Composite brake drum
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsLarry D. Petersen, Stanley C. Squires
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Composite brake drums are made by die casting aluminum or other light weight metal around (A) the periphery of a substantially biplanar stamped steel drum back having a plurality of alternating holes and voids in its outermost edge in a plane and (B) a cast iron braking ring with smooth inner braking surface and rough outer surface whereby the lightweight die cast fills the holes and voids and interlocks with the rough outer surface to provide a brake drum of unitary construction that has improved braking performance with reduced weight and cost, especially compared to similar brake drums having a drum back of cast lightweight metal.
Claims8
A compact composite brake drum for mounting to the wheel and axle shaft of a motor vehicle which comprises:
- a cast iron braking ring comprising a rough outer surface and a smooth inner braking surface;
- a substantially biplanar stamped steel drum back comprising:
- (1) a midsection with a center hole and spaced wheel mounting holes in a first plane;
- (2) a periphery with a first axially facing surface facing said ring and a second axially facing surface facing away from said ring, and with a plurality of holes and voids spaced about its outermost edge in a second plane;
- (3) an annular convolute integrating said first and second planes and extending in part in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum from said first plane and toward said braking surface;
- a diecast barrel of light metal of specific gravity lower than said cast iron braking ring or said stamped steel drum back, said light metal filling said peripheral holes and voids of said drum back, and bonding with said rough outer surface of said braking ring to provide a unitary brake drum and said die cast barrel having a radially extending portion axially interposed between said drum back and said braking ring to provide an axially facing bond between said first axially facing surface of said drum back and said radially extending and interposed portion.
A compact composite drum for mounting to the wheel and axle shaft of a motor vehicle comprising:
- a cast iron braking ring comprising a rough outer surface and a smooth inner braking surface;
- a stamped steel drum back including:
- a midsection with a center hole and spaced wheel mounting holes;
- a periphery with a first axially facing surface facing said ring and a second axially facing surface facing away from said ring, and with a plurality of holes and voids spaced about its outermost edge with the outermost edge periodically radially extending beyond the radial dimension of said braking ring;
- and
- a die cast barrel of aluminum, said aluminum filling said peripheral holes and voids of said drum back, bonding with said rough outer surface of said braking ring to provide a unitary brake drum and said die cast barrel having a radially extending portion axially interposed between said drum back and said braking ring to provide an axially facing bond between said first axially facing surface of said drum back and said radially extending and interposed portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.