Structural and Contact Analysis of Disc Brake Assembly during Single Stop Braking Event

Abstract

An automobile disc brake system is used to perform three basic functions, i.e. to reduce speed of a vehicle, to maintain its speed when travelling downhill and to completely stop the vehicle. During these braking events, the disc brake may suffer of structural and wear issues. It is quite sometimes that the disc brake components fail structurally and/or having severe wear on the pad. Thus, this paper aims to examine stress concentration, structural deformation and contact pressure of brake disc and pads during single braking stop event by employing commercial finite element software, ANSYS. The paper also highlights the effects of using a fixed caliper, different friction coefficients and different speeds of the disc on the stress concentration, structural deformation and contact pressure of brake disc and pads, respectively. Results from the investigation could provide a better explanation of the variation in contact pressure distribution and in turn squeal generation. Thus, this study provides effective reference for design and engineering application of brake disc and brake pad.