IT201800020581A1 - Pad and spring assembly for disc brake and brake caliper - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled:

"Pad and spring assembly for disc brake and brake caliper"

DESCRIPTION

[0001]. Field of the invention

[0002]. The subject of the present invention is a pad and spring assembly for a brake caliper.

[0003]. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a brake caliper for a disc brake comprising said assembly.

[0004]. State of the art

[0005]. In a disc brake, the brake caliper is generally arranged astride the outer peripheral edge of a brake disc, adapted to rotate around an axis of rotation defining an axial direction (X-X). In a disc brake, a radial direction (R-R) is also defined, substantially orthogonal to said axial direction (X-X), and a tangential (T-T) or circumferential (T-T) direction, orthogonal both to said axial direction (X-X), and to called radial direction (R-R).

[0006]. A brake pad comprises a plate on which a friction material is fixed, suitable for pressing against a facing braking surface of the braking surface of the brake disc. The plate may include audible wear indicators, sometimes embedded in the friction material, which have the function of emitting a sound, rubbing against the braking surface of the disc, when the friction material has thinned axially due to prolonged use. . The axial (X-X), radial (R-R) and tangential (T-T) or circumferential (T-T) directions are understood to be defined on a brake pad, even when it is in a configuration not installed on a brake caliper.

[0007]. A known type of pad is the so-called pad of the type suspended on pins, which provides eyelets made in the pad plate and suitable for receiving pins specifically provided in the caliper body intended to support the pad, in which, thanks to these pins, the action of braking is transmitted by the material of the plate which surrounds said eyelets to the body of the brake caliper.

[0008]. A different type of pads is the so-called type pad resting on the caliper body, which is housed in a special pocket made in the caliper body, in which the braking action is transmitted from one side of the pad plate to the caliper body when said side of the plate abuts against a facing abutment surface of the pocket of the caliper body, at the beginning of the braking action of the vehicle. The pins associated with this type of pads act as axial sliding guides, to guide the movement of the pads approaching the disc and moving the pads away from the disc.

[0009]. Typically, the body of the caliper is made of metal such as aluminum, or aluminum alloy, such as aluminum and lithium, or steel, and can be obtained by casting, but also by mechanical machining by chip removal, as well as for forging.

[0010]. In the floating caliper bodies associated with fixed discs, a floating portion of the caliper body has a cylinder or cylinders suitable for accommodating hydraulic pistons capable of exerting a thrust action on the pad facing it, abutting it against the braking surface of the disc as it slides on bracket, or fixed portion of the caliper and acts on the second clutch pad abutting it against the opposite braking surface of the brake disc to exert the braking action on the vehicle.

[0011]. In known fixed caliper bodies associated with fixed discs, in both axially opposite sides of the caliper body there is a cylinder or cylinders suitable for accommodating pistons, preferably hydraulic pistons, capable of exerting a thrust action on brake pads to abut them against the respectively facing the braking surfaces of the disc, to exert the braking action on the vehicle.

[0012]. The pressure applied by the driver of the vehicle on the brake pedal exerts a pressure of the brake fluid which through a duct is applied to the brake fluid present in the hydraulic circuit located inside the caliper body up to the cylinders where the pressure is exerted on the surface of the bottom of the pistons forcing them to tighten against the brake pads, which in turn abut against the braking surfaces of the disc.

[0013]. The caliper body deforms as a function of the torque exerted by the action of the pistons that abut the pads against the braking surfaces of the disc applied in directions that form torque arms with respect to the fixing points of the caliper body to its support. These torques deform the caliper body also in a tangential and radial direction with respect to the disc, as well as axial, leading to an increase in the stroke of the pistons and therefore to an increase in the stroke of the brake system control pedal.

[0014]. When the braking action ceases, the caliper body returns to its undeformed configuration, moving closer to the braking surfaces of the disc and at the same time the piston of the cylinder-piston group receives a thrust away from the disc through the action of piston retraction devices, usually seals integrated in the piston dust cover as shown by documents US-2013-192936 and US-2014-231190 in the name of the same Applicant.

[0015]. Typically, such piston retraction devices (known as "roll-back" devices) are provided at the interface between the piston and the respective cylinder and are designed to retract the piston within its cylinder by a limited predefined amount away from the respective cylinder. pad when the braking command ceases.

[0016]. In this situation, the approach of the caliper body to the disc is undesirable since it determines a contact, even if slight, between the brake pads and the braking surfaces of the disc, which causes a continuous slight friction and therefore a braking action known as residual torque. braking even when the braking command ceases.

[0017]. This residual braking torque is often considered undesirable, since it generates noise, albeit slight, caused by the friction action between the pads and the disc braking surfaces, unwanted wear of the brake pads and disc, and involves more frequent maintenance for the brake disc. their replacement, and a minimum fuel consumption to feed the drive unit even the minimum energy necessary to overcome this residual torque.

[0018]. For this reason, it is known to associate the spring brake pads which, cooperating with parts of the brake caliper body, exert a direct influence action in the axial direction (X-X) on the brake pads to move them away from the brake disc when the braking action ceases. attesting them against the pistons already retracted by the roll-back devices. During the braking phase, this action of influence away from the disc is overcome by the thrust action exerted by the pistons. On the other hand, when in the release phase or when the braking action ceases, these springs exert a thrust in the axial direction (X-X) aimed at moving the pads away from the braking surfaces of the brake disc, thus avoiding contact between the pads and the brake disc when no braking action is required.

