Disc brake vibration and squeal is a source of irritation and distraction. A squealing brake gives customers the impression of underlying quality problems of the vehicle. The warranty cost due to disc brake noise is very high and has led to much research and investment in tackling disc brake vibration and noise. Brake squeal is friction-induced vibration of immense complexity. Research in recent years has resulted in quieter brakes. However disc brake squeal still occurs frequently. Modelling disc brake systems and simulating their dynamic behaviour is an efficient and cost-effective way of correcting squealing brakes and creating new designs for improved noise performance. This paper describes the methodology for simulating disc brake vibration and predicting disc brake squeal established by the author's research group and presents numerical results against experimental results. This approach is centred on the moving-load concept. It offers a new angle in tackling the difficult disc brake squeal problem and has shown much promise.
Moving loads and car disc brake squeal
Published Online: July 29, 2009