Abstract: A friction device may include a backing plate connected with a friction material. The friction device may include a conditioning insert at least partially embedded within the friction material. The conditioning insert may include opposite first and second longitudinal sides that extend from the backing plate to the conditioning surface and opposite first and second lateral sides that extend from the backing plate to the conditioning surface. The first longitudinal side, the second longitudinal side, the first lateral side, and/or the second lateral side of the conditioning insert can include one or more protrusions extending away from the first longitudinal side, the second longitudinal side, the first lateral side, and/or the second lateral side and into the friction material.

Abstract: A conditioning insert of a friction device includes a body having a conditioning surface configured to engage a wheel, opposite first and second sides intersecting the conditioning surface, and opposite third and fourth sides intersecting the conditioning surface. Each of the first and second sides extend from the third side to the fourth side. The body includes one or more of (a) a recess extending into one or more of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and is configured to receive friction material of the friction device and/or (b) a protrusion extending out of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and into the friction material of the friction device.

Abstract: A conditioning insert of a friction device includes a body having a conditioning surface configured to engage a wheel, opposite first and second sides intersecting the conditioning surface, and opposite third and fourth sides intersecting the conditioning surface. Each of the first and second sides extend from the third side to the fourth side. The body includes one or more of (a) a recess extending into one or more of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and is configured to receive friction material of the friction device and/or (b) a protrusion extending out of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and into the friction material of the friction device.

Abstract: A method and a system of a friction device for a wheel may include a backing plate and a friction material disposed on the backing plate to form a brake surface to engage a surface of the wheel. The friction material extends between a first end and a second end along a central longitudinal axis, and between a rim side and a flange side. A void is disposed within the friction material and extends from the brake surface a distance into the friction material. The void forms an opening of the brake surface of the friction material.

Abstract: A friction device for a vehicle having a flanged wheel (with a wheel flange and wheel tread) includes a backing plate and a friction structure. The backing plate may interface with a brake actuator of the vehicle. The friction structure is attached to the backing plate and comprises a friction material; the friction structure has a longitudinal flange side, a longitudinal rim side, and two opposing ends, and defines a brake surface for engaging the flanged wheel for braking. The friction structure includes an extended volume portion of the friction material on the longitudinal flange side, which defines a flange contact region of the brake surface. The flange contact region may at least partially engage the flange and to align the friction device with the wheel tread, e.g., the flange contact region may be complementary in shape to at least part of the flange.