Cooling device for disc brakes, especially for automotive vehicles

Abstract

A cooling device is provided for a vehicle having disc brakes which are disposed within a wheel rim cover portion of the vehicle's wheels. One type of disc brake for which the cooling device is designed is that type having generally radially extending internal air ducts between its friction rings through which air can flow for cooling the brake. The air is supplied to the brake through overflow ducts in the vehicle's wheel hub, and is conducted via a guide device from the inside of the wheel, through the brake unit. The guide device includes an air guide housing which surrounds the brake disc generally on all sides in a close, spaced relation to the disc. First and second external air ducts are formed between a wall of the housing and the friction rings of the brake disc. The housing includes an outer member having at least two influx openings. The influx openings conduct air, from inside the wheels, to the overflow ducts in the wheel hub, the external ducts, and the internal ducts. The wheel rim cover portion includes a plurality of external openings which are disposed adjacent the efflux openings of the housing and are aligned therewith to conduct air from the efflux openings to the aligned openings in the wheel rim cover portion and ultimately to an area outside the wheel.