[0019]. For example, document WO-2015-155708 in the name of the same Applicant shows a cross spring solution hooked above the bridge of the caliper body positioned as a rider of the disc and equipped with favorably inclined portions suitable for pressing against radially external portions of the brake pads. to move them away from the disc. This spring exploits the same inclined portions also to push the brake pad radially by acting on the radially outer edge of the brake pad. Cross spring solutions hooked to the caliper bridge of this type require to act on the radially external edge of the brake pad by necessarily providing a localized axial thrust which can lead to a misalignment of the pads with respect to the braking surfaces of the disc facing them which, for be compensated, generates non-uniform wear of the pad friction material, limiting the service life of the brake pads.

[0020]. Spring solutions are also known which work on lateral extensions which protrude in a tangential direction from the sides of the brake pad, as shown for example by the document US-2014-0305753, in which the spring plate is folded in such a way as to engage the brake pad. with one end thereof and the body of the gripper with the opposite end, extending with the portion folded tangentially alongside the plate. These solutions require an increased bulk in the tangential direction next to the pad both to house the ears of the pad and to house the folded portion of the spring, necessarily requiring to reserve volumes of free space in the caliper body tangentially next to the pad.

[0021]. A different known type of springs, shown for example in EP-0716246 and WO-92-18785, is located on the back of the brake pad and comprises a leaf body which engages alternatively to the piston or undercut against an elongated portion facing the wheel of the vehicle of the caliper body of a floating brake caliper. For example, US-2002-096404 shows a leaf spring solution adapted to undercut the walls of an annular groove provided in the piston.

[0022]. A further spring solution that can be associated with the piston for shape coupling is shown in document US-2015-323024 in the name of the same Applicant, which discloses a spring solution comprising a plurality of petals suitable for pressing, when inserted in a respective lightening cavity substantially cylindrical of the piston, against the axial walls of this cavity.

[0023]. Spring solutions attached to the piston body have the advantage of providing the brake pad with an elastic influence action applied in the area of the back of the pad where it presses one or more pistons, and therefore offer the possibility of substantially acting on the center of gravity of the pad. brake. However, these known solutions are by no means free from drawbacks, as they necessarily limit the cooling capacity of the piston and therefore of the brake fluid housed in the cylinder. Furthermore, these springs can damage the dust guard that protects the cylinder-piston unit from the penetration of dust and impurities, requiring frequent maintenance. Even when replacing the brake pads as well as during assembly, these spring solutions require laborious operations to remove the entire brake caliper, access the pistons to hook the spring or, if necessary, the pre-assembled pad and spring assembly.

[0024]. The need is strongly felt to provide a spring solution to move the brake pad away from the braking surface of the disc when the braking action ceases and to abut it against the piston suitable for keeping the pad substantially parallel to the facing braking surface of the disc. brake disc and at the same time avoids imposing permanent hooks or connections to the piston body.

[0025]. The need is therefore felt to provide a spring solution to eliminate or at least reduce to a minimum the residual braking torque suitable at the same time to reduce the risk of misalignments between the brake pad and the braking surface of the disc facing it to promote wear. uniform friction material even in conditions of prolonged use, without requiring a laborious assembly.

[0026]. At the same time, the need is felt to provide a spring solution to move the brake pad away from the disc when the braking action of simplified assembly ceases with respect to known solutions.

[0027]. Solution

[0028]. An object of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and provide a solution to the needs complained of with reference to the state of the art.

[0029]. These and other objects are achieved with an assembly according to claim 1, as well as with a brake caliper according to claim 8.

[0030]. Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0031]. Thanks to the proposed solutions, it is possible to influence the brake pad against the thrust means of the brake pad, for example a piston of a cylinder-piston group, when the braking action ceases, without thereby binding the elastic device to the piston.

[0032]. Thanks to the proposed solutions, it is possible to influence the brake pad away from the disc when the braking action ceases, eliminating the onset of residual braking torque, and at the same time simplifying the assembly operations of the pads to the caliper body. and their maintenance.

[0033]. Figures

[0034]. Further features and advantages of the pad and spring assembly as well as the brake caliper will appear from the description below of its preferred examples of construction, given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures in which:

[0035]. Figure 1 is a radially external axonometric view of a brake caliper, according to an embodiment;

[0036]. Figure 2 is a radially internal plan view of the brake caliper of Figure 1;

[0037]. Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a portion of an elastic device, according to an embodiment;

[0038]. Figure 3bis is an axonometric view of a portion of an elastic device, according to an embodiment;

[0039]. Figure 4 is an isometric view of a portion of a pad and spring assembly, according to an embodiment;

[0040]. Figure 5 is an axonometric and partial section view of a detail of a brake caliper comprising a pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment;

[0041]. Figure 6 is an axonometric and sectional view of a portion of a brake caliper comprising a pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment, in which the section is made according to a cutting plane parallel to the axial and radial and passing directions for the straight line indicated with VI-VI in figure 2;

[0042]. Figure 7 is a sectional view of a portion of a disc brake upon cessation of the braking action comprising a brake caliper comprising a pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment, in which the section is made according to a plane of shear parallel to the axial and tangential directions;

[0043]. Figure 8 is a sectional view of a brake caliper when the braking action ceases, according to an embodiment, positioned astride a schematically represented disc, in which the section of the brake caliper is made according to a cutting plane parallel to the axial and radial directions and passing through the straight line indicated by VI-VI in figure 2;

