Abstract:
A disk rotor assembly for a vehicle may include an adaptor adapted to be mounted on a hub and to receive torque of a wheel, a disk rotor generating a braking force, a transmitter engaging the adaptor with the disk rotor and adapted to transmit the torque received by the adaptor to the disk rotor or to transmit the braking force generated by the disk rotor to the adaptor, and engaging member for engaging the adaptor, the disk rotor, and the transmitter altogether.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0056497 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 10, 2011, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle that prevents heat crack of a disk rotor by braking heat. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, a braking apparatus of a vehicle converts kinetic energy into heat energy by friction so as to lower the vehicle&#39;s speed. The braking device is classified into a drum brake and a disk brake according to a shape of a rotating member rotating with a wheel and braking method. 
         [0006]    Meanwhile, the disk brake includes an adaptor, a disk rotor, and a brake pad. The adaptor is mounted on a hub and receives torque of a wheel. The disk rotor rotates together with the adaptor and is made from cast iron. The disk brake brakes the vehicle by applying pressure to both side surfaces of the disk rotor by the brake pad. 
         [0007]    Compared with the drum brake, the disk brake should generate a sufficient braking force by friction of a smaller area. Therefore, materials that can bear high load and high temperature are used for constituent elements of the disk brake. 
         [0008]    However, a temperature of the disk rotor is raised higher than 400° C. by friction between the brake pad and the disk rotor, and heat deformation of the disk rotor may occur in this case. 
         [0009]    Since a conventional disk brake where the adaptor and the disk rotor are integrally formed is thermally deformed in a state that the disk rotor is restricted by the adaptor, heat crack may occur at the disk rotor. 
         [0010]    The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle having advantages of preventing heat crack by heat deformation of a disk rotor as a consequence of separating a disk rotor from a adaptor. 
         [0012]    In addition, various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle having further advantages of increasing marketability by improving durability of an adaptor and a disk rotor. 
         [0013]    In an aspect of the present invention, a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle may include an adaptor adapted to be mounted on a hub and to receive torque of a wheel, a disk rotor generating a braking force, a transmitter engaging the adaptor with the disk rotor and adapted to transmit the torque received by the adaptor to the disk rotor or to transmit the braking force generated by the disk rotor to the adaptor, and engaging member for engaging the adaptor, the disk rotor, and the transmitter altogether. 
         [0014]    The adaptor has a plurality of transmitter mounting surfaces contacting with a side surface of the transmitter, and a plurality of rotor contacting surfaces contacting with the disk rotor, and wherein the disk rotor has a plurality of transmitter mounting grooves at which the transmitter mounting surfaces of the adaptor are disposed therein to mount the transmitter, and a plurality of adaptor contacting surfaces contacting with the rotor contacting surfaces of the adaptor. 
         [0015]    The transmitter penetrates the transmitter mounting groove and the side surface of the transmitter is engaged with the transmitter mounting surface, wherein a penetration hole through which the engaging member penetrates is formed at the transmitter, and an engaging hole for engaging with the engaging member is formed at the transmitter mounting surface. 
         [0016]    The plurality of transmitter mounting surfaces is formed at an exterior circumference of the adaptor along a circumferential direction, and the rotor contacting surface is formed between the neighboring transmitter mounting surfaces. 
         [0017]    The transmitter mounting surface may have a concave shape in an axial direction and open in the axial direction and a radial direction of the adaptor, wherein an exterior circumference of the transmitter mounting surface is shorter than an interior circumference thereof. 
         [0018]    The transmitter mounting groove and the adaptor contacting surface are formed at an interior circumference of the disk rotor, wherein the plurality of transmitter mounting grooves is formed at the interior circumference of the disk rotor along a circumferential direction, and the adaptor contacting surface is formed between the neighboring transmitter mounting grooves. 
         [0019]    The rotor contacting surface and the adaptor contacting surface contact with each other in a case that the adaptor and the disk rotor are engaged. 
         [0020]    A bracket is formed at the transmitter so as to engage the adaptor with the adaptor contacting surface of the disk rotor and to prevent disengagement of the disk rotor. 
         [0021]    The adaptor and the transmitter are directly engaged with each other by the engaging member, and the disk rotor is engaged to the adaptor by engagement of the adaptor and the transmitter, wherein a bracket is formed at the transmitter so as to engage the adaptor with the disk rotor and to prevent disengagement of the disk rotor. 
         [0022]    The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an adaptor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a disk rotor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0030]    It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. 
