Claims:We Claim:

1. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) comprising
a. a housing (101);
b. a shaft (102) rotatably positioned on its axis within the housing (101) comprises of a first end and a second end;
c. a rotor (104) is associated with the first end of the shaft (102);
d. a brake assembly (105) comprising a brake actuator (not shown), a plurality of brake disc with friction pad (103), said brake assembly (105) is positioned adjacent and in proximity to the rotor (104);
wherein, the housing (101) comprises a plurality of ports (106, 107), including at least an inlet port (106) directed towards the rotor (104), which allows the outside air flow into the housing (101) and at least an outlet port (107), positioned at any of the side of the housing (101) to liberate the air inside the housing (101), a plurality of breather pipes (108a, 108b), including a first breather pipe (108a) and a second breather pipe (108b), each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first breather pipe (108a) is connected to the inlet port (106) and the first end of the second breather pipe (108b) is connected to the outlet port (107), a plurality of filters (109a, 109b), including a first filter (109a) and a second filter (109b), connected at the second end of the first breather pipe (108a) and the second breather pipe (108b) respectively, to prevent mud and dust entry into the brake assembly (105).

2. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake assembly (105) is a sealed dry disc brake.

3. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake assembly (105) is an integrated dry disc brake.

4. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the friction pad (103) is at least 6 inches.

5. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the friction pad (103) is maximum of 20 inches.

6. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 2 friction pads (103) can be installed at one end of the brake assembly (105).

7. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein maximum of 6 friction pads (103) can be installed at one end of the brake assembly (105).

8. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first filter (109a) is installed directly at the inlet port (106).

9. An air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filter (109b) is installed directly at the outlet port (107).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air cooled braking system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, dry disc brakes are widely used in all kind of vehicles. While applying brakes, more heat is generated due to the friction developed on the surface of the disc plate. Conventionally, the generated heat inside the brake housing is carried through axle housing by conduction. The efficiency of the braking system reduces, when the temperature increases inside the brake housing. Further, the heat causes the break liner to wear and quickly fade and thus affects the braking system performance and life.

There is therefore a need in the art for an air cooled braking system for a vehicle that cools the brake assembly and reduces the break liner fade and wear rate of the brake assembly.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as embodied by the air cooled braking system for vehicles, succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an air cooled braking system for a vehicle that reduces the temperature inside the brake housing and thus improves efficiency and life of the brake assembly.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air cooled braking system for a vehicle that reduces the wear rate of break liner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows enlarged view of an embodiment of the present invention with the air flow directions.
Figure 3 shows an another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 4 shows further one embodiment of the present invention controlling the fan by ECU
Figure 5a & 5b shows the views of disc plate with friction pad on its surface

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air cooled braking system for a vehicle comprising a housing, a shaft rotatably positioned on its axis within the housing comprises of a first end and a second end, a rotor is associated with the shaft, a brake assembly, comprises at least a brake actuator and a plurality of brake discs with friction pad, said brake assembly is positioned adjacent and in proximity to the rotor, wherein, the housing comprises a plurality of ports, including at least an inlet port, directed towards the rotor, which allows the outside air flow into the housing and at least an outlet port, positioned at any of the side of the housing to liberate the air inside the housing. The friction pad is capable of sustaining high friction when the temperature of the brake disk goes high.

While the vehicle is in running state, the output from the engine is transmitted via gear reductions to the shaft and said shaft rotates, which in turn rotates the rotor, which is fixed with said shaft. The rotor is configured in such a way to inhale the outside cool air into the housing, when it rotates, so as to pass the in flow cool air to the brake assembly. Thus, the outside cool air is allowed to pass through the brake assembly to reduce the temperature of brake actuator and friction pad. Due to the rotor configuration, the pressure inside the housing at the other side of the rotor is increased and the hot air is automatically allowed to flow to the outside of the housing through outlet port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

As illustrated in Figure 1, an embodiment of an air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) comprising a housing (101), a shaft (102) rotatably positioned on its axis within the housing ( 101) comprises of a first end and a second end, a rotor (104), comprising of a plurality of blades (not shown), said rotor is associated with the shaft (102), a brake assembly (105), comprises at least a brake actuator (not shown) and a plurality of brake discs with friction pad (103), said brake assembly (105) is positioned adjacent and in proximity to the rotor (104), wherein, the housing (101) comprises a plurality of ports (106, 107), including at least an inlet port (106), directed towards the rotor (104), which allows the outside air flow into the housing (101) and at least an outlet port (107), positioned at any of the side of the housing (101) to liberate the air inside the housing (101). A plurality of filters (109a, 109b) are fixed at the inlet (106) and outlet (107) ports directly or through breather pipes so as to prevent dust and mud entry.