[0044]. - figure 9 is a sectional view of a brake caliper during the braking action, according to an embodiment, placed astride a schematically represented disc, in which the section of the brake caliper is made according to a parallel cutting plane to the axial and radial directions and passing through the straight line indicated with VI-VI in figure 2;

[0045]. Figure 10 is a vertical elevation view of a portion of an elastic device, according to an embodiment;

[0046]. - figure 11 is a sectional view of the brake caliper of figure 2, made according to the cutting plane indicated with XI-XI in figure 2;

[0047]. Figure 12 is an axonometric view of a portion of an elastic device, according to an embodiment;

[0048]. Figure 13 is an axonometric view of a portion of an elastic device, according to an embodiment;

[0049]. Figure 14 is an axonometric view of a portion of a pad and spring assembly, according to an embodiment;

[0050]. - Figure 15 is an axonometric view of a portion of the elastic device of the pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment;

[0051]. Figure 16 is an axonometric and partial section view of a detail of a brake caliper comprising a pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment;

[0052]. Figure 17 is a sectional view of a portion of a brake during the braking action comprising a brake caliper comprising a pad and spring assembly according to an embodiment, in which the section is made according to a parallel cutting plane to the axial and tangential directions.

[0053]. Description of some preferred embodiments [0054]. In accordance with a general embodiment, a pad and spring assembly 1 is provided for a brake caliper 2 for a disc brake 10.

[0055]. In said disc brake 10 an axial direction X-X coincident or parallel to the rotation axis of a disc 3 of the disc brake 10 is defined. Said disc brake 10 also defines a radial direction R-R, orthogonal to the axial direction X-X, and a tangential direction T-T or circumferential T-T, orthogonal both to the axial direction X-X and to the radial direction R-R.

[0056]. Said pad and spring assembly 1 comprises at least one brake pad 4, suitable for pressing against a visible braking surface 13 of the disc 3 of the disc brake 10 when pushed by thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2.

[0057]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one brake pad 4 comprises friction material 19 suitable for pressing against said facing braking surface 13 of the disc 3, and a support plate 20 which supports the friction material 19, in wherein said support plate comprises a back of plate 21 opposite to the friction material 19.

[0058]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said thrust means 7 comprise at least one piston 7, for example a hydraulically and / or electromechanically actuable piston.

[0059]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said at least one piston 7 is slidably received in at least one respective cylinder formed in the caliper body 6 of the brake caliper 2. Preferably, said at least one respective cylinder is made in a single piece with the caliper body 6. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said caliper body 6 comprises at least one cylinder surface 22, for example with a substantially cylindrical geometry, suitable for facing said piston 7 when in operating conditions delimiting a seat of thrust means, and preferably between said cylinder surface 22 and said piston 7 there is interposed at least one retraction device 23, or roll-back device 23, suitable for retracting the piston 7 in the axial direction X-X with respect to the cylinder by a predetermined entity D7 when the braking. Preferably, said cylinder walls 22 delimit at least one annular groove which receives said at least one retraction device 23. According to an embodiment, said at least one annular groove defines a deformation chamber 25, suitable for receiving a portion of said device of retraction 23 dragged in the axial direction X-X by the movement of the piston 7 approaching the disc 3 during the braking action. In accordance with an embodiment, the extension in the axial direction X-X of said deformation chamber 25 of the annular groove that receives the retraction device 23 is substantially equal to said predetermined entity D7.

[0060]. Said pad and spring assembly 1 further comprises at least one elastic device 5, suitable for influencing said at least one brake pad 4 with respect to the caliper body 6 of the brake caliper 2 in the axial direction X-X.

[0061]. Said elastic device 5 comprises at least a first portion 11 firmly fixed to the brake pad 4, and at least a second portion 12, suitable to be associated directly or indirectly, by interposition of a lamination 8, with the caliper body 6. In this way, said first portion 11 avoids being fixed to the caliper body 6 as well as said second portion 12 avoids being fixed to the brake pad 4.

[0062]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least a second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is suitable for fastening to the caliper body 6.

[0063]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said at least a second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is adapted to be associated indirectly with the caliper body 6 by interposing a lamination 8. Preferably, said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is fixed to a lamination 8 in turn associated, for example hooked, to the caliper body 2.

[0064]. Advantageously, said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 avoids binding directly or indirectly to the thrust means 7, for example said at least one piston 7, of the brake caliper 2.

[0065]. When in operating conditions, the braking control determines the movement in the axial direction X-X approaching the disc 3 of the piston 7 with respect to the caliper body 6 which determines the axial dragging and deformation of the retraction device of the piston 23. In this way, the piston 7 pushes the brake pad 4 facing it, moving it by a predefined axial advancement D4 to exert the braking action on the disc 3, overcoming the elastic influence exerted by the elastic device 5 on the brake pad 4 away from the disc 3. When the braking command ceases, the retraction device 23, returning to its undeformed position, in other words by withdrawing from the deformation chamber 25, retracts the piston 7 with respect to the cylinder by a predetermined amount D7 substantially equal to said predetermined axial advancement D4 of the pad brake 4. At the same time, the brake pad 4 is elastically influenced by the di elastic device 5 in abutment against the piston 7, thus moving away from the facing braking surface 13 of the disc 3.

