POWERTRAIN The off-highway sector is praising a redesigned mechanical brake that fits into tight packages, haslow input efforts and eliminates any instability problems

BRAKING A COMEBACK

ball ramp brake - 11902 B

all-ramp technology has advanced greatly in the pastdecade. As the original inven-tor of the ball-ramp brake, Ausco Products, Michigan, has set out to change the funda-mental design to meet the challenges of21st century mechanical braking. Today’s ball-ramp brake providesmore braking in less space with less effort than any other mechanical brake design. These products are more stable,efficient, versatile, and problem-freethan any of their predecessors. Their excellent service record, cost effective- ness and flexibility in application make them the brake of choice for mechanicalbraking in the off-highway industry. user and the OEM alike. These advan-tages include:• Low cost (compared to other wet,multi-disc mechanical brake designs); • Low-user input effort; • Equal braking in both forward and reverse;• Compact size and low weight;• Able to be actuated mechanically or hydraulically; • Excellent reliability and customer satisfaction;• Constant braking effort throughoutthe brake’s life; • Long service life with minimal main- tenance; • Low sensitivity to variations in frictionresulting in consistent braking in allconditions – no ‘morning sickness’; • No lock-up potential; • Specifically designed for wet-brake systems, so no corrosion or rust potential.

History of ball-ramp brakes:

The ball-ramp brake was invented and patented by Ausco in 1946. At the time,many vehicles were having trouble with pedal effort and fade on the old mechan-icaldrum and band brakes. As vehiclesgrew heavier, the amount of force that an operator had to exert to achieve ade-quate braking was also growing. As thedrum brakes got hot, they expanded, creating excess brake fade. This created a need for better braking systems.Ausco designed the ball-ramp braketo meet this need. The original designwas called an energizing ball-ramp brake, which was a dry, double-acting servo brake that fed back friction from the brake into the actuating mechanism. This provided a ‘free’ 30-40% boost inbraking torque. The ball-ramp brake was originallyintended for use in automotive

User benefits

Ausco’s advancements of the ball-rampbrake have major advantages to the end