Figure 2 discloses the enlarged view of an embodiment of the present invention. While the vehicle is in running state, the shaft (102) rotates, which in turn rotates the associated rotor (104). The rotor (104) is configured in such a way to inhale the outside cool air into the housing (101), when it rotates, so as to pass the in flow cool air to the brake assembly (105). Thus, the outside cool air is allowed to pass through the brake assembly (105) to reduce the temperature of brake actuator and friction pads (103). Due to the rotor (104) configuration, the pressure inside the housing (101) at the other side of the rotor (104) is increased and the hot air is automatically allowed to flow to the outside of the housing (101) through outlet port (107).

In an another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 3, an air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) comprising a housing (101), a shaft (102) rotatably positioned on its axis within the housing ( 101) comprises of a first end and a second end, a rotor (104), comprising a plurality of blades (not shown), said rotor (104) is associated with the first end of the shaft (102), a brake assembly (105), comprises at least a brake actuator (not shown) and a plurality of brake discs with friction pad (103), said brake assembly (105) is positioned adjacent and in proximity to the rotor (104), wherein, the housing (101) comprises a plurality of ports (106, 107), including at least an inlet port (106), directed towards the rotor (104), which allows the outside air flow into the housing (101) and at least an outlet port (107), positioned at any of the side of the housing (101) to liberate the air inside the housing (101), a plurality of breather pipes (108a, 108b), including a first breather pipe (108a) and a second breather pipe (108b), each comprising a first end and a second, wherein the first end of the first breather pipe (108a) is connected to the inlet port (106) and the first end of the second breather pipe (108b) is connected to the outlet port (107), a plurality of filters (109a, 109b), including a first filter (109a) and a second filter (109b), connected at the second end of the first breather pipe (108a) and the second breather pipe (108b) respectively, to prevent mud and dust entry into the brake assembly (105).

In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of rotors are positioned adjacent to the brake assembly (105) for effective cooling. Said plurality of rotors are independently operable with respect to the shaft (102). As illustrated in Figure 4, each rotor (104) is rotatably fixed with the shaft (102) and that can be individually controllable by means of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (113). Vehicle ignition supply (not shown) or any other appropriate power supply can be connected with the ECU (113) for providing electrical power. An alternator (110) can also be used to supply power to the ECU (113). A temperature sensor (111) is fixed at the surface of the brake housing (101) to sense the temperature. Said sensor (111) is in communication with the ECU (113) and that senses the variation in the temperature on the surface of the brake housing (101) and transmits it to the ECU (113). Based on the variation in the temperature of the brake housing (101), speeds of the individual rotors are automatically controlled by said ECU (113) to further increase the cooling efficiency.

Figure 5a and 5b illustrates the brake disc with friction pad (103), wherein said friction pad is capable of sustaining high friction while applying brakes, thus prevents fade of break liner and improves the braking efficiency.

The air cooled braking system for a vehicle (100) as disclosed in the present invention preferably includes sealed dry disc brake. More particularly, the air cooled braking system includes integrated dry disc Brake. Size of the rotor (104) may be suitable for all kinds of vehicle. The outer diameter of the friction pads (103) varies from 6 inches to 20 inches or any appropriate diameter. At least 2 friction pads (103) can be installed at one side of the brake assembly (105). Preferably, 6 friction pads can be installed at one end of the brake assembly (105). In an alternate embodiment, the first filter (109a) and the second filter (109b) is installed directly at the inlet port (106) and the outlet port (107) respectively.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 – An air cooled braking system for a vehicle
101 – Housing
102 – Shaft
103 – Friction pad
104 – Rotor
105 – Brake assembly
106 – Inlet port
107 – Outlet port
108a – First breather pipe
108b – Second breather pipe
109a – First filter
109b – Second filter
110 – Alternator
111 – Temperature sensor
112 – Fuse
113 – ECU