GB2242946A

GB2242946A - Vehicle disc brake assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2242946A
Application number: GB9102575A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Kenneth Brown; Graham Beck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-06
Filing date: 1991-02-06
Publication date: 1991-10-16
Also published as: GB9002633D0; GB9102575D0

Abstract

A disc brake assembly for a front wheel of a vehicle comprises a support plate for location about the hub of the respective vehicle axle and for securement to a stub axle of the vehicle. Means are provided for securing a disc brake pad caliper rigidly to the support plate. A brake disc includes a disc-shaped braking surface which extends radially outwardly from an axially extending tubular portion to distance the braking surface from the stub axle of the vehicle such that the braking surface can, on assembly, pass between brake pads of the caliper. The dimensions of the caliper and the disc brake are such that they are capable of being located substantially or entirely within the concave rim of a wheel fitted on the respective vehicle axle.

Description

Vehicle Disc Brake Assemblies This invention relates to vehicle disc brake assemblies and, more especially, but not exclusively, to a kit of parts by which a conventional drum brake assembly fitted to a front wheel of a vehicle can be replaced by a disc brake assembly.

It is well known that vehicles having relatively small turning circles, such as taxi cabs which are required to have a turning circle no greater than twenty five feet in diameter, are fitted with drum brakes on.

their front wheels because of mechanical restraints imposed by the need to turn the front wheels through a significant angle to achieve the required turning circle.

Previous attempts to fit disc brakes to the front wheels of such vehicles have not been successful due inter alia to fouling of the disc brake assemblies, wheel or tyre by the adjoining structure of the vehicle.

The present invention sets out to provide a disc brake assembly and a kit of parts for fitting such an assembly to a front wheel of a vehicle which does not suffer from the disadvantages discussed above.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a disc brake assembly comprising a support plate for location about the hub of a vehicle axle, means for securing the support plate to a stub axle of a vehicle, a disc-shaped braking surface which extends radially outwardly from an axially extendina tubular surface dimensional to distance the braking surface from the stub axle of the vehicle to enable the braking surface to pass, on assembly, between brake pads of a caliper carried by the support plate, the dimensions of the assembled disc brake being such that it is capable of being located substantially or entirely within the concave rim of a wheel fitted on the respective vehicle axle.

According to the present invention in another aspect there is provided a kit of parts for fitting a disc brake assembly to a front wheel of a vehicle, the kit comprising a support plate for location about the hub of the respective vehicle axle and for securement to a stub axle a disc brake pad caliper carried by the support plate, a disc brake including a disc-shaped braking surface which extends radially outwardly from an axially extending tubular surface adapted to distance the braking surface from the stub axle of the vehicle such that the braking surface can, on assembly, pass between brake pads of the caliper the dimensions of the caliper and the disc brake being such that they are capable of being located substantially or entirely within the concave rim of a wheel fitted on the respective vehicle axle.

The support plate may include a sideways extending section to which the disc brake caliper can be rigidly secured. Alternatively, the caliper may be formed integrally with the support plate.

The disc brake caliper may be connected to an hydraulic fluid supply through a metal pipe which enters the caliper from above or any other suitable location.

Electrical sensors operable to alert a driver of the vehicle to excessive brake wear may be provided.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of disc brake assembly in accordance with the invention fitted onto the hub of a vehicle axle; Figure 2 is a front view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a support plate forming part of the assembly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a side view of a disc brake forming part of the assembly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated includes a backing plate 1 which, as shown in Figure 2, is secured by bolts 2 to a stub axle 3 of the suspension unit 4 of the vehicle. As will be seen from Figure 3, the backing plate 1 is formed with an opening 5 to enable the plate to pass over the respective wheel hub 6 before being secured to the stub axle 3. The backing plate 1 also includes a sideways extending section 7 to which a disc brake pad caliper 8 can be secured by bolts 9. The extending section 7 may be rigidly secured to the plate by, for example, bolts or may be formed integrally therewith.

The caliper 8 is connected to a hydraulic fluid supply of the vehicle through a metal pipe 11 which enters the caliper from above. An electric cable 12 connectable to a warning light in the vehicle cabin is provided, the cable being connected to sensors to warn the vehicle driver as and when excessive brake wear has occurred.

A disc brake 14 is positioned on the wheel hub and is secured by bolts 15 to the respective wheel bearing housing. The disc brake 14 is formed with a series of holes positioned in a complementary sense to the hub bolts 16 by which the respective vehicle wheel is secured to the hub to enable the brake disc to be moved rearwardly over the hub.

As will be seen from Figure 4, the disc brake 14 includes a radially outwardly extending generally flat braking surface 18 and a generally tubular surface 19 which spaces the braking surface 18 from the stub axle 3.

The bolts 15 pass through holes formed in the end face of the tubular section 19. When assembled on the vehicle hub, the braking surface 18 passes between the brake pads of the caliper assembly.

The dimensions of the caliper and the disc brake are such that when a wheel is fitted onto the hub 6, the caliper 8 and the disc brake 14 lie generally within the concave rim of the wheel. This removes the opportunity for any possible fouling of the disc brake assembly with the vehicle structure. In addition, the positioning of the hydraulic fluid pipes 11 ensures that no excessive forces are imposed on the pipes when the wheels are turned to their maximum angles.

It is to be understood that the apparatus described is exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A disc brake assembly comprising a support plate for location about the hub of a vehicle axle, means for securing the support plate to a stub axle of a vehicle, a disc-shaped braking surface which extends radially outwardly from an axially extending tubular surface dimensional to distance the braking surface from the stub axle of the vehicle to enable the braking surface to pass, on assembly, between brake pads of a caliper carried by the support plate, the dimensions of the disc brake assembly being such that it is capable of being located substantially or entirely within the concave rim of a wheel fitted on the respective vehicle axle.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support plate includes a sideways extending section to which the disc brake caliper can be secured.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the disc brake caliper is connected to an hydraulic fluid supply through a metal pipe which enters the caliper from above.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 further including electrical sensors operable to alert a driver of the vehicle to excessive brake wear.

5. A kit of parts for fitting a disc brake assembly to a front wheel of a vehicle, the kit comprising a support plate for location about the hub of the respective vehicle axle and for securement to a stub axle of the vehicle, a disc brake pad caliper carried by the support plate, a disc brake including a disc-shaped braking surface which extends radially outwardly from an axially extending tubular surface adapted to distance the braking surface from the stub axle of the vehicle such that the braking surface can, on assembly, pass between brake pads of the caliper the dimensions of the caliper and the disc brake being such that they are capable of being located substantially or entirely within the concave rim of a wheel fitted on the respective vehicle axle.

6. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the support plate includes a sideways extending section to which the disc brake caliper can be secured.

7. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the disc brake caliper is connected to an hydraulic fluid supply through a metal pipe.

8. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7 further including electrical sensors operable to alert a driver of the vehicle to excessive brake wear.

9. A disc brake assembly substantially as herein described and as described in Figures 1 to. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A kit of parts substantially as herein described and as described in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.