Integral casted labrynth ring for brake drum
AssigneeThe Budd Company
InventorAlastair R. Deane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite brake drum for motor vehicle applications incorporating an embedded annular ring insert. The annular ring is positioned within a casting cavity to define the surfaces of a labrynth groove at the open rim of the brake drum. The labrynth groove defines a region for a backing plate flange to define a labrynth seal to prevent entry of debris into the brake drum. By defining the labrynth groove using an annular ring inserted within the mold, the post-casting machining requirements are significantly reduced. Moreover, the presence of a steel ring in the rim of the brake drum provides structural benefits. The annular ring further preferably incorporates locating features to assure accurate positioning within the casting mold cavity.
Claims15
A brake drum for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a center disk portion for mounting said drum to said motor vehicle,
- a cylindrical side portion joining said center disk portion to define an inside cylindrical braking surface and a closed end and an open end surrounded by a rim, and
- an annular ring insert having a radial wall and first and second cylindrical walls joining said radial wall, said ring imbedded within said cylindrical side portion to form a bottom and side surface of a labrynth groove within said rim facing said open end.
An insert for incorporation into a brake drum of the type having a center disk portion for mounting said drum to a motor vehicle and having a cylindrical side portion joining said center disk portion to define an inside cylindrical braking surface and a closed end and an open end surrounded by a rim, said insert comprising:
- an annular ring having a radial wall and first and second cylindrical walls joining said radial wall, said walls having a generally constant thickness being formed from a deformable sheet stock material.
A brake drum for a motor vehicle made by a process comprising the steps of:
- providing casting mold halves defining a mold cavity for forming said brake drum defining a center disk portion for mounting said drum to said motor vehicle and a cylindrical side portion joining said center disk portion to define an inside cylindrical braking surface, said cylindrical side portion joining said center disk portion to define a closed end and further having an open end surrounded by a rim,
- providing an insert in the form of an annular ring having a radial wall and first and second cylindrical walls joining said radial wall,
- placing said insert into said mold cavity in a position for at least partially defining said rim such that said insert walls define the bottom and side surfaces of a labrynth groove opening laterally relative to said drum,
- pouring molten iron into said mold cavity thereby imbedding said insert and forming said brake drum, and
- removing said brake drum from said mold cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.