Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Abstract: A composite exciter ring for use in a vehicle brake system includes a base layer and a cover layer that is disposed on the base layer. The base layer is made of a ceramic material that insulates the cover layer from a heat source generated during brake activation. The cover layer is made of a plastic material and that defines openings. Each opening exposes a different part of the base layer. The ceramic material includes an additive infused therein. The additive has an effect on a magnetic field.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Abstract: A braking assembly for an air disc brake comprises an actuator assembly having a service portion, at least one mounting stud attached to the service portion, and an air disc brake caliper having a bore for receiving the at least one mounting stud. The mounting stud is pivotable with respect to the service portion for installation on the air disc brake caliper.

Abstract: A brake disc arrangement to be located at an end of an axle of a vehicle driven by an electric motor includes a rotor assembly having multiple rotor assembly pieces joined together with fasteners, as well as an adaptor. The pieces mentioned include rotor sections defining an engagement portion having surfaces to be contacted by friction pads. The rotor assembly also includes an attachment base and an intermediate section, surrounding a rotor assembly axis of rotation, extending along the rotor assembly axis of rotation between the engagement portion and the attachment base. When assembled, the adaptor extends between a wheel hub base and the attachment base of the rotor assembly so that the rotor assembly is securable to the wheel hub. The adaptor defines an internal volume within which a housing for the electric motor and at least a portion of the wheel hub are receivable.

Abstract: A vehicle brake slack adjuster includes a housing coupled to a brake actuator and supporting a driving worm wheel engaging the brake cam shaft and a driving worm screw meshed with the driving worm wheel and transferring a brake actuating force, imparted by the brake actuator to the housing, to the driving worm wheel and cam shaft. The adjuster further includes a wear adjustment mechanism including a reference arm fixed against movement and including a control ring gear, a pinion gear meshed with the control ring gear and configured for rotation about an axis, a clutch ring disposed about the axis and configured for rotation with the pinion gear, a control worm screw disposed about the axis, a wrap spring engaging surfaces of the clutch ring and control worm screw and a control worm wheel meshed with the control worm screw and configured for rotation with the driving worm screw.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to on axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hull to minimize thermal ex pans ion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Abstract: A disc brake, a wear adjuster for a disc brake and a method for operating a disc brake are provided. The wear adjuster includes a pawl biased by a spring against, and actuated by, a rotary lever, a shaft with the ratchet wheel arranged to be rotated by the pawl when the rotary lever rotates in a brake release direction, and a tappet wheel threaded on a brake application tappet supported on a movable bridge in the disc brake caliper. During brake release the pawl rotates the ratchet wheel and the shaft. The shaft and the tappet wheel have gearing which rotates the tappet wheel with the shaft. Due to the threaded engagement of the tappet wheel and the non-rotating tappet, the rotating tappet wheel causes the tappet to advance relative to the bridge to compensate for brake pad wear.

Abstract: A bushing assembly is provided for a spring brake actuator of a vehicle air braking system. The bushing assembly comprises a single-piece bushing member made of a material that is homogenous throughout the bushing member. The bushing member includes a first rib structure that faces one axial direction of the bushing member and a second rib structure that faces an opposite axial direction of the bushing member.

Abstract: A slack adjuster is provided for a drum brake of a vehicle air braking system. The slack adjuster comprises a gear set including (i) a worm wheel having an outer circumferential surface, and (ii) a worm shaft having a longitudinal central axis and meshed with the worm wheel. The worm shaft is rotated in one direction about its longitudinal central axis when the drum brake is applied and adjustment is required and in an opposite direction about its longitudinal central axis when the drum brake is released. The slack adjuster further comprises an anti-reversing member having an inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the worm wheel. The anti-reversing member allows rotation of the worm wheel when the drum brake is applied and prevents rotation of the worm wheel when the drum brake is released.

Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, is provided. The disc brake includes at least one application-side brake pad and a back-side brake pad held in a form-fitting manner in a brake carrier. At least the application-side brake pad is provided with at least one pad-retaining spring which is supported at least on one brake carrier horn of the brake carrier and exerts a radially outwardly acting tensile force on the brake pad.

Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, is provided. The disc brake includes at least one application-side brake pad and a back-side brake pad held in a form-fitting manner in a brake carrier. At least the application-side brake pad is provided with at least one pad-retaining spring which is supported at least on one brake carrier horn of the brake carrier and exerts a radially outwardly acting tensile force on the brake pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating air disc brake pad wear includes a housing having a proximate end and a distal end; wherein a first opening is located at the proximate end. The housing receives a first rigid member having a proximate end and a distal end and partially contained in the housing, the first rigid member distal end extending from the distal end of the housing and configured to attach to an associated inboard disk brake pad assembly. The first rigid member moves linearly in response to the movement of the associated disc brake pad such that the proximate end of the first rigid member as seen through the first opening recedes as the associated disc brake pad wears. The housing may also receive a second rigid member configured to attach to a carrier of the air disc brake assembly for determining wear on an outboard disc brake pad.

Abstract: A hybrid structural apparatus is provided for a vehicle air braking system. The hybrid structural apparatus comprises a member including a non-pressure plate of a brake actuator and an arm portion that extends from the non-pressure plate. The member is made of a first material. The hybrid structural apparatus further comprises a first flange made of a second material fastened to the arm portion of the member. The second material is different from the first material. The hybrid structural apparatus also includes a second flange for fastening to a brake spider, and a camshaft support tube interconnecting the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly and method for designing the assembly are provided. The assembly includes a brake spider, a pair of brake shoes pivotally coupled to the brake spider at one end, and a pair of cam followers disposed at opposite ends of the brake shoes. The assembly further includes a camshaft having a shaft disposed along a rotational axis and a cam disposed at one end of the shaft. The cam has an inboard side proximate the shaft, an outboard side distant from the shaft and a cam surface extending between the inboard and outboard sides in engagement with the cam followers. The camshaft further includes a noise reducing mass disposed on the outboard side of the cam. The mass is configured to establish a natural frequency in the cam that differs from a natural frequency of the first and second brake shoes to reduce audible noise.

Abstract: A slack adjuster is provided for a drum brake of a vehicle air braking system. The slack adjuster comprises a gear set including (i) a worm wheel having an outer circumferential surface, and (ii) a worm shaft having a longitudinal central axis and meshed with the worm wheel. The worm shaft is rotated in one direction about its longitudinal central axis when the drum brake is applied and adjustment is required and in an opposite direction about its longitudinal central axis when the drum brake is released. The slack adjuster further comprises an anti-reversing member having an inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the worm wheel. The anti-reversing member allows rotation of the worm wheel when the drum brake is applied and prevents rotation of the worm wheel when the drum brake is released.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper includes actuator and reaction portions disposed on opposite sides of a rotor and a bridge portion extending between the actuator and reaction portions and disposed radially outward of the rotor. The actuator portion houses a piston and a lever and defines a mounting flange for a brake actuator. Movement of the lever by the brake actuator causes the piston and the reaction portion to urge brake pads against opposite sides of the rotor. The mounting flange defines a pushrod bore and a fastener bore that receive a pushrod of the actuator and a shank of a fastener extending from the actuator, respectively. The fastener bore has a diameter that varies along at least a portion of a length of the bore beginning from a first end of the bore proximate the actuator and tapering moving towards a second end of the bore distant from the actuator.

Abstract: A lock washer for releasably locking a fastener to an object is provided. The washer includes a body defining a bore configured for alignment with a bore disposed in the object. The bores are configured to receive a shank of the fastener and are disposed about a center axis along which the fastener extends. The washer further includes one or more fingers each having a first end coupled to the body and a second end configured to selectively engage a flat on either a head of the fastener or a nut. The finger is movable between a disengaged position wherein the second end of the finger is configured for disengagement from the flat and an engaged position wherein the second end of the finger is configured for engagement with the flat. The finger is biased towards the engaged position.

Abstract: An internally ventilated brake disc with a disc coning reducing arrangement is provided in which temperature differences between inboard and outboard sides of the brake disc are minimized in order to reduce coning-causing differential thermal expansion. Between a radially inner region of a brake disc that includes brake disc-to-axle hub mounting features and a radially outer region the mass of the inboard side of the brake disc is distributed in a manner that reduces the amount of differential thermal expansion occurring during brake application between the inboard and outboard sides of the brake disc, thereby minimizing thermally-induced coning effects. The inboard side disc plate portion may having an increasing axial thickness in the direction from the radially outer region to the radially inner region, providing additional material mass to receive and dissipate heat energy received during a braking event.