KR20230112562A - Brake arrangement for a vehicle disc brake having noise-absorbing pad spring or pad clip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake device for a vehicle disc brake,
- Brake caliper device;
- at least one brake pad; and
- contains at least one pad spring or pad clip,
The pad spring or pad clip has at least one portion for contacting at least one of the brake pad and brake caliper device and at least one non-contact portion not in contact with either of the brake pad and brake caliper device, the non-contact portion having an elongated length (L) of at least 3 cm.
A pad spring for a brake device according to any of the preceding claims is also disclosed.

Description

Brake device for vehicle disc brakes having a sound-absorbing pad spring or pad clip {BRAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE DISC BRAKE HAVING NOISE-ABSORBING PAD SPRING OR PAD CLIP}

The present invention relates to a brake device for a vehicle disc brake (eg for a car or truck) and a pad spring or pad clip for such a brake device.

In a typical vehicle disc brake, a brake caliper device supports brake pads disposed on both sides of a brake disc. The brake caliper device has a guide recess for receiving a guide projection arranged on an opposite outer side of at least one brake pad. In this way, the brake pads are guided by the brake caliper device as they are pushed up against the brake disc.

It is known to arrange a so-called pad spring or pad clip between the brake caliper device and the at least one brake pad, in particular between the guide recess and the guide protrusion. The pad spring may be a pad clip that provides an additional spring function, in particular a reset spring function to reset the brake pads to their original position after braking. In this way, the brake pad can be reliably lifted from the brake disc after braking to prevent drag torque. Pad springs or pad clips can help reduce friction, allowing smooth displacement of the brake pads. Additionally, pad springs or pad clips can help absorb vibrations so that vibrations are not completely transferred from the brake pads to the caliper device.

Pad springs or pad clips are often secured to the brake caliper device. For example, a pad spring or pad clip may be clamped to the brake caliper device. Accordingly, the pad spring or pad clip usually has a shape matching the outer surface of the adjacent portion of the brake caliper device. In addition, in particular, a part of the pad spring or pad clip that contacts the guide projection of the brake pad may have a shape corresponding to the guide projection. In other words, the pad springs or pad clips are generally shaped according to the caliper devices and/or brake pads in order to ensure reliable contact between the pad springs or pad clips and the caliper devices and/or brake pads.

An example of a pad clip according to the prior art can be found in KR 2014 0067202 A.

A common design goal of existing pad springs or pad clips, in addition to ensuring that the pad springs or pad clips can contact and secure to the brake caliper device, is to reduce manufacturing costs by limiting the amount of material required and/or the number of manufacturing steps required, e.g., the number of bending operations required.

In existing vehicle disc brakes, a problem remains that an unacceptable level of brake noise can occur at least intermittently. This relates in particular to squeaking noise, which is a tonal, loud noise typically occurring at frequencies between 1000 Hz and 16000 Hz.

Various solutions are known to improve the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics of existing brake devices, including steel shims glued to the back side of the back plate of the brake pad assembly, various chamfers on the pads of the brake pad assembly, slots on the pad surface in contact with the disc, modifiers in the friction material of the brake pad, underlayers connecting the friction material to the back plate, and additional bulky bodies of certain components such as carriers or housings. The main effect of the shim is to isolate system modes from each other. These solutions can help improve squeaking noise characteristics, but in most cases, these solutions only work well under certain braking conditions (eg, low or high frequencies, cold or warm temperatures). Also, these solutions tend to increase cost and weight.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the noise reduction capabilities of vehicle disc brakes, in particular with respect to the reliability of noise reduction as well as the increased cost and weight associated with noise reduction measures.

This object is achieved by subject matter according to the attached independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the present specification and in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, a brake device for a vehicle disc brake is disclosed, and the brake device includes:

- a brake caliper device (which may also be referred to as a caliper device);

- at least one brake pad (eg for contacting the brake disc during braking); and

- at least one pad spring or pad clip, at least part of which may extend at least along a section of the outer edge of the brake pad,

The pad spring or pad clip has at least one portion for contacting at least one of the brake pad and brake caliper device and at least one non-contact portion that does not contact either of the brake pad and brake caliper device and/or extends freely.

