Self adjusting wet brake for use with a transmission or transaxle

摘要

A self adjusting wet brake (100) positioned inside the housing (48, 54, 56) of a transaxle or transmission (30). The self adjusting brake assembly utilizes a brake pad (102) having a ramp surface (134) which is contacted by a cooperating surface (132) of a brake cam (104) for brake actuation. The cooperating surfaces allow the brake mechanism to automatically account for brake pad wear and the attendant decrease in brake pad thickness. As the brake pad wears and decreases in thickness, the brake cam progressively contacts the ramp surface of the brake pad to effect brake actuation. In one exemplary embodiment, the ramp surface is integral with the brake pad.