WO1997035120A1

WO1997035120A1 - Device for securing for transport a partially fitted disc brake calliper equipped with brake pads

Info

Publication number: WO1997035120A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/001323
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristine Lieber; Michael Felix Maria Walden
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
Priority date: 1996-03-18
Filing date: 1997-03-17
Publication date: 1997-09-25
Also published as: DE19610612C1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for securing for transport a partially fitted disc brake calliper (30) which is equipped with brake pads (42). The securing device has a plate-shaped base with a main axis (A), a spacer extending along the main axis (A) from the base, a gripping attachment extending from the base in the opposite direction to the spacer, and two locking elements (18, 22) which extend outwardly on opposite sides of the spacer, at right angles to the main axis (A), for engaging with counter elements formed on the brake pads (42). The spacer of the securing device (10) is pushed between the brake pads (42) until the locking elements (18, 22) engage with the counter elements on the brake pads (42), the base of the securing device acting as a stop. The securing device holds the brake pads (42) securely on the calliper (30) such that they cannot slip or rattle during transport.

Description

Transport lock for a caliper with a brake pad fitted with a brake pad

The invention relates to a transport lock with

Brake linings equipped with a partial lining disc brake, in particular a floating caliper partial lining brake.

Disc brakes have so far mostly been manufactured by the manufacturer as a complete assembly, i.e. delivered completely assembled to a vehicle manufacturer, who then installed the brake in a vehicle. In the course of efforts to save costs, more and more vehicle manufacturers are now switching over to integrating certain parts of a disc brake and in particular the brake carrier into the axle construction

Integrate vehicle, for example, the brake carrier as part of the steering knuckle. For the brake manufacturer, this means that he now has to supply the vehicle manufacturer with a subassembly, in the case of a brake carrier integrated in the steering knuckle, for example, a floating caliper of a floating caliper partial brake disc brake, which is equipped with brake pads and with the vehicle manufacturer the steering knuckle-side brake carrier is connected. When transporting such a subassembly, the brake linings tend to detach themselves from the floating caliper or at least change their position relative to one another in the manufacturer's plant.

In this context, it is known to clamp an elastic hose section between the usually two brake pads as a transport lock in order to prevent them from falling out. A similar solution is known from the German utility model 88 01 321. However, these solutions cannot satisfy for various reasons.

The invention is based on the object of securing a caliper of a part of the vehicle equipped with brake linings. To provide a brake disc brake that prevents the brake pads from coming off the saddle during transport, which also ensures a precisely defined distance between the brake pads, and which does not hinder the assembly process during the final assembly of the disc brake.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a transport lock which has a plate-shaped base forming a stop with a main axis, a spacer body extending along the main axis from the base, a handle attachment extending from the base opposite to the spacer body, and two on opposite sides of the spacer body at right angles to the main axis, preferably along a common axis extending latching elements for engagement with counter-elements formed on the brake pads. The transport lock according to the invention is pushed with its spacer into the space between the brake pads, which is later taken up by the brake disc. In the inserted state, the transport lock according to the invention engages by means of its locking elements with corresponding counter elements present on the brake pads, so that vibrations occurring during transportation can no longer cause the brake pads to slip or fall out. The transport lock according to the invention is preferred from above through an opening in the

A floating caliper is inserted, which is usually present anyway, in order to be able to visually check the state of wear of the brake pads better and to improve the ventilation of the brake for faster heat dissipation. The plate-shaped base of the transport lock according to the invention, which also acts as a stop, takes on the function of a slide-in limitation. The handle extension, which extends opposite to the spacer body and is preferably provided with recessed grips, simplifies the handling of the transport lock according to the invention. The spacer body is preferably in the form of a gaiter and extends at right angles to the plate-shaped base, which in one embodiment of the transport lock according to the invention has the shape of a circular disk.

Regardless of the shape of the plate-shaped base, the edge of the latter advantageously forms the stop serving as an insertion limitation. The edge is preferably designed to be resilient in the direction of the main axis in order to exert a certain tensile force in the direction of the main axis on the brake linings after the engagement of the latching elements with the counter elements formed on the brake linings, which pulls them upwards against the inside of the Floating caliper presses, which ensures an even better and, in particular, rattle-free securing of the brake pads during transport. The resilient design of the edge of the base can be obtained, for example, by slightly angling the area of the plate-shaped base adjacent to the edge in the direction of the floating saddle, or else by reducing the material thickness of the area of the base near the edge. Another alternative is to provide the region of the plate-shaped base adjacent to the edge with at least approximately radial incisions starting from the edge.