Preferably, the non-contact portion has an elongated length of at least 3 cm, at least 5 cm, at least 8 cm, or at least 10 cm.

Contrary to the existing design goal of departing from existing noise reduction measures and keeping the materials and manufacturing steps of the pad spring or pad clip as small as possible, the present solution disclosed modifies the pad spring or pad clip so that the pad spring or pad clip has significant noise reduction capabilities.

When referring to a brake spring herein, unless it is clear or stated otherwise, it may equally include a pad clip that does not have a separate spring function, in particular a spring reset function.

In contrast to existing noise abatement measures, the disclosed solution focuses on airborne noise, especially sound waves that have already occurred. In other words, the present solution seeks to reduce the noise once it has already occurred. The non-contacting portion of the pad spring or pad clip can be configured to absorb and/or attenuate at least some of the noise so that only a low level of it is actually emitted to the wider environment.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the cost of extending the pad spring or pad clip to provide a non-contact portion may be less than the cost associated with other existing noise reduction measures. However, a significant noise reduction can still be achieved, in particular since the noise can be damped directly in and/or inside the brake device.

In general, the brake caliper device (separate from the presently disclosed non-contact portion), brake pads, and pad springs or pad clips can be constructed and arranged relative to each other according to known solutions.

For example, the caliper device may include a main caliper or a caliper frame. These have, for example, a bridge portion extending from one side of the brake disc to the other. Additionally, the caliper device may include a caliper bracket configured to slide relative to the main caliper or the caliper frame. Each of the main caliper/caliper frame and caliper bracket can accept and/or carry one brake pad.

In particular, the brake caliper device (eg, the main caliper) may include guide concavities in which guide protrusions of at least one brake pad are accommodated in each guide concave portion. A pad spring or pad clip may be disposed between the brake caliper device and the brake pads. This can in particular also be accommodated in the guide recess of the brake caliper device. For example, at least a part thereof may be sandwiched between the guide protrusion and the guide recess.

In one example, a brake pad has a longitudinal axis and two axially outer edge portions. The edge portions may form opposite edges of the brake pad. They may extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis and/or at least partially along or parallel to an adjacent side wall of the brake caliper device. The sidewall may include guide recesses as disclosed herein.

The brake pad may also have upper and lower edge portions. These can connect the axially outer edge parts to one another. The upper and lower edge portions may extend along a longitudinal axis. In particular, they may extend at a smaller angle (possibly zero) with respect to this than the axially outer edge portion. The upper edge portion may be closer to the bridge section of the caliper device, while the lower edge portion may be closer to the axis of rotation of the brake disc braked by the brake pads.

The bridge section of the caliper device can be constructed according to known examples and connects, for example, the so-called piston side and the finger side of the brake caliper device. It may extend from one side of the brake disc to the other, in particular to support the brake pads on both sides of the brake disc.

The various edge portions of the brake pad may be connected to each other at corner portions. These can preferably define the closed circumference of the brake pad. The corner portion may define a portion where the circumferential direction of the brake pad varies by, for example, more than 20% or more than 60%.

At least a section of the pad spring or pad clip preferably extends along one of the axially outer edge portions. In one example, two pad springs or pad clips are provided on opposite (eg, left and right) axially outer edge portions of the brake pad. These springs or clips may be formed and/or arranged mirror symmetrically to each other. These may be referred to as trailing or leading springs/clips based on the direction of rotation of the brake disc during forward driving. When providing a pair of brake pads, for example, integrally formed from a common sheet metal section, each trailing spring/clip of the brake pads can be connected to each other and/or each preceding spring/clip can be coupled to each other.

Accordingly, in a typical disc brake with two brake pads, there may be four separate pad springs or pad clips (two per brake pad), or two members each containing two pad springs or two pad clips (i.e., integrally formed or joined). Referring to the vehicle-facing inner and outer-facing outer sides of the brake disc in the latter case, the first of these members may include an inner trailing and inner leading pad spring/clip. The second member may include an outside trailing and an outside leading pad spring/clip.

