Application of Topological Design to Brake Discs of Light Vehicles to Improve Heat Dissipation

Topological optimization is a process that allows the design of optimal structural elements, maximizing or minimizing specific characteristics without altering their structural composition. In the case of brake discs, a thorough load analysis was performed to find a balance between applied stresses, safety factors, and mass reduction, without loss of mechanical properties. The discs that passed this analysis were subjected to computational fluid dynamics analysis to determine which disc would most efficiently dissipate the heat generated during operation, with the option of redesigning models. The results showed that the disc with 5 mm perforations reduced the maximum temperature by 8 ^∘C. It is important to remember that applying topology in brake disc design must be an iterative process, performing successive evaluations to determine the optimal shape, thickness, or arrangement of the proposed geometric changes. This ensures that the results are valid and justifiable from a technical and functional point of view.