Thermal Modelling of a Disc Brake System at Different Vehicle Weights and Constant Speeds

Abstract

In this study, three-dimensional thermal modelling has been made for a disc brake mechanism of an automobile by using the COMSOL Multiphysics programme. Frictional heat has been calculated by means of multibody dynamic module, and heat distribution has been calculated by means of heat transfer module. In such model, an automobile with an initial speed of 25 m⁄s and 35 m⁄s has been decelerated by -10 m⁄s^2 braking speed, and the braking state has been realised at time interval of 2-4 s. Thermal analysis has been made for two different vehicle weights (1200 kg-1500 kg) under the same braking scenario. The results obtained from the thermal analysis have shown similarity to various studies carried out within the literature. An increase of 300 kg in vehicle weight has resulted in a temperature increase by 3.33% during motion at 25 m⁄s vehicle speed, and by 6.03% during motion at 35 m⁄s vehicle speed. According to temporal temperature change, maximum pad temperature has been obtained at the 4th second; and in the case that the vehicle with a weight of 1500 kg and moving at 35 m⁄s speed has braked, maximum pad temperature has been obtained as 450 K.