Optionally, the pad spring or pad clip (eg away from the non-contact portion) does not extend along one of the upper or lower edge portions of the brake pad.

As an example, at least a portion of the non-contact portion extends toward (e.g., from an axially outer edge portion) the lower edge portion of the brake pad, in particular at least partially opposite the lower edge portion and/or at least partially facing the lower edge portion. The general design of the brake device is determined to have a free space near the lower edge portion of the brake pad, in particular near the corner portion connecting the outer edge portion and the lower edge portion. This space can advantageously be used to accommodate at least a portion of the non-contact portion and place the non-contact portion close to a possible source of the brake noise.

Additionally or alternatively, the non-contact portion may be located below the guide projection and/or guide recess. In general, references to terms such as above, below, above or below may relate to a radial direction defined with respect to the axis of rotation of the brake disc braked by the brake device. Also, these terms can refer to the proximity to the bridge section of the brake caliper device as described above.

The pad spring or pad clip may have at least one section that abuts against the brake caliper device and/or at least one section that abuts against the brake pad, in particular at least part of the guide protrusion of the brake pad. The pad spring or pad clip may have at least one clamping portion configured to be clamped to the brake caliper device. In one example, the clamping portion is located at the opposite end of the pad spring or pad clip compared to the non-contact portion.

By arranging the non-contact portion to extend freely in particular generally generally without contacting the additional member, the non-contact portion can vibrate freely to better absorb sound waves without transmitting said vibrations to other members. Thus, the degree of noise reduction is improved.

A part of a pad spring or pad clip can be considered to extend freely if the section contained therein does not come into contact with an adjacent member, in particular a brake pad or caliper device. For example, a pad spring or pad clip may have a width dimension extending along the axis of travel of the brake pad along which the brake pad moves during braking. According to the present disclosure, the non-contact portion of the pad spring or pad clip may require no contact with other members formed along the full width dimension of the portion. Similarly, it may be desired that no respective contact is formed along a length dimension extending perpendicular to the width dimension.

Thus, for example, a portion having a locally protruding punch-out for contact with a caliper device or brake pad may not represent a non-contact portion according to the present disclosure. This may also apply if the non-punched-out part of this part can extend some distance towards the caliper device and/or the brake pads. Each punch out may define at least local contact to another member along a width dimension.

It may be provided that the non-contacting part is incorporated on two opposite ends into the part of the pad spring or pad clip which, for example, contacts the brake pad or the caliper device. That is, the non-contact portion may be interposed between the two contact portions of the pad spring or pad clip and/or may define an intermediate non-contact portion. This still allows the non-contacting part to have considerable freedom and can attenuate noise, for example by vibrating.

According to one embodiment, the non-contacting parts merge into each contacting part at most at one end thereof. For example, the non-contacting part, for example starting from the respective contacting part, can freely extend into an open space in or adjacent to the brake device and/or at an angle to the contacting part.

In one example, the non-contact portion includes or forms the end of a pad spring or pad clip. These ends may be each free end of a pad spring or pad clip with a dedicated noise canceling function. This may represent the (eg radially) lowermost portion of the pad spring or pad clip and/or may be the portion of the pad spring or pad clip closest to the center of the brake disc. The end may be located below the aforementioned guide recess and/or guide protrusion.

The extended length of the brake pad may also be referred to as the developed length. This relates to the (imaginary) scenario of a pad spring or pad clip taking a linear or planar configuration. This may relate, for example, to a pre-bending condition of the metal strip in which a pad spring or pad clip is selectively created by bending.

Thus, the stretched length determines the surface area and/or general size of the non-contacting portion. The greater the surface area, the greater the range of interaction with sound waves. This can increase noise reduction.

The pad spring or pad clip may be an integral member. This may be a metal bending part. This configuration reduces the production cost of the pad spring or pad clip.

The non-contact portion may be inclined (eg, by at least 20°) with respect to an immediately adjacent portion of the pad spring or pad clip, and may be, for example, bent relative to it. This limits the manufacturing effort involved in providing a defined non-contact portion of the disclosed kind. Adjacent parts of the pad springs or pad clips may extend along the outer surface of the brake caliper device and/or the brake pad, in particular along an outer edge portion thereof, and in particular may contact.