[0066]. Preferably, said predefined axial advance D4 is equal to said predefined entity D7.

[0067]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said first portion 11 of elastic device 5 is made in a single piece.

[0068]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said second portion 12 of elastic device 5 is made in a single piece.

[0069]. Advantageously, said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is made in a separate piece with respect to said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5. For example, said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 are both made starting from a sheet suitably sheared metal.

[0070]. Said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 are mutually coupled. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, one between said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises at least one hook 17 which engages with at least a respective portion for hooking the other between said first portion 11 and said second portion 12.

[0071]. In accordance with an embodiment, both said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprise a hook 17 and are hooked together by means of the respective hook 17. In other words, each of said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises a hook 17, and said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 are hooked together by means of the respective hook 17.

[0072]. According to an embodiment, said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 are coupled together, preferably by snap action, in series.

[0073]. In accordance with an embodiment, said brake pad 4, said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5, said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 are connected in series in the order indicated, and preferably said caliper body 6 is connected in series to said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 indirectly by interposing a lamination 8.

[0074]. With a further advantage, at least one of said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises at least one elastically deformable portion to exert an elastic influence action suitable for abutting the brake pad 4 against said thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2 which can be associated with said pad and spring assembly 1. In this way, it is possible to abut the brake pad away from the disc against said thrust means 7, retracting it axially when the braking command ceases.

[0075]. In accordance with an embodiment, one between said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises said at least one hook 17 and the other between said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises said at least an elastically deformable portion.

[0076]. Thanks to the provision of such a pad and spring assembly 1 it is possible to influence the pad elastically with respect to the caliper body 6 in the axial direction X-X independently of the piston 7.

[0077]. Thanks to the provision of such a pad and spring assembly 1 it is possible to influence the pad elastically with respect to the caliper body 6 in the axial direction X-X, avoiding hooking the brake pad 4 and / or the elastic device 5 to the piston 7.

[0078]. In accordance with an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the at least one elastic device 5 is firmly fixed near or at a definable M-M or N-N median axis of the brake pad 4.

[0079]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one brake pad 4 defines a first median axis M-M substantially parallel to the radial direction R-R and located substantially in the middle of the encumbrance in tangential direction T-T of the brake pad 4. In other words, said at least one brake pad 4 comprises opposite sides 26 which delimit the brake pad 4, and preferably the support plate 20, in the tangential direction T-T and said first median axis M-M is substantially equidistant from said opposite sides 26 and preferably intersecting said brake pad 4 in at least said back of plate 21.

[0080]. According to an embodiment, said opposite sides 26 avoid delimiting lateral projections or lateral ears extending tangentially away from the first median axis M-M.

[0081]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one brake pad 4 defines a second median axis N-N orthogonal to said first median axis and substantially parallel to the tangential direction T-T.

[0082]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one brake pad 4 defines a second median axis N-N substantially parallel to the tangential direction T-T and located substantially in the middle of the space occupied in the radial direction R-R of the brake pad 4. In other words, said at least one brake pad 4 comprises opposite radial edges 24 which delimit the brake pad 4, and preferably the support plate 20, in the radial direction R-R and said second median axis N-N is substantially equidistant from said opposite radial edges 24 and preferably intersecting said brake pad 4 in at least said back of plate 21.

[0083]. In accordance with an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the at least one elastic device 5 is firmly fixed near or at the intersection of said definable median axes M-M or N-N of the brake pad 4.

[0084]. According to an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the at least one elastic device 5 is firmly fixed in proximity to or in correspondence with a definable barycentric axis of the brake pad 4, while avoiding being fixed or hooked directly or indirectly by means of said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 to the thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2. The term "barycentric axis" means a portion of the brake pad 4 axially aligned with the center of gravity of the brake pad 4. Preferably, said barycentric axis is passing through for the intersection of said definable median axes M-M or N-N of the brake pad 4.

[0085]. According to an embodiment, said at least one hook 17 is elastically deformable. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said at least one hook 17 of a portion 11 or 12 of the elastic device 5 is elastically deformable exclusively to allow the other portion 12 or 11 of the elastic device 5 to snap into place. In this way , said hook 17 avoids elastically deforming during the braking action and / or when the braking action ceases.

[0086]. In accordance with an embodiment, said elastically deformable portion is an arched portion 9 suitable for unwinding to exert said elastic influence action suitable for abutting the brake pad 4 against said thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2 which can be associated with said assembly 1 In this way, the elastic device 5 is elastically charged by at least partially unwinding the arched portion 9. Preferably, said arched portion 9 comprises an internal surface 15 or abutment surface 15 suitable for forming an abutment abutment for elastically influencing said brake pad 4 away from disc 3.

[0087]. According to an embodiment, said elastically deformable arc portion 9 forms a hook.

[0088]. In accordance with an embodiment, said elastically deformable arc portion 9 is hooked to said at least one hook 17, by means of said abutment surface 15.

[0089]. In accordance with an embodiment, at least one of said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises a band body, or leaf body, or band body, preferably made of spring steel. According to an embodiment, at least one of said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is made with an elastic lamina.

[0090]. In accordance with an embodiment, said arched portion 9 comprises a ribbon body, or foil body, at least partially wrapped around a winding axis W-W to form said arched portion 9 and at least partially delimiting an internal cavity 29 in proximity or in correspondence with the winding axis W-W, in which said abutment surface 15 faces the winding axis W-W. According to an embodiment, the body of at least one of said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is a ribbon body, or foil body, which extends along a predefined longitudinal direction of a foil body and it is wound around a winding axis W-W oriented transversely to said predefined longitudinal direction of the body in a foil.

