WO2008041250A1

WO2008041250A1 - Brake caliper and support therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2008041250A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Gotti; Giovanni Fattori
Original assignee: Freni Brembo S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-10-05
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: WO2008041250A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (1) for a brake caliper (10) comprising an axially internal portion (2) and an axially external portion (3) . These portions are connected to each other by means of two bridge elements (23,32) , which embrace the brake disk (4) upon operation. Means are further provided for rigid and firm connection (11) between the support and the caliper both on the axially internal portion and axially external portion. The invention further relates to the brake caliper suitable for being connected to this support and the braking device comprising the support -caliper assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Brake caliper and support therefor"

[0001] The present invention relates to a disk brake caliper, particularly a disk brake caliper of the fixed (not floating) type intended for use on a vehicle.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a support for a brake caliper of the fixed type. [0003] The present invention finally relates to the braking device consisting of the assembly of brake caliper and support thereof.

[0004] In the automotive industry, the requirement of ensuring an overall high acoustic comfort is becoming increasingly felt. [0005] With reference to brakes, and particularly disk brakes, this comfort requirement results in the attempt of eliminating or minimizing the vibrations that may be generated in the braking members (disks, pads, calipers, etc.) while braking. [0006] While braking, in fact, the disk rubbing against the pads introduces a dynamic load characterized by a frequency connected to the disk rotational speed. When this load frequency coincides with any of the frequencies of the braking members, undesired resonance is created, which generates noise and vibrations . [0007] A number of solutions have been proposed in order to eliminate or reduce this event, and for each of the braking members. [0008] Particularly, as regards brake calipers, it has been proposed of adding cantilevered inert masses at the tangential ends of the caliper body. These cantilevered inert masses have the purpose of modifying the caliper body frequencies, such as to move them away from the frequencies of the dynamic load developing while braking.

[0009] This solution, though appreciated, is not without drawbacks. The provision of these inert masses has, in fact, the further effect of increasing the overall mass of the caliper, without increasing the performance of the same in any way.

[0010] The object of the present invention is thus to provide a brake caliper, a support for this brake caliper, and a support-caliper assembly, which are capable of solving, at least partially, the problems relating to the prior art.

[0011] A further task of several embodiments of the present invention is particularly to provide a brake caliper, a support for this brake caliper, and a support-caliper assembly, which are capable of eliminating or strongly reducing the vibrations that may be generated while braking without the addition of any inert mass.

[0012] This object and this task are achieved by means of a support, a caliper and an assembly according to claim 1, 16 and 19, respectively.

[0013] In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, an exemplary non-limiting embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support according to the invention;

[0015] Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the support from Fig. 1; [0016] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a support- caliper assembly according to the invention;

[0017] Fig. 4 is a further perspective view of the assembly from Fig. 3;

[0018] Fig. 5 shows a side elevational view of the support from Fig. 1;

[0019] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the support from

Fig. 1;

[0020] Fig. 7 shows a view of the section obtained along the line VII-VII from Fig. 5; [0021] Fig. 8 shows a view of the section obtained along the line VIII-VIII from Fig. 6.

[0022] In the annexed drawings, with numeral 1 has been designated a support according to the invention for a brake caliper that is, in turn, generally designated with 10. The numeral 4 designates a brake disk, known per se, which is schematically illustrated with dotted lines. The assembly consisting of the brake caliper 10 and support 1 according to the invention is designated with 100. [0023] Here and below, the braking members are intended to be "properly mounted" on a vehicle when they are assembled according to the design and are thus ready to be operated for braking the vehicle. [0024] Here and below, with reference to the braking members properly mounted on a vehicle in running order, a straight line a parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake disk 4 defines an "axial" direction. [0025] A position is defined as being "axially internal" when, with reference to the braking members being properly mounted on a vehicle, it is relatively proximate to the center of the vehicle. On the other hand, a position is defined as being "axially external" when it is relatively away from the center of the vehicle . [0026] A straight line t tangential to a circumference centered on the axis of the brake disk 4 defines a "tangential" direction.

[0027] A half-line r originating on the axis of rotation of the brake disk 4 and perpendicular to this axis defines a proper "radial" direction. Speaking in general, however, by "radial" is also meant the direction of a straight line r' parallel to the straight line r defined above.

[0028] A position is defined as being "radially internal" when, with reference to the properly mounted braking members, it is relatively proximate to the axis of rotation of the brake disk 4. On the other hand, a position is defined as being "radially external" when it is relatively away form the axis of rotation of the brake disk 4.

[0029] The support 1 comprises an axialIy internal portion 2 and an axially external portion 3. The axialIy internal portion 2 is such as to be, when the support is properly mounted, fastened to the vehicle, typically it is fastened to the suspension of a vehicle wheel .