Generally, the non-contact portion may form a freely protruding portion of the pad spring or pad clip. The non-contact portion may protrude, for example, with respect to a part of the pad spring or pad clip that contacts the caliper device and/or brake pad and/or a part of the pad spring whose shape is adjusted to the shape of the caliper device and/or brake pad.

In one example, the non-contact portion extends at an angle to an adjacent surface of the caliper device and/or any adjacent edge of the brake pad.

Additionally or alternatively, the non-contact portion may extend a distance and/or along the brake disc braked by the brake pad.

In a further embodiment, the non-contact portion extends along (but not necessarily parallel to, ie possibly at an angle to) the outer edge of the brake pad and/or towards the middle portion of the brake pad. The middle portion of the brake pad may include the geometric center of the brake pad. This can be a radial portion of the brake pad and/or can be encompassed by a radial section of the brake pad, the radial axis being defined with respect to the axis of rotation of the brake disc.

Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the non-contact portion may be arranged to face and/or face the lower edge portion of the brake pad. This can in particular result in non-contacting parts having significant lengths, for example more than 3 cm, thus promoting a noise reduction effect. Further, since it can extend along different edges of the brake pad, for example, along both the axially outer edge portion and the lower edge portion of the brake pad, it can improve the shielding effect and noise reduction capability.

For example, any of the examples discussed above regarding the position, extension, protrusion, and angle of the non-contacting portion relative to adjacent structures may assist in properly positioning the non-contacting portion to achieve significant noise reduction.

According to a further example, the non-contact portion may comprise a multi-wall section, for example a double-wall or triple-wall section. Within these sections, at least two walls may extend adjacent to each other and at a distance. The walls may be planar or formed by flat material sections. They may have shapes corresponding to each other, and may be bent, for example.

Spaces between walls (especially between each pair of directly adjacent walls) may be hollow. Alternatively, the space may be at least partially filled with a sound absorbing material such as foam.

In one embodiment, a multi-wall section includes at least one cavity between two (eg, immediately adjacent) walls of the multi-wall section. This cavity can be filled with a material different from the wall material of the multi-wall section (eg sound absorbing material). For example, the infill may be more porous, softer, or less dense than the material of the wall. The wall material is generally or may include metal and/or plastic.

The contact portion may be substantially or completely planar.

This can simplify manufacturing. According to a further embodiment, the non-contact portion is non-planar. This can help adjust the shape of the non-contact portion to the surroundings. For example, this may increase the surface area of the non-contacting portion by shaping the non-contacting portion to extend to an increased length but leaving a sufficient distance to adjacent members.

Additionally or alternatively, non-planar shapes may be selected to enhance noise reduction. For example, by shaping a non-planar shape according to any of the examples disclosed herein, noise reducing reflections and, in particular, the extinction of sound waves may be enhanced.

As an example, the non-contact portion may include (or may be a twist portion) a twist portion. For example, at least one twist extending in the width direction of the non-contact portion may be provided. Thus, the non-contact portion may have a folded or sharply buckled shape. The twisted part may be provided so that the non-contacting part is away from or towards the brake pad, or, in other words, convex or concave with respect to the brake pad. This improves the noise absorption effect.

According to one embodiment, the non-contact portion may include (or may be a curved section) a curved section. For example, the contact portion may be curved convexly or concavely, in particular with respect to the adjacent outer edge portion of the brake pad.

According to one embodiment, the non-contact portion may include (or may be) multiple bending sections. For example, the non-contact portion may be bent to assume an S shape.

Any of the above examples of a non-planar configuration of a non-contacting portion may relate to the macroscopic and/or global shape of the portion. It may be of other forms where localized and/or small kinks, curves or bends somewhat affect the surface profile, but do not necessarily affect the general shape of the non-contacting portion.

