Modelling and Finite Element Analysis of Structural Modifications in Brake Pad and Disc to Suppress Squeal

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of squeal noise in disc brakes, which is a major concern for researchers and brake manufacturers. The finite element method and complex eigenvalue analysis are used to explore how changing the shape of the disc and the pad affect the squeal noise. Six different pad shapes and two different disc vane shapes under three braking scenarios are compared and investigated. The numerical results indicated that appropriate structural modification of a disc brake system can lower the brake squeal to a certain degree. Moreover, the results demonstrate that curved disc vane could eliminate squeal and has more significant effect rather than pad shape. The curved disc vane showed a steady performance in all working conditions through eliminating all the unstable modes that were generated from the base model. Furthermore, the pad modifications were also able to remove the generated unstable modes from the base model however, they introduced other unstable modes with series tendency of instability and higher propensity to squeal.