Three Dimenional Finite Element Simulation For Drum Brake

The main critiaria of indexes to evaluate performance of vehicle brake are effectiveness factor, stability of effectiveness factor and working life of brake lining.However, the nouniformity of pressure distribution over brake lining has both direct and indirect influences on such criteria of indexes.By modeling drum, shoes and brake linings with ANSYS, the contact pressure distribition between brake linings and drum is simulated. In a condition of unknowing of the actuating load upon brake shoes, the effectiveness factor and actual force are caculated by applying an forehand load. Then, actual force is applied. By means of apllying force rather than displacement, the contact pressure distribution is obtained with covergence and accurarcy of the result improved.The effect of initial angle to contact pressure distribution is analyzed. The result indicates that, with the decrease of the initial angle, the effectiveness factor of the trailing-shoe increase greater than that of the leading-shoe, and the trailing-shoe lining near fixed bolt engage in contact more efficient. We can also see that, as a result of a more powerful press, the contact pressure near toe in trailing-shoe lining increases with the decrease of the initial angle. This may result in grabing, noise and overwork. To cope with the situation, we can change the shape of the brake lining to a tapered form .The above analysis provide theroretical reference to optimize the structure of the brake so as to improving the nouniformity of wear and the effectiveness factor of the brake.The finite mode analysis is conducted to find methods for lowering the brake noise.