According to a further aspect, the non-contacting portion comprises a section with a surface profile, in particular a macroscopic surface profile. The surface profile can arise due to defined local shapes and/or local deformations of non-contacting parts. The surface profile may include a pattern in which profile elements such as shape elements are arranged. The pattern may be a regular pattern such as a grid. A surface profile may be a structural profile. This can define the surface structure and in particular the surface shape of the macroscopic non-contact parts.

The surface profile may be macroscopic in that it differs from the surface profile with surface roughness or, in general, properties of the material of the non-contacting portion. Instead, the non-contacting part can be intentionally processed, eg structured by deformation, bending or cutting according to the surface profile.

The surface profile can improve noise reduction, for example, by scattering impinging sound waves and thus promoting their extinction.

As an example, the non-contact portion includes a waved section. This may be an example of a macroscopic surface profile. Waves may be formed as or by local rounded bulges within the non-contacting portion. A series of waves may be distributed along the length dimension (extending perpendicularly to the aforementioned width direction) of the non-contacting portion. Alternatively, the series of waves may be distributed along the width direction or along an axis extending at a non-orthogonal angle to the width direction.

As an example, the non-contact portion includes a zigzag-shaped section. This may be an example of a fine surface profile. The zigzag shape may be formed as or by a local twist case in the non-contact portion. This series of twists can be distributed according to any of the above examples regarding the distribution of a series of waves.

In one example, the non-contact portion includes a plurality of bulges. They may be formed to protrude outward on one common side and/or in one common direction. This may be different from the waved section described above. Bulges can be formed as or by dents. A plurality of bulges may form an example of a macroscopic surface profile. This series of bulges can be distributed according to any of the above examples regarding the distribution of a series of waves.

In a further example, the non-contact portion includes at least one slot and/or at least one cut-out. This slot may be formed as an elongated cut or through hole. The cutout may be formed as a hole or opening having a compact (eg round) shape. A plurality of slots and/or cutouts may be provided from a regular pattern and/or macroscopic surface profile according to any of the examples disclosed herein.

In a further example, the non-contact portion includes at least one rib or elongated protrusion. These can function as reinforcing structures. Ribs or elongated protrusions may extend along the surface of the non-contact portion. They may extend along or parallel to the length or width dimensions of the non-contacting portion or at non-orthogonal angles to these dimensions.

In general, the form or shape element of the non-contacting part or of the surface profile as described herein can be integrally formed with the non-contacting part. Alternatively, they may be formed as separate elements that are preferably permanently attached (eg glued or welded) to the base element of the non-contacting part. Additionally or alternatively, apart from the slots and cutouts, they may be formed by and/or included in a coating or material layer applied to the respective base element of the non-contact portion.

According to one aspect, the stretched length is defined by the lateral edge of the non-contacting part, in particular by the developed length of said lateral edge. The side edge of the non-contact portion may be continuous with the side edge of the entire pad spring or pad clip. This may correspond to and/or define the material thickness of the pad spring or pad clip. The side edges may extend in a plane that includes the radial axis described herein and/or in a plane that extends parallel to the contact surface of the brake pad.

In a further example, the extended length is measured (or defined) in a plane extending parallel to the contact surface of the brake pad, the contact surface being placed in contact with a brake disc of a vehicle disc brake. If the side edge of the non-contacting part extends at an angle to the plane, the protrusion of the side edge into the plane may be taken into account for determining the extended length.

Also disclosed is a pad spring or pad clip (in other words, specifically a pad clip configured as a pad spring) for a brake device according to any aspect disclosed herein. Specifically, the brake device may include a brake caliper device and at least one brake pad. The pad spring or pad clip may include at least a portion extending along a section of the outer edge of the brake pad. The pad spring or pad clip may have at least one portion configured to contact at least one of the brake pad and brake caliper device and at least one non-contact portion configured to extend freely and not contact either of the brake pad and caliper device. The non-contact portion may have an elongated length of at least 3 cm or at least 5 cm.

A pad spring or pad clip may be constructed according to any of the additional examples disclosed herein.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in conjunction with the following figures. Reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings for the same or similar functional units.
1 shows part of a brake device according to a prior art example.
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a brake device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the pad clip of the brake device of Figure 2 is separated.
4 to 11 show alternative configurations of the non-contact portion of the pad clip of FIG. 3 .
12-18 illustrate different macroscopic surface profiles that may be provided to the non-contact portion of the pad clip of FIG. 2 .

