Simultaneous Stable Region Extension and Vibration Amplitude Reduction for Brake System Via a Nonlinear Vibration Energy Harvester

Abstract The friction-induced vibration between the brake pad and brake disk is a critical factor that significantly influences brake performance. The method for suppressing friction-induced vibration via expanding the stable region of the equilibrium point while reducing the vibration amplitude of the limit cycle is proposed. A friction-induced vibration model with nonlinear vibration energy harvester (NVEH) is modeled, from which the stability boundary of the equilibrium point is derived. The analysis reveals that the NVEH significantly widens the stable region of the equilibrium point. Furthermore, the stability boundary of the equilibrium point is found to be primarily governed by the linear parameters of the NVEH. A significant expansion of the stable region of the equilibrium point is achieved via optimizing the linear parameters of the NVEH. The optimization of the NVEH's nonlinear parameters is employed to mitigate the vibration amplitudes of the limit cycle. The tradeoff between vibration suppression and energy harvesting is addressed which indicates that an increase in the nonlinear parameters improves vibration suppression performance while reducing energy harvesting efficacy. Conversely, a decrease in these parameters enhances energy harvesting efficacy at the cost of reduced vibration control. Compared to the pure mechanical vibration absorber, there may exist an additional pathway for dissipating power when the electromechanical coupling effect is considered—transforming relatively complex vibrations into simpler ones, thereby dissipating vibrational energy. This research can provide a theoretical basis for the parameter design of NVEH intended for suppressing friction-induced vibration in brake system.