         [0031]    In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0033]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a disk rotor assembly  10  for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an adaptor  20 , a disk rotor  30 , a transmitter  40 , and engaging member  50 . 
         [0036]    The adaptor  20  is mounted on a hub of a wheel, transmits torque of the wheel to the disk rotor  30 , and transmits braking force of a disk brake from the disk rotor  30  to the wheel. 
         [0037]    The disk rotor  30  rubs with a brake pad of the disk brake and brakes a vehicle. The disk rotor  30  has a disk shape. If the brake pad applies pressure to both side surfaces of the disk rotor  30 , kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into heat energy by friction between the brake pad and the disk rotor  30 . Therefore, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is reduced and braking of the vehicle is performed. Herein, frictional force between the brake pad and the disk rotor  30  is braking force of the disk brake. 
         [0038]    The transmitter  40  facilitates and assists assembling of the disk rotor assembly  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0039]    The transmitter  40  connects the adaptor  20  with the disk rotor  30 . In addition, the transmitter  40  delivers torque of the adaptor  20  to the disk rotor  30  or delivers braking force of the disk rotor  30  to the adaptor  20 . 
         [0040]    The engaging member  50  engages the adaptor  20 , the transmitter  40 , and the disk rotor  30 . Herein, the adaptor  20  and the transmitter  40  are directly engaged by the engaging member  50 , and the disk rotor  30  is indirectly engaged with the adapter through engagement of the adaptor  20  and the transmitter  40 . Thereby, the disk rotor assembly  10  is assembled. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a disk rotor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the disk rotor assembly  10  for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is assembled by engaging the adaptor  20 , the disk rotor  30 , and the transmitter  40  through the engaging member  50 . 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, constituent elements of the disk rotor assembly  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an adaptor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a transmitter mounting surface  22 , a rotor contacting surface  24 , and an engaging hole  26  are formed at the adaptor  20 . 
         [0046]    The adaptor  20  has a hollow cylindrical shape. One circular side surface between two circular side surfaces of the adaptor  20  is connected to the disk rotor  30 . In addition, the transmitter mounting surface  22 , the rotor contacting surface  24 , and the engaging hole  26  are formed at the circular side surface of the adaptor  20  connected to the disk rotor  30 . 
         [0047]    A plurality of rotor contacting surfaces  24  is formed radially at the circular side surface of the adaptor  20  connected to the disk rotor  30  along an external circumference thereof. The rotor contacting surface  24  is open to a radial outward direction. 
         [0048]    A plurality of transmitter mounting surfaces  22  is formed radially at the circular side surface of the adaptor  20  connected to the disk rotor  30  along the external circumference thereof In addition, a plurality of transmitter mounting surfaces  22  are formed between the neighboring rotor contacting surfaces  24 . That is, the transmitter mounting surface  22  and the rotor contacting surface  24  are alternately arranged along the external circumference of the circular side surface of the adaptor  20 . In addition, the transmitter mounting surface  22  has a concave shape from the circular side surface of the adaptor  20  in an axial direction. The transmitter mounting surface  22  is open in the axial direction and the radial direction. An exterior circumference of the transmitter mounting surface  22  is shorter than an interior circumference thereof The transmitter mounting surface  22  contacts with a side surface of the transmitter. 
         [0049]    The engaging hole  26  is formed at the transmitter mounting surface  22 . At least one of engaging holes  26  is formed at one transmitter mounting surface  22 . If the engaging member  50  is a bolt, a screw thread is formed at an interior circumference of the engaging hole  26 . 
         [0050]    Since the adaptor  20  is hollow, the adapter  20  can be mounted on a hub of the wheel. Engagement of the adaptor  20  and the wheel is well known to a person skilled in the art, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a disk rotor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a transmitter mounting groove  32  and an adaptor contacting surface  34  are formed at the disk rotor  30 . 
         [0053]    The disk rotor  30  has a hollow disk shape. Therefore, the disk rotor  30  includes an exterior circumference and an interior circumference. In addition, the transmitter mounting groove  32  and the adaptor contacting surface  34  are formed at an interior circumference of the disk rotor  30 . 
         [0054]    A plurality of transmitter mounting grooves  32  are formed at the interior circumference of the disk rotor  30 . The transmitter mounting groove  32  corresponds to the transmitter mounting surface  22  of the adaptor  20 . In addition, the transmitter mounting groove  32  is open in the axial direction such that the transmitter  40  penetrates through the transmitter mounting groove  32  and contacts with the transmitter mounting surface  22 . 