1 shows a part of a brake device 1 according to a known prior art example. The brake device is configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to axis M.

The brake device 1 includes a caliper device 20 and brake pads 4 . The caliper device 20 is not shown entirely, as is evident from the horizontal cutting axis C in FIG. 1 . Also, the position of the bridge section 22 of the caliper device 20 is shown schematically only by dashed lines. In the example shown, one can see the caliper bracket of the caliper device 20 which can be located on the side of the brake disc facing the wheel rim, which is not illustrated.

The brake device 1 includes brake pads 4 . The brake pad 4 is a generally planar member having a friction surface disposed on a surface facing the viewer or alternatively on a surface facing away from the viewer. Any of these surfaces extend parallel to the brake disc, not shown. The geometric center of the brake disc, from which the axis of rotation extends, lies below the brake pad 4 (in FIG. 1 ) along axis M. Thus, axis M extends radially with respect to the axis of rotation. Note that the axis M also extends through the geometric center or generally through the middle portion of the brake pad 4 .

Also illustrated is a longitudinal axis LA of the brake pad 4 extending perpendicularly to the axis M. It connects the two axially outer edge portions 24 of the brake pad 4, only one of which can be seen in FIG. 1 . At both outer edge portions 24, guide projections 3 are formed. The outer edge portions 24 are connected to each other by a (radial) upper edge portion 28 and a radial lower edge portion 30 of the brake pad 4 .

Each guide protrusion 3 (ie, a guide ear) is received in a guide recess 34 of the caliper device 20 . The guide recess 34 extends perpendicular to the image plane of FIG. 1 . Thus, the guide recess extends along an axis of movement (not shown) of the brake pad 4 in which the brake pad 4 moves toward and away from the brake disc, which is not shown.

In the illustrated example, the brake pad 4 and the caliper device 20 do not directly contact each other, at least within the guide recess 34 . Instead, pad clips 13 are shown extending equally vertically into the image plane. The pad clip 13 is disposed axially (with respect to the longitudinal axis L) between the brake pad 4 and the caliper device 20 . The pad clip is bent from the metal sheet so that only the side edge 40 of the pad clip 13 is visible in the drawing shown.

The pad clip 13 includes a number of sections angled to each other as a result of bending. For example, as in FIG. 1 , the radially upper clamping portion 15 of the pad clip 13 includes a clamping section 8 that engages the protrusion 12 of the caliper device 20 with the hook part 6 . Also, the pad clip 13 includes an engaging section 10 for engaging with the concave portion 11 of the caliper device 20 . In this way, the pad clip 13 is fixed to the caliper 20 to avoid displacement along an unillustrated axis of movement of the brake pad 4, for example.

The pad clip 13 may provide a brake pad resetting function, that is, may be a pad spring. To this end, the pad clip may comprise an unillustrated elastically deformable section of a generally known kind that comes into contact with the brake pads 4 .

In a radially inward direction from the radially upper portion, the pad clip 13 is generally shaped according to the shape of the guide recess 34 . More specifically, the shape of the pad clip matches the shape of the guide recess 34 so that it can be accommodated inside while contacting the inner surface of the guide recess 34 . Similarly, the shape conforms to the contour of the guide projection 3 so that the outer peripheral surface of the guide projection 3 and specifically a part of the outer edge portion 24 included by said guide projection 3 also comes into contact.

At the radially lower edge of the guide projection 3, the pad clip 13 includes an end 42 that is twisted to contact both the outer circumference of the brake pad 4 and the caliper device 20.

Thus, it is clear that the pad clip 13 is shaped to firmly contact both the outer circumference of the brake pads 4 and the caliper device 20 along them. Also, the (radially lower) end 42 of the pad clip directly abuts the brake pad 4, providing a desired damping effect on mechanical vibrations occurring during braking.