Irrespective of the shape of the spacer body of the transport lock according to the invention, a first extension thereof transverse to the main axis particularly preferably corresponds to the distance that the opposing friction surfaces of the brake linings must have from one another in the installed state, whereby the installed state means the state when the disc brake is fully assembled is. This means that the aforementioned first extension of the spacer body transverse to the main axis of the thickness of the brake disc used is increased by what is present between the friction surfaces and the brake disc

Brake clearance corresponds. In this way, after the transport lock according to the invention has been removed, the construction unit from the brake caliper and brake pads can be mounted on the brake disc without first having to change the position of the brake pads. Furthermore, the brake system has an immediate effect from the first actuation, since no unnecessarily large distance between the brake pads and the brake disc has to be overcome.

In one embodiment of the transport lock according to the invention, a second extension of the spacer body, which extends transversely to the main axis and transversely to the first extent of the spacer body, is significantly larger than the extent corresponding to the dimension of the brake disc thickness plus the brake clearance. In the case of non-ventilated and therefore relatively thin brake discs, this prevents the transport lock according to the invention from being used incorrectly, for example rotated through 90 °.

In another embodiment of the transport lock according to the invention, the second extension of the spacer, which runs transversely to the main axis and transversely to the first extent of the spacer, is significantly smaller than the extent of the spacer corresponding to the dimension of the brake disc thickness plus brake clearance. Thus, even when using internally ventilated brake disks that are considerably thicker than unventilated brake disks, incorrect insertion of the transport lock according to the invention can be felt. An application of the solution given above in connection with thin brake discs is usually ruled out when using internally ventilated brake discs, since the second extension would then reach a dimension which no longer fits through the opening in the floating caliper described at the beginning.

According to a preferred embodiment, each locking element of the transport lock according to the invention has an essentially inverted V-shaped cross section, each leg of the V being formed by a spring tongue and the base of the V's rests on the plate-shaped base. In addition to an increasing spring action of the latching elements towards the free end of the spring tongue, a good support of the latching elements and thus a mechanically robust construction is also obtained by such a configuration. In this embodiment, the narrow side of each spring tongue adjacent to the spacer body is preferably connected to the spacer body. The stability of the latching elements is thus further increased without the spring capacity reduced thereby in the area of the connection between the spring tongue and the spacer body having a negative effect on the latching function of the latching elements. In this embodiment, each spring tongue particularly preferably has a bead-shaped thickening at its free end. This bead-shaped thickening engages with a corresponding locking groove formed on the brake lining when the transport lock according to the invention is inserted. However, bead-shaped thickenings can also be provided on the brake lining, which cooperate with a resilient locking groove on the transport lock according to the invention.

Regardless of their special design, the locking elements of the transport lock according to the invention are designed with a particular advantage such that they release from the latching action with the counter elements formed on the brake linings when pressure is exerted on the free end of the spacer body. This ensures that the transport lock according to the invention does not have to be removed prior to the final assembly of a disc brake, but instead automatically disengages during the final assembly if the brake disc is pushed between the brake pads from below. The previously described configuration of the locking elements with spring tongues and bead-shaped thickenings has this self-releasing property.

Particularly when the transport lock according to the invention has a self-releasing property as just described, the overall extent of the transport lock along its main axis is preferably selected such that when the lock is released, detent the transport lock protrudes so far from the floating saddle that the installation of a vehicle wheel is prevented, ie that the vehicle wheel hits the protruding transport lock when attempting installation. The installer is thereby forcibly reminded to remove the transport lock completely. If there is a mechanical removal device for the transport lock, then the handle attachment of the transport lock preferably has a transverse bore for cooperation with this machine removal device.

Although the material from which the transport lock according to the invention is made does not play a decisive role in its function, it is particularly preferably designed as a one-piece injection-molded plastic part. Manufacturing costs, weight and functional properties are in a particularly favorable ratio.

According to the invention, a reusable transport lock has therefore been created which is easy to handle, which securely maintains a position of brake pads once set in a floating caliper during transport and which furthermore supports a simple and quick final assembly of a disc brake.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a transport lock according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic figures. It shows:

1 shows a perspective view of a transport lock according to the invention from obliquely above, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the transport lock from FIG. 1 obliquely from below, FIG. 3 shows the top view and two side views of the transport lock rotated by 90 ° relative to one another

Fig.l, 4 shows a partially sectioned representation of a

Floating calipers with brake pads, in which the transport lock from Fig.l has been inserted,

5 shows the section V-V from FIG. 4, FIG. 6 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4, but with the transport lock released, and

7 shows the section VII-VII from FIG. 6.