         [0055]    A plurality of adaptor contacting surfaces  34  is formed at the interior circumference of the disk rotor  30 . The adaptor contacting surface  34  is protruded radially inwardly from the interior circumference of the disk rotor  30 . In addition, the adaptor contacting surface  34  is formed between the neighboring transmitter mounting grooves  32 . That is, the adaptor contacting surface  34  and the transmitter mounting groove  32  are alternately formed. Further, the adaptor contacting surface  34  corresponds to the rotor contacting surface  24 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the transmitter  40  includes a bracket  42 , a penetration hole  44 , and a column  46 . The transmitter  40  is engaged with the adaptor  20  by the engaging member  50 , and restricts a movement of the disk rotor  30  so as to form the disk rotor assembly  10 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional shape of the column  46  is trapezoid, but is not limited to this. The cross-sectional shape of the column  46  corresponds to shapes of the transmitter mounting surface  22  and the transmitter mounting groove  32 . The column  46  extends from a side surface of the bracket  42  to the axial direction. Therefore, a side surface of the transmitter  40  penetrates through the transmitter mounting groove  32  and contacts with the transmitter mounting surface  22 , and the bracket  42  is formed at the other side surface of the transmitter  40 . 
         [0059]    The bracket  42  contacts with the other side surface of the disk rotor  30  so as to apply pressure to the disk rotor  30  toward the adaptor  20 . Therefore, the disk rotor  30  and the adaptor  20  are engaged with each other by the transmitter  40 . In addition, the bracket  42  prevents the disk rotor  30  from being disengaged from the adaptor  20 . 
         [0060]    The penetration hole  44  is formed axially at the transmitter  40 . If the engaging member  50  is a bolt, a screw thread is formed at an interior circumference of the penetration hole  44  such that the bolt is engaged thereto. 
         [0061]    The engaging member  50  penetrates through the penetration hole  44  formed at the transmitter  40  and engages to the engaging hole  26  formed at the adaptor  20  so as to engage the adaptor  20  with the transmitter  40 . At this time, the column  46  of the transmitter  40  is mounted at the transmitter mounting groove  32 . Therefore, the adaptor  20 , disk rotor  30 , and the transmitter  40  are engaged by the engaging member  50  so as to form the disk rotor assembly  10 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 7 , an engaging state of the disk rotor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0064]    In a state that the disk rotor assembly  10  is engaged as shown in  FIG. 6 , the transmitter  40  is mounted at the transmitter mounting groove  32  of the disk rotor  30 . In addition, the side surface of the transmitter  40  contacts with the transmitter mounting surface  22  of the adaptor  20 , and the bracket  42  contacts with the other side surface of the disk rotor  30  so as to apply the pressure to the disk rotor  30  toward the adaptor  20 . 
         [0065]    At this time, the engaging member  50  is engaged simultaneously to the engaging hole  26  and the penetration hole  44 . Therefore, the adaptor  20  and the disk rotor  30  are engaged by the transmitter  40  and the engaging member  50 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0067]    In a state that the disk rotor assembly  10  is engaged as shown in  FIG. 7 , the rotor contacting surface  24  of the adaptor  20  contacts with the adaptor contacting surface  34  of the disk rotor  30 . If the bracket  42  contacts with the other side surface of the disk rotor  30  and applies the pressure to the disk rotor  30  toward the adaptor  20 , the rotor contacting surface  24  supports the adaptor contacting surface  34  and the disk rotor  30  is fixed to the adaptor  20 . 
         [0068]    In addition, since an entire contour of the rotor contacting surface  24  supports the adaptor contacting surface  34 , a contact area between the rotor contacting surface  24  and the adaptor contacting surface  34  becomes large. Therefore, the adaptor  20  and the disk rotor  30  can be engaged with each other even though large load is not applied to the engaging member  50  and the transmitter  40 . 
         [0069]    Since the adaptor  20  and the disk rotor  30  are manufactured independently and are assembled by the transmitter  40  and the engaging member  50  instead of being integrally formed, the disk rotor  30  is not completely restricted by the adaptor  20  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, when heat deformation occurs at the disk rotor  30 , the heat deformation may be absorbed by the disk rotor  30 . Therefore, heat crack of the disk rotor  30  may be prevented and durability of the adaptor  20  and the disk rotor  30  may be improved. 
         [0070]    For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner” and “outer” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
         [0071]    The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise fauns disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.