Figure 2 shows a brake device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprising a pad clip 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The caliper device 20 and brake pads 4 are constructed similarly to the example of FIG. 1 . However, the pad clips 13 are different in size and shape. As a mere option, the section of the pad clip 13 received in the guide recess 34 and the radially upper clamping portion 15 are constructed similarly to FIG. 1 .

However, unlike the example of FIG. 1 , the part of the pad clip 13 extending along the lower circumference of the guide protrusion 3 does not (as a mere option) contact the caliper device 20 , but may. As shown, it may optionally still contact the outer periphery of the brake pad 4 .

As an advantageous feature, the end 42 of the pad clip 13 now extends along said lower circumference of the guide projection 3 and optionally contacts the outer circumference of the brake pad 4 and then continues radially downward. Specifically, both the brake pad 4 and the caliper device 20 are provided with non-contact portions 44 extending some distance apart. This non-contact portion 44 also does not contact any other member. Thus, the non-contact portion extends freely within the free space or open space within the brake device 1 . This means, for example, that there is room for vibrations, in particular when interacting with and damping brake noise sound waves and not transmitting these vibrations to any member directly adjacent thereto.

Note that the non-contact portion 44 is shown crossing the lower portion of the caliper device 20, but extends a distance in front of it.

Advantageously, the non-contact portion 44 is inclined relative to an adjacent section of the pad clip (eg the section extending along the lower circumference of the guide projection 3). Each bent or twisted portion 46 to provide the angle can function as a rotational joint through which the non-contact portion 44 can tilt and/or vibrate.

By way of example only, non-contact portion 44 is shown as a substantially planar member with an optional curved outer edge 47 . Accordingly, the linear length illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the elongated length L of the non-contact portion 44 . The length (L) may range from several centimeters, for example from 3 cm to 5 cm or more.

3 shows the pad clip 13 being detached.

4-11 show alternative configurations of the non-contacting portion 44 to replace the enclosed non-contacting portion 44 of FIG. 3 . The orientation of the non-contact portion 44 of FIGS. 4-11 matches the orientation of the pad clip 13 of FIG. 3 . This is indicated by the dotted outline of the remainder of the pad clip 13. However, the non-contact portion 44 of FIGS. 4-11 can also be mirrored (e.g., with respect to the vertical axis of the figures) and still be placed on the pad clip 13 with the orientation shown in FIG. 3. 4 to 11 again show views of the side edges of the pad clip 13 .

4 shows a multi-wall configuration of non-contacting portion 44 . The two outer walls 49 extend parallel to the central base member or base wall 48 . Between each outer wall 49 and the base wall 48, an elongated cavity 50 is formed. The elongated cavity 50 may be hollow or may be filled with a sound absorbing material.

5 and 6 show an optional macroscopic surface profile of non-contacting portion 44 . In Fig. 5, a zigzag profile is shown. In Figure 6, a surface profile comprising a regular series of dents or bulges is shown.

In FIG. 7 , a double-wall configuration of the non-contacting portion 44 is shown, which again includes a cavity 50 that may be hollow or filled with sound absorbing material.

8 shows a twisted configuration of the non-contacting portion 44, with a single twist optionally positioned centrally within the non-contacting portion 44 as a simple option.

In Fig. 9, the non-contact portion 44 has an S shape and is thus bent several times. Specifically, the outer edge portions of the non-contact portion are bent in different directions to define an S-shape.

FIG. 10 shows the non-contact portion 44 extending at a different angle than shown in FIG. 3 . This angle may place the non-contact portion 44 closer to the outer circumference of the brake pad 4, which may be advantageous for sound absorption.

11 shows a curved configuration of the non-contact portion 44 . The non-contact portion 44 protrudes outwardly and/or convexly with respect to the opposite circumference of the brake pad 4 .

The extended length L of the non-contact portion 44 is indicated in FIG. 11 . As can be seen, this length L does not necessarily correspond to the vertical length denoted LV in FIG. 11 . Rather, in a generally known manner, this length corresponds to the length when hypothetically unfolding and/or stretching the non-contacting portion 44 to assume a straight or linear shape.