In Figures 1 to 3 is a generally designated 10 transport lock for one equipped with brake pads

Floating caliper of a partial brake disc brake shown. The transport lock 10 has a plate-shaped base 12, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is of circular disk shape and serves, inter alia, as a stop, as will be explained in more detail later. A parallelepiped-shaped spacer 14 extends from the base 12 along a main axis A (see FIG. 3) with a first extension B transverse to the main axis A. The spacer 14 also has a second extension C, which extends transversely to the extension B and the main axis A. runs and which is significantly larger than the extension B in the example shown.

Two locking elements 16 extend from two opposite sides of the spacer 14 at right angles to the main axis A and parallel to the extension B along a common axis to a little beyond the edge of the base 12 to the outside. Each latching element 16 has an essentially inverted, ie upside-down V-shaped cross-section (see particularly FIG. 3) and is formed by two spring tongues 18 which represent the legs of the V's. At the foot 20 of the V, which bears against the plate-shaped base 12 or is connected to it, the two spring tongues 18 are connected to one another in one piece. At its free end, each spring tongue 18 has, on the outside, a bead-shaped thickening 22 that extends parallel to the extension B. With respect to the main axis A, the two locking elements 16 extend from the base 12 over approximately half the extent of the spacer body 14. Extending from the side of the base 12 opposite the spacer body 14 at right angles to the main axis A is an essentially cuboid grip attachment 24 with a transverse bore 26 parallel to the extension B, the significance of which will be discussed in more detail below. The handle attachment 24 is provided with corrugated recesses, not shown in the figures, in order to facilitate a secure gripping of the transport lock 10.

In the embodiment shown, the transport lock 10 is formed by an integral plastic injection molded part. As an alternative, however, the transport lock 10 can also be constructed from a plurality of individual parts which are connected to one another and also consist of a material other than plastic, for example a light metal alloy.

The use and function of the transport lock 10 are described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. The main components of a floating caliper partial brake disc brake are shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. Shown are a brake disc 28, a floating caliper 30, which is slidably mounted on sliding bolts 32 and 34 parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake disc 28, and a brake carrier 36, which is integrally formed with an only partially reproduced steering knuckle 38 (see FIG. 5 ). A wheel hub 40 is mounted in the steering knuckle 38 (see FIG. 5), to which the brake disk 28 is fastened by means of screws, not shown.

Between the brake disk 28 and the floating caliper 30, a brake pad 42 is arranged in the usual way on both sides of the brake disk 28, which consists of a pad carrier plate 44 and a friction pad 46 fastened thereon. In the area of its bridge spanning the brake disc 28, the floating caliper 30 has an opening 48 which is provided to visually determine the degree of wear of the brake pads 42. len, and which serves for better ventilation of the disc brake.

The brake manufacturer supplies the vehicle manufacturer with the disk brake shown without the brake disk 28 and without a brake carrier, but already equipped with the brake linings 42.

The transport lock 10 serves to temporarily brake pads 42, i.e. until the time of final assembly of the

Secure the disc brake at the vehicle manufacturer to the floating caliper 30 in a precisely defined position. For this purpose, the floating brake caliper 30 and the brake linings 42 are assembled and aligned on a mounting device with supports which correspond to those of the later steering knuckle. Then the transport lock 10 is inserted from above through the opening 48 in the floating caliper 30 into the unit consisting of the floating caliper 30 and the brake linings 42 in such a way that the spacer 14 comes to rest between the mutually facing surfaces of the friction linings 46. The transport lock 10 is inserted until its two locking elements 16 engage in locking engagement with counter-elements which are formed on the brake pads 42 in the form of projections 50 of the pad carrier plates 44. The lugs 50 have an inner contour complementary to the bead-shaped thickenings 22, so that they can serve as locking grooves for the bead-shaped thickenings 22 formed on the spring tongues 18. The circumferential edge of the base 12, which comes into contact with the edge of the opening 48 shortly before the bead-shaped thickenings 22 engage in the projections 50 of the lining carrier plates 44, is used as the insertion limitation for the transport lock 10. The region of the base 12 of the transport lock 10 near the edge is resilient in the direction of the main axis A (not shown), so that the transport lock 10 must overcome the spring preload thus generated on the last part of its insertion path in order to use the lugs 50 on the brake pads 42 to latch. This means that the transport lock 10 in the fully inserted state exerts a certain tensile force along the main axis A on the brake pads 42 via its latching elements 16, so that the latter are pulled upward into contact with the inside of the floating caliper 30, as a result of which the two brake pads 42 are held in the set position without slipping and rattling.

