Comparison of noise generated from simplex and duplex configurations of drum brake using non-linear vibro-acoustic models

Abstract

The drum brakes used on the rear wheels of automobiles have various configurations. These contribute to the differences in kinematic (geometry) and dynamic (contact, friction) aspects, eventually leading to significantly different vibration and acoustic response. This work attempts to estimate the difference in the vibro-acoustic noise generated by the drum brake's simplex and duplex variants using a combination of non-linear analytical vibration models and a numerical acoustic model. Four degrees-of-freedom lumped parameter models developed for the simplex and the duplex configurations with conformal contact predict the contact and reaction forces during braking. These forces act as the sources for the finite element based acoustic models developed for the two configurations to obtain the sound pressure to force transfer functions. The sound pressure levels are estimated by the product of the predicted forces with the respective transfer functions in the frequency domain. The sound pressure levels of the simplex and duplex drum brakes are quantitatively compared under different braking conditions, and the results are presented. It is expected that this vibro-acoustic analysis will help in designing quieter drum brakes.