Brake component, disc brake, drum brake, and method for manufacturing a brake component

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure Brake member where the occurrence of brake squeal when a fluctuating load is applied onto the brake member is reduced by way of a brake member or arrangement that includes a backing plate carrying a brake lining which exhibits at least one contact surface and side surfaces surrounding that contact surface and in which the side surfaces are connected to the contact surface and to the backing plate. The contact surface is adapted to exhibit an edge area surrounding the contact surface and in which at least a portion of the edge area exhibits a local deformation stiffness in a direction vertical to a plane through the contact surface which differs, at most, fifteen percent from the deformation stiffness in a central area in the interior of the contact surface. Utilization of this brake member is equally applicable in disc- and drum-style brake arrangements that can suffer from the occurrence of brake squeal when applying a fluctuating load onto the brake member.

Claims 
     
         1.   A brake member comprising: 
       a backing plate carrying a brake lining, said brake lining having at least one contact surface and side surfaces surrounding said at least one contact surface, said side surfaces being connected between said contact surface and said backing plate; and 
       said contact surface having a surrounding edge area and at least a portion of said edge area exhibiting a local deformation stiffness in a direction vertical to a plane through the contact surface which differs fifteen percent at most from the deformation stiffness in a central area of an interior portion of the contact surface. 
     
     
         2.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       said side surfaces along said portion of said surrounding edge area having a local deformation stiffness in a direction vertical to a plane through said contact surface differing at most fifteen percent from the deformation stiffness in said central area in said interior of said contact surface. 
     
     
         3.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the local deformation stiffness differs ten percent at most. 
     
     
         4.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the local deformation stiffness differs five percent at most. 
     
     
         5.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the brake lining includes  at least two contact surfaces separated by a groove and said portion of said edge area includes a main portion of the edge area of the contact surfaces along said groove. 
     
     
         6.   A brake member as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said groove extends between a second set of side surfaces and a surface normal within the main portion of a wear area within said second set of side surfaces makes an angle between 78 and 86 degrees with an arbitrary surface normal within the main portion of the contact surface when the brake member is in an unloaded condition. 
     
     
         7.   A brake member as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said angle measures between 80 and 84 degrees. 
     
     
         8.   A brake member as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said angle measures between 81 and 83 degrees. 
     
     
         9.   A brake member as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said second set of side surfaces within the main portion of a wear area within said second set of side surfaces are substantially flat. 
     
     
         10.   A brake member according to  claim 9 , characterized in that an arbitrary surface normal within the main portion of a wear area within said first set of side surfaces makes an angle between 78 - 86 degrees with an arbitrary surface normal within the main portion of the contact surface when the brake member is in an unloaded condition. 
     
     
         11.   A brake member as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first set of side surfaces within the main portion of a wear area within said first set of side surfaces are designed substantially flat. 
     
     
         12.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the brake  lining includes a front and a rear flank which are beveled, and said side surfaces include a first set of side surfaces extending between said front and rear flank, and said portion of said edge area includes the main portion of an edge of said contact surface or surfaces at said first set of side surfaces. 
     
     
         13.   A brake member as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said angle measures between 80 and 84 degrees. 
     
     
         14.   A brake member as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said angle measures between 81 and 83 degrees. 
     
     
         15.   A brake member as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said portion of the edge area includes the main portion of an edge of said contact surface or surfaces at the front and rear flank. 
     
     
         16.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said brake member is adapted to be utilized in a disc brake arrangement. 
     
     
         17.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said brake member is adapted to be utilized in a drum brake arrangement. 
     
     
         18.   A brake member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said brake member is formed from a material having a varying deformation stiffness, and that the variation is arranged for allowing said edge area to exhibit said deformation stiffness.