of the hardware will be the responsibility of the user or of the manufacturer.

Basic Parts

Wheel 1 : In this text, the word wheel applies to any circular or near circular object that would be typically part of or connected to a vehicle tire in a manner chosen by the manufacturer. The wheel can be made of any material, metal, plastic, composite, ceramic, glass, wood or any other solid compound.

Ring 2 : In this text, the word ring applies to any circular or near circular object suspended from wheel 1 by elastomeric means 3 . The ring can be made of any material, metal, plastic, composite, ceramic, glass, wood or any other solid compound.

Elastomeric Suspension 3 : In this text, the word suspension applies to any of the following items, used singly or in combination, located in such a way that if no radial force is applied to ring 2 , this ring is concentric to wheel 1 : extension springs, compression springs, leaf springs, torsion springs, elastic bands, clock (spiral) springs, bellows, web elastomer, solid elastomer, foam elastomer, a gas, gel or liquid filled enclosure, air or hydraulic cylinders or any other device or compound that, if displaced or deformed exerts a force to regain its original shape, length or position. The elastomeric suspension may be attached to wheel 1 and to ring 2 by means of screws, bolts, rivets, welds, clamps, retaining rings, press fit, bonding agents or any other mechanical or chemical manner.

Roller 4 : In the preferred embodiment, a ball bearing or a roller bearing is used to minimize friction and wear. The support and radial actuation of this roller is not part of this claim and would be left to the vehicle manufacturer, for example using existing hydraulic lines presently actuating brake pads.

Functioning of the Invention

If no radial force is applied to ring 2 , it stays concentric to wheel 1 which then rotates freely.

When roller 4 moves radially, it forces ring 2 off center, thus stretching or compressing the elastomeric suspension 3 into an eccentric position.

For wheel 1 to keep on rotating, it must fight this force every degree of every turn. As this force is maintained or increases, wheel 1 slows down or stops altogether.

Because no friction is involved, the braking force is identical under any weather condition, wet or dry. It would operate the same if immersed in a barrel of oil. It cannot fade or get hot. It will always operate smoothly and reliably. All the components, including elastomers, ball bearings, can be engineered to last the expected life of a vehicle.

Because the design is simple and straightforward, the mass manufacturing of all the parts should result in a cost similar to existing friction brakes.

Other Uses

Although primarily intended for use in vehicles such as cars, trucks, all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, buses, motorhomes, eighteen wheelers, trains, airplanes, etc., this invention could be adapted to any machinery or mechanism presently using friction to slow down or to stop. As an example: a replacement for the drag in fishing reels.