Analysis of design parameter effects on vibration modes of a motorcycle drum brake and brake shoe using the finite element method

Abstract

The natural frequencies and vibration modes of the particular motorcycle drum brake and brake shoe have been determined using the finite element method. The results show that the drum brake has 42 mode shapes in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 12 kHz. Most of the mode shapes occurred in pair (repeated root). The brake shoe is found to have 10 mode shapes in the frequency range analysed. Parametric analysis has also been conducted to study the effect of various design parameters to the occurrence of natural frequency of the model and the results have been presented in the frequency response function. The results show high modal density in the frequency range of 1500 – 2000 Hz and 5600 – 6400 Hz. Modal density of the drum can be reduced by increasing its stiffness for the low frequency range and increasing flange stiffness for the high frequency range. These results indicate important parameters for the design and prevention of drum brake noise.