[0091]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said arched portion 9 is made in the form of a roll portion in which the arched portion 9 is wound in a spiral around a winding axis W-W defining an internal surface of roll or surface of abutment 15, facing the winding axis W-W, and an external surface 16, opposite said abutment surface 15. Preferably, said roll portion defines an internal roll cavity 29 near or in correspondence with the winding axis W-W, wherein said abutment surface 15 faces said internal roll cavity 29.

[0092]. According to an embodiment, said winding axis W-W is oriented transversely with respect to the axial direction X-X.

[0093]. According to an embodiment, as shown for example in Figure 5, said winding axis W-W is oriented substantially parallel to the tangential direction T-T.

[0094]. According to an embodiment, as shown for example in Figure 16, said winding axis W-W is oriented substantially parallel to the radial direction R-R.

[0095]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the arc portion 9 is wound in a spiral around a winding axis W-W forming said roll portion and forming a predefined number of coils superimposed on each other away from the axis of W-W winding.

[0096]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said at least one hook 17 is suitable for engaging, preferably by snap-hooking, with said roll portion so that the abutment surface 15 cooperates with said at least one hook 17 to exert said influencing action elastic adapted to abut the brake pad 4 against said thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2 which can be associated with said assembly 1.

[0097]. In accordance with an embodiment, as shown for example in Figure 16, said at least one hook 17 engages with said roll portion so that the abutment surface 15 cooperates with said at least one hook 17 to exert said elastic influence action adapted to abut the brake pad 4 against said thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2 which can be associated with said assembly 1. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said roll portion is fitted, preferably with play, on the hook 17. Preferably, during the assembly of said assembly, the arched portion 9, preferably in the form of a roll, is fitted onto the hook 17 by its movement in the radial direction R-R away from the axis of rotation of the associable brake disc 3 of the disc brake. In this way a simplified assembly of the second portion 12 on the first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is allowed.

[0098]. In accordance with an embodiment, said hook 17 extends in correspondence with the median axis M-M or N-N of the brake pad 4 and with respect to it axially offset away from the brake disc 3.

[0099]. According to an embodiment, said hook 17 is made with a metal sheet folded to surround a hook lumen 42 substantially directed in the radial direction R-R.

[00100]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one hook comprises a longitudinal hook opening 43, substantially directed in the radial direction R-R. In this way, said hook 17 defines a cross section evaluated in the plane defined by the axial directions X-X and tangential T-T arcuate in an open loop.

[00101]. According to an embodiment, the cross section of the hook 17, evaluated in the plane defined by the axial X-X and tangential T-T directions, has at least one cusp point 44 suitable for abutting against said abutment surface 15 of the second portion 12 of the elastic device, so as to define a minimum contact area ideally coinciding with a radial line. Preferably, the cross section of the hook 17 has two points of the cusp 44 placed at tangentially opposite sides with respect to the winding axis W-W of the roll portion.

[00102]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is firmly fixed, for example riveted, to a substantially barycentric portion of the back of the plate 21 of the brake pad 4 and comprises said at least one hook 17, and preferably two opposite hooks 17, and in which said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 forms said roll portion hooked, preferably snap-hooked, to said at least one hook 17 of the first portion 11, so that said abutment surface 15 is said at least one hook 17 go into mutual abutment to affect the back of the plate 21 of the brake pad 4 abutting against said thrust means 7, avoiding hooking the elastic device to the thrust means 7. Preferably, the second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is fixed to the caliper body 6, directly or indirectly through the interposition of a lamination 8.

[00103]. The provision of such an assembly 1 brings the abutment surface 15 of said roll portion into abutment with said at least one hook 17 both during the movement of the brake pad 4 moved towards the disc 3 by the thrust means 7, unrolling the portion a roll, both during the retraction of the thrust means 7 in which the elastic rewinding of the roll portion around the winding axis W-W keeps the abutment surface 15 abuts with said at least one hook 17 causing the axial movement of the brake pad 4 away from the facing braking surface 13 of the disc 3. In this way, it is possible to exert a balanced elastic influence action, minimizing the risk of misalignments between brake pad 4 and disc 3, for example due to asymmetrical influencing actions or unbalanced in the retraction phase on various peripheral portions of the brake pad 4.

[00104]. In accordance with an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 comprises said at least one hook 17 made by cutting and bending a portion of a metal sheet which acts as a bracket 27 extending axially from the back of the plate 21 of the brake pad 4 .

[00105]. In accordance with an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the elastic device comprises a pair of opposed brackets 27 comprising a pair of opposed hooks 17 protruding towards each other in a direction transverse to the axial direction X-X to engage with said roll portion of the second portion 12 of the elastic device 5.

[00106]. In accordance with an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the elastic device comprises a bracket 27 comprising a bracket arm which protrudes axially from the back of the plate 21 forming a second arm radially directed and connected to the hook 17.

[00107]. The distance between said opposite brackets 27 of the first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is chosen so that it is greater than the transverse extension of the leaf-like body which forms the arched portion 9, preferably wound to form said roll portion, of the second portion 12 of the elastic device 5, so that said hooks 17 which protrude towards each other, each forming an invitation chute 28.

