Enclosure Design for Brake Wear Particle Measurement Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

The harmfulness of fine dust generated by automobile brakes to the environment has recently received attention. Therefore, we aimed to analyze and regulate the brake wear particles in dynamometers. To accurately measure the number of particles and particle mass, the sampling system used needs to minimize transportation losses and reduce the residence time in the brake enclosure system. The brake dust measurement system currently used can estimate the main transportation loss but cannot evaluate the complex flow field in the brake enclosure system under different design conditions. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology to predict the behavior of brake wear particles and analyze the static pressure characteristics, the uniformity of the system flow, and the residence time of the brake dust particles in the system. In addition, we compared the design of the basic structure of the brake enclosure system, combined with the four factors affecting the design of the brake dynamometer, with the enclosure system. As a result, we proposed that the design of the cross section of the brake dynamometer enclosure should be circular, the outlet angle of the enclosure should be 15°, the caliper should be fixed to 150°, and two sets of splitters should be added. This design improves pressure loss and reduces the residence time of brake dust particles in the brake enclosure system.