Gain stabilizing self-energized brake mechanism

Abstract

A self-energized disk brake assembly includes gain stabilization features for controlling the multiplication of applied force against a rotatable brake member. The brake assembly includes a first brake pad supported about a first pivot and a second brake pad supported about a second pivot. An actuator applies a force to drive the brake pads into the rotatable brake member. Frictional force between the brake pads and the rotatable brake member pulls the brake pads into further engagement generating an increase in braking force from self-energization. A position of the first and second pivots is adjustable to control the amount of braking force generated from self-energization.

1 . A self-energizing brake assembly comprising: 
 a rotatable brake member that is rotatable within a plane of rotation;    a first arm pivotally attached about a first pivot axis and including friction material for engaging said rotatable brake member;    a second arm pivotally attached about a second pivot axis including friction material for engaging said rotatable brake member;    a hinge member attached to said first arm on an end opposite said first pivot axis, and to said second arm on an end opposite from said second pivot axis; and    an adjustable member for controlling a gain in braking force from self-energization by adjusting a distance between said first pivot axis and said second pivot axis, wherein said adjustable member comprises a first threaded member threadingly engaged to said first arm and said second arm at said first pivot axis and said second pivot axis.    
   
   
       2 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first pivot axis and said second pivot axis are movable along a common plane for adjusting said gain in braking force from self-energization.  
   
   
       3 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a first drive for rotating said first threaded member, wherein rotation of said first threaded member causes movement of said first and said second arms between an engaged position in contact with said rotatable brake member and a disengaged position free of said rotatable brake member.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as recited in  claim 3 , including a second threaded member threadingly engagable to at least one of said first arm and said second arm, and a second drive for rotating said second threaded member to move said first arm and said second arm between said engaged position and said disengaged position.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first arm and said second arm both include a second end distal from said first pivot and said second pivot, respectively, and said hinge member comprises a fixed member for fixing a distance between said second ends of said first and second arms.  
   
   
       6 . A self-energizing brake assembly comprising: 
 a rotatable brake member that is rotatable within a plane of rotation;    a first friction element movable into engagement with said rotatable brake member; and    a first pivot arm including a first end pivotally attached to a support, and a second end pivotally attached to said first friction element, wherein rotation of said first pivot arm about said first end drives said first friction element toward said rotatable brake member in response to engagement of said first friction element with said rotatable brake member.    
   
   
       7 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 6 , wherein a distance between said first end and said second end defines a desired gain in braking force from self-energization.  
   
   
       8 . The self-energizing brake assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said distance between said first end and said second end is adjustable for controlling a desired gain in braking force from self- energization.  
   
   
       9 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 6 , including a second pivot arm attached on a first end to said first friction element and on a second end to said support.  
   
   
       10 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first pivot arm and said second pivot arm move parallel to each other.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first pivot arm and said second pivot arm each include a compliant portion.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first pivot arm and said second pivot arm each comprise biasing members.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said first end is pivotally attached to said support at a centerline of said plane of rotation.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first pivot arm is pivotally attached to said support at a fixed distance from said centerline of said plane of rotation.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 6 , including a drive including an actuation arm attached to said first friction element for moving said first friction element into engagement with said rotatable brake member.  
   
   
       16 . A self-energizing brake assembly comprising: 
 a rotatable brake member that is rotatable within a plane of rotation;    a first friction element and a second friction element both movable between an engaged position with said rotatable brake member, and a disengaged position;    a pivot arm pivotally attached to a support, said pivot arm pivotally attached to said first friction element and said second friction element such that rotation of said pivot arm changes a distance between said first friction element and said second friction element for controlling a gain in braking force from self-energization.    
   
   
       17 . The self-energizing brake assembly as recited in  claim 16 , wherein one of said first friction element and said second friction element is fixed against rotation and movable linearly between said engaged position and said disengaged position.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , including an actuation arm attached to one of said first friction element and said second friction element and rotatable to vary said distance between said first friction element and said second friction element.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said actuation arm and said pivot arm are a common member.