Vehicle Braking Assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to vehicle braking assemblies with reduced squeal and methods for manufacturing the same. Some configurations include concentrated mass dampers attached to a brake rotor or pad. Some embodiments use multiple mass dampers that can be attached to the brake rotor or pad.

1 . A vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal, comprising:
 a rotor configured to selectively interface with a brake pad; and   a plurality of concentrated mass dampers attached to the rotor, wherein the concentrated mass dampers are configured to apply a localized force to the rotor producing a squeal reducing vibration in the braking assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The braking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of concentrated mass dampers are rotationally balanced with respect to the rotor. 
     
     
         3 . The braking assembly of  claim 2 , wherein at least two of the concentrated mass damper are positioned at diametrically opposed locations with respect to the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The braking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one the plurality of concentrated mass dampers is integrally formed with the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The braking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of concentrated mass dampers is positioned along the outer diameter of the rotor. 
     
     
         6 . The braking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the concentrated mass dampers comprises a mass of 0.2 grams. 
     
     
         7 . The braking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the concentrated mass dampers comprises a mass of at least 50 grams. 
     
     
         8 . The braking assembly of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the concentrated mass dampers comprises a mass of 20 grams. 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal, comprising:
 a brake pad operative to apply a braking force to a brake rotor or drum, the brake pad being subject to vibration during braking; and   a damper attached to the pad, configured to force a squeal reducing vibration in the brake pad, the damper including:   (i) a first mass;   (ii) a second mass connected to the first mass by a first shaft; and   (iii) a third mass connected to the first mass by a second shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the damper is attached to an inner surface of the braking pad. 
     
     
         11 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the damper is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the damper is asymmetrical along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the damper includes a notch in at least one of the first shaft and second shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first shaft and second shaft are cylindrical. 
     
     
         15 . The braking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first mass, second mass and third mass are cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a brake assembly configured to reduce noise during braking, comprising:
 providing a brake pad;   forming a rotor or drum configured to interact with the brake pad;   determining an in-plane mode of vibration for at least one of the rotor, drum and brake pad;   identifying an out-of-plane mode of vibration for at least one of the rotor, drum and brake pad; and   incorporating a damper into at least one of the rotor, drum and brake pad to split a mode of vibration for the rotor, drum or brake pad into the in-plane mode of vibration and the out-of-plane mode of vibration during braking.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 forming the damper to include at least three masses connected by shafts extending between at least two masses.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising notching at least one shaft in a manner to increase vibration of at least one of the masses during braking. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 incorporating another damper in the rotor; and   rotationally balancing the dampers with respect to the rotor.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 attaching the dampers to the rotor in diametrically opposed locations with respect to the rotor.