The extension B of the spacer body 14 of the transport lock 10 is matched to the respective disc brake and corresponds to the so-called mounting dimension of the brake linings 42, i.e. the distance that the mutually facing friction surfaces of the friction linings 46 of the two brake linings 42 should have from one another in the installed state. This distance results from the thickness of the brake disc 28 and the brake clearance, i.e. , the

Distance that the friction surfaces of the friction linings 46 should have from the brake disk 28 when the brake is not actuated. It is thus achieved that the vehicle brake has an effect almost immediately upon its first actuation, since the brake pads 42 do not have to be moved into contact with the brake disc 28 by repeated actuation of the brake. The extension C of the spacer 14 is significantly larger than the extension B in the exemplary embodiment shown. In this way it is prevented that the transport lock 10 is incorrect, i. rotated through 90 ° through the opening 48 in the floating saddle 30 is inserted.

Figures 4 and 5 essentially show the delivery state of the disc brake, in which the transport lock 10 is fully inserted and holds the brake pads 42 on the floating caliper 30. At the vehicle manufacturer, the floating caliper 30 with the brake pads 42 and the transport lock 10 is mounted on the steering knuckle 38. For this purpose, the floating caliper 30 is pushed radially onto the brake disc 28 until the fastening position of the floating caliper 30 is reached. In the course of this placing process of the floating saddle on the brake disc, the edge of the brake disc abuts the free end face of the spacer body 14 of the transport lock 10, the locking elements 16 release from their locking with the shoulders 50, and the transport lock 10 is pushed upward through the opening 48 in the floating saddle 30 without further action (see the figures) 5 and 7). The brake linings 42, which are no longer held by the transport lock 10, are now supported, as shown, via their lining carrier plates 44 on the brake carrier 36, and the transport lock 10 can be removed upwards.

In order to prevent a wheel indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 7 from being attached to the vehicle before the transport lock 10 has been removed, the overall extent of the transport lock 10 along the main axis A has a dimension which is the pushing on of a wheel prevented when the transport lock 10 is not removed (see FIG. 7).

The transport lock 10 described can be inserted and removed manually in a simple manner. For the mechanical insertion and removal of the transport lock 10, its handle extension 24 has the transverse bore 26 into which a finger, not shown, for example of a mechanical removal device, can engage.

Claims

claims

l. Transport lock (10) of a caliper of a partial brake disc brake equipped with brake linings, with

a plate-shaped base (12) forming a stop and having a main axis (A),

- a spacer (14) extending along the main axis (A) from the base (12),

- A handle extension (24) extending from the base (12) opposite to the spacer body (14), and with

- Two latching elements (16) extending on opposite sides of the spacer body (14) at right angles to the main axis (A) for engagement with counter elements formed on the brake linings.

2. Transport lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer body (14) is cuboid.

3. Transport lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base (12) has the shape of a circular disc.

4. Transport lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop is formed by the edge of the base (12), the edge being designed to be resilient in the direction of the main axis (A).

5. Transport lock according to one of the preceding Ansprü¬ che, characterized in that a first extension (B) of the spacer (14) transverse to the main axis (A) corresponds to the distance that the opposing friction surfaces of the brake pads must have one another in the installed state .

6. Transport lock according to claim 5, characterized in that a second, transverse to the main axis (A) and transverse to the first extent (B) extending (C) of the spacer (14) significantly larger than the first extent (B ) is.

7. Transport lock according to claim 5, characterized in that a second, transverse to the main axis (A) and transverse to the first extension (B) extending (C) of the spacer (14) significantly smaller than the first extent (B) ) is.

8. Transport lock according to one of the preceding Ansprü¬ che, characterized in that each locking element (16) has a substantially inverted V-shaped cross-section, each leg of the V's being formed by a spring tongue (18) and the foot (20th ) of the V lies against the plate-shaped base (12).

9. Transport lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacer body (14) be¬ adjacent narrow side of each spring arm (18) with the spacer body (14) is connected.

10. Transport lock according to claim 8 or 9, characterized ge indicates that each spring tongue (18) has a bead-shaped thickening (22) at its free end.

11. Transport lock according to one of the preceding Ansprü¬ che, characterized in that the locking elements (16) extend along a common axis perpendicular to the main axis (A) from the spacer body (14) to the outside.

12. Transport lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching elements (16) are designed in such a way that when the free end of the spacer body (14) is pressed they release from the latching action with the counter-elements formed on the brake pads.

13. Transport lock according to claim 12, characterized in that its total extent along the main axis (A) is selected such that the locking device (10) protrudes from the saddle so far that the assembly of a vehicle wheel is prevented.

14. Transport lock according to one of the preceding Ansprü¬ che, characterized in that the handle extension (24) has a transverse bore (26) for cooperation with a machine Ent¬ removal device.

15. Transport lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part.