Forced response of a nonlinear translating brake band in the presence of friction guides

Abstract

The goal of this article is to investigate the response of a nonlinear translating brake band system under different external loading and constraint conditions. A friction bench experiment is designed, built, and instrumented accordingly. In this experiment, an actuation body (supported by the friction guides) is pushed against a translating brake band over a prescribed actuation cycle. Therefore, two friction regimes are generated; one between the actuation body and brake band, and another one between the actuation body and friction guide(s). Locations of the friction guides and external load application points are varied and all possible cases are experimentally and computationally studied. First, the effect of the center of contact force shift on the forced response is investigated, and conditions that lead to this shift are examined. Second, a nonlinear mathematical model is utilized to explain the relationship between the center of contact force location and the forced system response, as well as to observe certain trends. Finally, such trends are confirmed by measurements, and a better understanding of the effect of external load and constraint locations on a variation in the friction force is obtained. Some of the findings are briefly linked to the vehicle brake judder problem. © The Society for Experimental Mechanics, Inc. 2013.