[00108]. When in the assembly phase, said guide slides 28 are elastically deformed away from each other when pushed in the axial direction X-X by the external surface 16 of the roll portion to snap into the internal cavity 29 delimited by the roll portion near the axis of winding W-W.

[00109]. According to an embodiment, said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 comprises a fixing portion to the pad 31, which forms a firm fixing with a fixing portion 32 of the brake pad 4. According to an embodiment, the fixing portion 32 of the brake pad 4 forms a seat which receives in an undercut said portion of fixing to pad 32 of the first portion 11 of the elastic device 5. According to an embodiment, the portion of fixing to pad 31 of the first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 and the fixing portion 32 of the brake pad 4 are associated with each other by means of at least one fixing system, such as for example: at least one screw, at least one rivet, welding, or the like.

[00110]. In accordance with an embodiment, said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 comprises a fixing portion suitable for connecting to a portion of the caliper body 6 or suitable for attaching to a lamination 8 in turn connected to the caliper body 6.

[00111]. According to an embodiment, said arched portion 9 of the elastic device 5 is in the form of a ribbon or sheet and comprises a first end of an arched portion wound around said winding axis W-W and a second end of an arched portion or fastening end suitable for fastening, by means of at least one fastening system, directly or indirectly by interposition of a lamination 8 to the caliper body 6. Preferably said at least one fastening system comprises: at least one screw, at least one rivet, welding, or the like .

[00112]. In accordance with an embodiment, said pad and spring assembly 1 further comprises at least one lamination 8 suitable for connecting to at least a portion of a caliper body 6 which can be associated with said assembly 1 and comprising at least a spring fixing portion firmly fixed to said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5. Preferably, said at least one lamination 8 is suitable for snapping onto at least a portion of the gripper body 6. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said at least one lamination 8 comprises at least one hooking portion of a lamination 33 suitable for snapping onto at least a portion of the gripper body 6. Preferably, said portion for engaging the lamination 33 comprises a shaped portion which forms a seat 34 suitable for receiving a protuberance of the gripper body 6, snapping onto it.

[00113]. In accordance with an embodiment, said sheet substantially acts as a yoke and simplifies the assembly and centering operations of the pad and spring assembly 1 to the caliper body 6.

[00114]. In accordance with an embodiment, said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is fixed integral with at least a portion of said lamination 8, for example by means of fixing means.

[00115]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one lamination 8 comprises at least one mounting abutment abutment 35, for example a free end of lamination, suitable for abutting against a wall of the caliper body 6 during assembly of the brake pad. 4 to which said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is fixed on said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 fixed to the lamination 8 which is in turn hooked to the caliper body 6.

[00116]. Thanks to such an assembly 1, a simplified assembly of the brake pads 4 to the caliper body 6 is allowed, and therefore a quicker replacement of them with respect to known solutions. In particular, thanks to the provision of a brake pad 4 to which said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 is fixedly fixed, and thanks to a lamination 8 for hooking said second portion 12 of the elastic device to the caliper body 6 it is possible to quickly hook said brake pad 4 to said caliper body 6, avoiding having to disassemble the thrust means 7 as well as allowing the brake caliper 2 to be maintained in its operating position placed astride the disc 3 of the disc brake 10.

[00117]. According to an embodiment, said lamination 8 comprises at least one elastically deformable portion. Preferably, said lamination 8 can be snapped onto said caliper body 6. In accordance with an embodiment, said lamination comprises a portion of bridge of lamination 41 suitable for straddling the disc 3, when in operating conditions, in the same way of yoke. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said lamination 8 is made in a single piece.

[00118]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said pad and spring assembly 1 comprises: at least two opposite and facing brake pads 4, at least two opposite elastic devices 5, each elastic device 5 being associated with a respective brake pad of said at least two opposite ones and brake pads 4 face, and a plate 8 fixed to both of said at least two elastic devices 5 and suitable to be placed astride the disc 3.

[00119]. In accordance with a general embodiment, a brake caliper 2 is provided for a disc brake 10.

[00120]. Said brake caliper 2 comprises a caliper body 6, suitable to be placed astride a disc 3 of the disc brake 10 defining an axial direction X-X coincident or parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc 3.

[00121]. Said brake caliper 2 further comprises at least one pad and spring assembly 1 according to any one of the previously described embodiments.

[00122]. Said brake caliper 2 also comprises thrust means 7, for example at least one piston 7, suitable for pushing said at least one brake pad 4 to abut it against a facing braking surface 13 of the disc 3 of the disc brake 10.

[00123]. Said at least a second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is associated directly or indirectly by interposition of a lamination 8 to the caliper body 6.

[00124]. Said elastically deformable portion of at least one of said first portion 11 and said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 exerts an action of elastic influence suitable for abutting the brake pad 4 against said thrust means 7 of the brake caliper 2.

[00125]. In accordance with an embodiment, said caliper body 6 comprises two opposing elongated elements 36, respectively suitable for facing directly or indirectly, by interposition of at least one brake pad 4, with opposite braking surfaces 13 of the disc brake disc 3. , and at least one gripper bridge 37 which connects said opposing elongated elements 36 to each other, placing themselves astride the disc 3. According to an embodiment, each of said opposing elongated elements 36 of the caliper body 6 defines at least one seat of means of thrust adapted to receive at least a portion of said thrust means 7. In this way, said brake caliper 2 is a fixed type caliper.