12-18 show the different macroscopic surface profiles included by contact portion 44 . In this case, the main surface of the non-contact portion 44 faces the viewer instead of the side edge of the non-contact portion 44 . The viewing direction is indicated by an arrow V in FIG. 3 with the non-contact portion 44 rotating about a vertical axis to face the viewer compared to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 12 also shows the width W of the non-contact portion 44 extending along the moving axis described with respect to FIG. 1 . Also, the length dimension LD of the non-contact portion 44 extending at right angles to the width dimension W is illustrated.

12 to 18 show various possibilities of arranging the form elements defining the surface profile within the non-contacting part 44 . In Fig. 12, the form elements are arranged along the length dimension LD. In Fig. 13, the form elements are arranged along the width dimension W. In Fig. 14, the form elements are arranged at an angle to both the length dimension (LD) and the width dimension (W). In Fig. 15, the shape elements are of different lengths. Also, a portion thereof extends along the width dimension W and another portion extends along the length dimension LD.

In Fig. 16, the shape elements are crossed diagonally. 17 and 18, the shape elements are arranged in a regular grid-like pattern.

12-18, a form element may be any of a dent, rib (except for FIG. 18), cutout, protrusion, or through hole. Apart from this, the surface profile can be configured according to any of the examples discussed herein, and the profile elements or shape elements are distributed according to any of FIGS. 12-18 .

Furthermore, the configuration of the non-contacting portion 44 of FIGS. 4 to 11 can be combined with any surface profile according to FIGS. 12 to 18 .

1 brake unit
3 guide protrusions
4 hook parts
6 protrusion
8 clamping sections
10 engagement section
11 recess
12 projections
13 Pad Clip/Pad Spring
15 clamping part
20 caliper unit
22 bridge section
24 outer edge part
28 upper edge part
30 lower edge part
34 guide recess
40 side edge
42 end
44 non-contact parts
46 twisted sections
47 curved outer edge
48 base wall
49 outer wall
50 cavity
M (mirror symmetry) axis
LA longitudinal axis
C cutting axis
V observation direction
LV vertical length
L stretch length
LD longitudinal dimension
W width dimension

Claims (13)

As a brake device for a vehicle disc brake,
- Brake caliper device;
- at least one brake pad; and
- contains at least one pad spring or pad clip,
The pad spring or pad clip has at least one portion for contacting at least one of the brake pad and brake caliper device and at least one non-contact portion for contacting neither of the brake pad or brake caliper device,
The brake device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact portion has an elongated length (L) of at least 3 cm. According to claim 1,
The brake device, wherein the non-contact portion forms an end portion of the pad spring or pad clip (13). According to claim 1,
The brake device (1), wherein the pad spring or pad clip is a single member and is a metal bending part. According to claim 1,
The brake device, wherein the non-contact portion is inclined with respect to an adjacent portion of the pad spring. According to claim 1,
wherein the non-contact portion extends at an angle with respect to an adjacent edge (24) of the brake pad (4) or an adjacent surface of the caliper device. According to claim 1,
The brake device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact portion extends along an outer edge of the brake pad or toward a middle portion of the brake pad. According to claim 1,
The brake device (1), wherein at least a part of the non-contact portion lies on the opposite side of the lower edge portion of the brake pad. According to claim 1,
The brake device (1), wherein the non-contact portion comprises multiple wall sections. According to claim 8,
wherein the multi-wall section comprises at least one cavity between two walls of the multi-wall section, the cavity being filled with a material different from that of the walls of the multi-wall section. According to claim 1,
The brake device, wherein the non-contact portion is non-planar. According to claim 1,
The non-contact part,
- twisted sections;
- curved sections; and
- Sections bent several times
A brake device comprising at least one of According to claim 1,
The non-contact part,
- waveform section;
- zigzag shaped section;
- a section with a macroscopic surface profile;
- a section with a plurality of bulges;
- at least one slot;
- at least one cutout; and
- at least one rib or elongated protrusion;
A brake device comprising at least one of According to claim 1,
The extended length (L) is measured in a plane defined by a side edge of the non-contact portion or extending parallel to a contact surface of the brake pad, the contact surface configured to contact a brake disc of the vehicle disc brake. Brake device.

Images