Braking apparatus operated via resilient deformation of coned disk

Abstract

A braking apparatus performs its braking action by pressing a brake bush radially inwardly against a rod. The brake bush is pressed via a plurality of coned disk springs, each of which has a plurality of outer and inner radial recesses extending from its outer and inner peripheral edges, respectively. The outer and inner recesses are arranged in an alternating fashion along the circumference of the spring. As a brake piston moves in the axial direction of the rod, the inner peripheral edge of each of the springs is compressed or deformed radially inwardly. The brake piston is moved by compressed air supplied from outside. By increasing the radial length of each of the inner radial recesses of the coned disk springs in such a manner that the radial outward end of the recess is located far beyond the radial inward end of each adjacent outer radial recess, it is permitted to provide at least three or more coned disk springs around the brake bush. Thus, abrasion of each coned disk spring can be minimized, and durability of the braking apparatus can be greatly enhanced. Further, by forming each of the coned disk springs so as to have a rectangular sectional shape, it is possible for the braking apparatus to perform a sufficient braking function even when the outer and inner peripheral edges of the coned disk springs have been abraded to a considerable degree.