[00126]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said caliper body 6 comprises at least two seats of thrust means suitable for each receiving at least one piston 7 on the same elongated element 36.

[00127]. In accordance with an embodiment, said caliper body 6 comprises an even number of seats of thrust means suitable for each receiving at least one piston 7 on the same elongated element 36.

[00128]. In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one piston 7 comprises a body that delimits a piston cavity 30 open and facing the back of the plate 21, in which said piston cavity 30 is free from constraints with said elastic element 5. In this way, an improved cooling of the piston 7 as well as of the brake fluid is allowed.

[00129]. According to an embodiment, said brake caliper 2 comprises one or more pad sliding pins 38 suitable for guiding the movement in the axial direction X-X of said at least one brake pad 4. According to an embodiment, said support plate 20 of the brake pad 4 comprises one or more pin seats 39 suitable for receiving said one or more pad sliding pins 38. Preferably, said one or more pin seats 39 are at least two pin seats 39 and are placed tangentially next to said first portion 11 of the elastic device 5 firmly fixed to the brake pad 4.

[00130]. In accordance with an embodiment, said gripper body 6 comprises at least one portion for hooking to the lamination 40, suitable for forming a coupling abutment for at least a portion of said lamination 8. Preferably, said at least one portion for hooking to the lamination 40 comprises at least a protuberance projecting axially in a cantilever way, extending towards a facing back of plate 21 of said at least one brake pad 4. According to an embodiment, said seat 34 of the plate 8 receives said coupling portion to the plate 40, snapping onto it .

[00131]. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said caliper body 6 comprises at least one wall facing the pad 14, facing the back of the plate 21 of a brake pad 4 of the brake caliper 2, in which said wall facing the pad 14 substantially extends parallel to the radial R-R and tangential T-T directions, and in which said second portion 12 of the elastic device 5 is bound directly or indirectly by means of said lamination 8 to said wall facing the pad 14, avoiding hooking against a wall undercut with respect to said wall facing the pad 14 of the caliper body 6. Preferably, said wall facing the pad 14 is tangentially interposed between two adjacent seats of thrust means of the caliper body 6, each suitable for receiving at least one piston 7 of the brake caliper 2. In this way, said wall facing the pad, it is axially aligned with a substantially barycentric axis of the pad brake 4.

[00132]. Thanks to the characteristics described above provided separately or jointly with each other in particular embodiments, it is possible to obtain an assembly of pad and spring, as well as a brake caliper, which at the same time satisfies the above described requirements, which contrast with each other, and the aforementioned desired advantages, and in particular:

[00133]. - it allows to provide a substantially barycentric thrust to the pads away from the disc when the braking action ceases without interfering with parts of the thrust means;

[00134]. - it allows to provide a repeatable and balanced elastic influence action even in the case of prolonged use, making wear substantially uniform on various areas of the pads, extending their operating life;

[00135]. - it allows at the same time to cool more effectively the thrust means and, if they are hydraulically actuated, the brake fluid;

[00136]. - it allows a quick replacement of the pads, as it is not necessary to remove the brake caliper from the disc.

[00137]. To the embodiments described above, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, may make numerous changes, adaptations and replacement of elements with other functionally equivalent ones, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 Pad and spring assembly

