Computation of the Temperature between Brake Disk and Pad

The authors present a computation method which is based on an analytical approach describing the temperature distribution due to a moving heat source. This approach has been adapted to the technical problem of the diskpad contact and programmed in MATLAB. In particular, the inhomogeneous pressure distribution in the contact plane has been taken into account. Further, FE-calculations have been conducted to ascertain the correctness of the analytical approximation. By this combination of analytical and numerical methods an efficient calculation of the contact temperature became possible which is by far faster than corresponding FE-calculations. The results have been confirmed by measurements using a brake test rig and an IR-camera system.