2 Brake caliper

3 Disc

<4> Brake pad

5 Elastic device

<6> Caliper body

7 Means of thrust, or piston

<8> Sheet metal

9 Arched portion

<10> Disc brake

11 First portion of the elastic device

12 Second portion of the elastic device

13 Disc braking surface

14 Wall facing the pad of the caliper body

15 Impact surface

16 External surface

<17> Hook

19 Friction material of the brake pad

<20> Brake pad support plate

21 Back of plate

<22> Cylinder surface of the caliper body

23 Retraction device or roll back device <24> Radial edge of the brake pad

25 Deformation chamber

26 Side of the brake pad

27 Bracket

28 Invitation venue

29 Roll cavity

30 Piston cavity

<31> Fixing portion to the pad

32 Pad fixing portion

<33> Coupling portion of sheet metal

34 Plate coupling seat

<35> Plate mounting stop striker 36 Elongated element of the caliper body

37 Gripper bridge

38 Brake caliper pad sliding pin 39 Brake pad pin seat

40 Portion of coupling to the sheet

41 Sheet metal bridge

42 Hook lumen

43 Longitudinal opening

<44> Cusp of hook

D4 Default axial advance of the brake pad <D7> Default entity

X-X Axial direction

<R-R> Radial direction

T-T Tangential direction

M-M First median axis

N-N Second median axis

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Assembly (1) of pad and spring for a brake caliper (2) for a disc brake (10), in which an axial direction (X-X) is defined coincident or parallel to the axis of rotation of a disc (3) of said disc brake (10) which can be associated with the brake caliper (2), comprising: - at least one brake pad (4), suitable for pressing against a visible braking surface (13) of the disc (3) of the disc brake (10) when pushed by thrust means (7) of the brake caliper (2); - at least one elastic device (5), suitable for influencing said at least one brake pad (4) with respect to the caliper body (6) of the brake caliper (2) in the axial direction (X-X); wherein said elastic device (5) comprises: - at least a first portion (11) firmly fixed to the brake pad (4); - at least a second portion (12) adapted to be associated directly or indirectly by interposition of a lamination (8) to the caliper body (6); in which: - said first portion (11) is made in a separate piece with respect to said second portion (12); - said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) they are connected to each other; - at least one of said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) comprises an elastically deformable portion to exert an elastic influence action suitable for abutting the brake pad (4) against said thrust means (7) of the brake caliper (2) associable to said assembly (1). Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first portion (11) of the at least one elastic device (5) is firmly fixed near or at a definable median axis (M-M or N-N) of the brake pad ( 4); and / or in which said first portion (11) of the at least one elastic device (5) is firmly fixed near or in correspondence with a definable barycentric axis of the brake pad (4), while avoiding being fixed or hooked directly or indirectly by means of said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5) to the thrust means (7) of the brake caliper (2). Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said elastically deformable portion is an arched portion (9) suitable for unwinding to exert said elastic influencing action suitable for abutting the brake pad (4) against said means of thrust (7) of the brake caliper (2) associable to said assembly (1); and / or in which said arched portion (9) comprises an abutment surface (15), suitable for forming a abutment abutment to elastically influence said brake pad (4) away from the disc (3). 4. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein said arched portion (9) is made in the form of a roll portion in which the arched portion (9) is wound around a winding axis (W-W) defining an abutment surface (15), facing the winding axis (W-W), and an external roll surface (16), opposite to said abutment surface (15); and / or in which - said roll portion defines an internal cavity (29) near or in correspondence with the winding axis (W-W), in which said abutment surface (15) faces said internal cavity (29); and / or in which - said winding axis (W-W) is oriented transversely with respect to the axial direction (X-X), and preferably substantially parallel to the tangential direction (T-T), or substantially parallel to the radial direction (R-R). 5. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5) comprises at least one hook (17) which engages with at least one respective portion, for example said abutment surface (15), of the other between said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5), so that said hook (17) avoids deforming elastically during braking action and / or when the braking action ceases; and / or in which - said at least one hook (17) of a portion (11 or 12) of the elastic device (5) is elastically deformable, preferably exclusively to allow snap-hooking of the other portion (12 or 11) of the elastic device (5 ). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5) comprises a band or plate body, preferably made of spring steel . 7. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one lamination (8) suitable for connecting to at least a portion of a caliper body (6) which can be associated with said assembly (1) and comprising at least one spring fixing portion firmly fixed to said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5); and / or in which - said at least one lamination (8) is suitable for snapping onto at least a portion of the caliper body (6); and / or in which - said at least one lamination (8) comprises at least one portion for hooking the lamination (33) suitable for snapping onto an at least portion of the gripper body (6); and / or in which - said lamination (8) comprises at least an elastically deformable portion; and / or in which - said lamination (8) comprises a portion of bridge of lamination (41) suitable to be positioned as a rider of the disc (3), when in operating conditions; and / or in which - said pad and spring assembly (1) comprises: at least two opposite and facing brake pads (4), at least two opposite elastic devices (5), each elastic device (5) being associated with a respective brake pad of said at least two opposite ones and facing brake pads (4), and a plate (8) fixed to both of said at least two elastic devices (5) and suitable for seating the disc (3) of the disc brake (10). 8. Brake caliper (2) for a disc brake (10) comprising: - a caliper body (6), suitable for riding a disc (3) of the disc brake (10) defining an axial direction (X-X) coincident or parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc (3); - at least one pad and spring assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; - thrust means (7) suitable for pushing said at least one brake pad (4) to abut it against a facing braking surface (13) of the disc (3) of the disc brake (10); in which: - said at least a second portion (12) of the elastic device (5) is associated directly or indirectly by interposition of a lamination (8) to the caliper body (6); - said elastically deformable portion of at least one of said first portion (11) and said second portion (12) of the elastic device exerts an action of elastic influence suitable for abutting the brake pad (4) against said thrust means (7). 9. Brake caliper (2) according to claim 8, wherein said caliper body (6) comprises two opposite elongated elements (36), respectively suitable for facing directly or indirectly, through the interposition of at least one brake pad (4), to opposite braking surfaces (13) of the disc (3) of the disc brake (10), and at least one caliper bridge (37) which connects said opposing elongated elements (36) to each other and straddles the disc (3); wherein each of said opposed elongated elements (36) of the caliper body (6) defines at least one seat of thrust means suitable for receiving at least a portion of said thrust means (7), for example at least one piston (7); and / or in which - said caliper body (6) comprises an even number of seats of thrust means suitable for each receiving at least one piston (7) on the same elongated element (36). 10. Brake caliper (2) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said at least one piston (7) comprises a body which delimits an open piston cavity (30) facing towards the back of the plate (21), in which said cavity piston (30) is free from constraints with said elastic element (5); and / or in which said caliper body (6) comprises at least one wall facing the pad (14), facing the back of the plate (21) of a brake pad (4) of the brake caliper (2), in which said wall facing the pad (14) extends substantially parallel to the radial (R-R) and tangential (T-T) directions, and in which said second portion (12) of the elastic device (5) is bound directly or indirectly by means of said lamination (8) to said wall facing the pad (14 ), avoiding hooking against a wall undercut with respect to said wall facing the pad (14) of the caliper body (6); and / or in which - said wall facing the pad (14) is tangentially interposed between two adjacent seats of thrust means of the caliper body (6) each suitable for receiving at least one piston (7) of the brake caliper (2), so that said wall facing the pad (14) is axially aligned with a substantially barycentric axis of the brake pad (4).