[0030] The axially internal 2 and axially external 3 portions are connected to each other by two bridge elements 23 and 32. As may be clearly seen in Fig. 2, when the support is properly mounted, the bridge elements 23 and 32 embrace the brake disk 4. [0031] Here and below, it is meant that the bridge elements 23 and 32 embrace the brake disk 4 when a segment joining them in the midplane of the brake disk 4 draws a chord on the brake disk 4.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, means 11 are further provided for connecting the support 1 and caliper 10 in a rigid and firm manner. [0033] These rigid and firm connecting means 11 are provided both on the axially internal portion 2 and on the axially external portion 3 of the support 1. [0034] Consequently, the brake caliper 10 also comprises an axially internal portion 15 and an axially external portion 16. [0035] The brake caliper 10 further comprises means 11 for rigid and firm connection with the support 1. The connecting means 11 are arranged both on the axially internal portion 15 and on the axially external portion 16 of the brake disk 10. [0036] By rigid and firm connection is meant that, when the assembly 100 according to the invention is properly mounted, the connecting means Il do not allow any relative movement to occur between the support 1 and caliper body 10. [0037] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the movements being prevented by the connecting means 11 are only those of the caliper body 10 and do not involve at all the pistons of the latter, which are free to move within their specific seats. [0038] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the annexed figures, the connecting means 11 comprise screw-nutscrew couplings both on the axially internal portion and on the axially external portion. [0039] Particularly, the connecting means 11 in the embodiment illustrated herein, comprise threaded holes 12 formed on the support 1 and as many screws 13 matching the threaded holes 12. The brake caliper 10 comprises through holes 14 for allowing the stems of the screws 13 to pass therethrough. [0040] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the threaded holes 12 are through holes.

[0041] In accordance with other possible embodiments, at least several of the threaded holes 12 may be blind holes. [0042] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the annexed drawings, the threaded holes 12 have axes oriented in the direction broadly defined as "radial" . [0043] In accordance with other possible embodiments, at least several of the threaded holes 12 may have axes oriented in other directions. The threaded holes 12 can have axes oriented for example in the axial direction, in the tangential direction, or may have axes generally inclined relative to these directions . [0044] In accordance with other possible embodiments, the connecting means 11 can comprise fittings and/or shape couplings between the support 1 and the caliper 10.

[0045] In accordance with other possible embodiments, the connecting means 11 can comprise both screw-nutscrew couplings, and fittings and/or shape couplings .

[0046] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the annexed drawings, the axially internal portion 2 of the support 1 comprises connecting means 41 suitable for fastening the support 1 to a vehicle. [0047] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings, these connecting means comprise through holes 41 suitable for accommodating screws for fastening the support 1 to the vehicle.

[0048] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the annexed drawings, the through holes 41 have axes oriented in the axial direction. [0049] In other embodiments, the holes 41 may be blind rather than through-holes, and may have axes oriented in a different manner, such as in the (either proper or broad) radial direction, in the tangential direction or generally inclined relative to these directions . [0050] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings, the support 1 has a substantially plane development, such as to be a sort of bracket for the brake caliper 10 to be rested thereon and fastened thereto. [0051] The support 1 and brake caliper 10 illustrated herein (see particularly Fig. 3 and 4) are further suitable to be mutually fastened, such that, when they are properly mounted, the support 1 is in a radially internal position relative to the brake caliper 10.

[0052] In other possible embodiments, the support may have more complex developments in order to meet particular requirements. Furthermore, the support 1 and brake caliper 10 can be suitable to be fastened such that, when they are properly mounted, the support 1 is in a radially external position relative to the brake caliper 10.

[0053] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the annexed figures, the support 1 is generally C- shaped, or open loop-shaped. [0054] In other possible embodiments, the support may generally have different shapes, such as O-shaped or closed loop-shaped. [0055] From what has been discussed above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art how the support, caliper and support-brake caliper assembly according to the invention overcome a number of drawbacks associated with the prior art.

[0056] Particularly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art how the support 1 according to the invention allows of, when it is properly mounted, stiffening the structure of the brake caliper 10. This stiffening allows modifying both the frequencies of the vibration of the brake caliper 10 and the deformation modes thereof, such as to prevent resonance from occurring .

[0057] Furthermore, unlike the known cantilevered inert masses, the support 1 entails a stiffening of the brake caliper 10, and thus an improvement in the performance thereof.

[0058] Obviously, to the support 1, brake caliper 10 and support-caliper assembly 100 according to the present invention, those skilled in the art may carry out further modifications and variants aiming at satisfying contingent and specific requirements. These modifications and variants all fall within the scope of protection of the invention such as defined in the following claims .

Claims

1. A support (1) for a brake caliper (10), comprising an axially internal portion (2) and an axially external portion (3) connected to each other by means of two bridge elements (23, 32) that, when the support (1) is properly mounted, embrace the disk (4) , wherein means of rigid and firm connection (11) are provided between the support (1) and the caliper (10) both on the axially internal portion (2) and on the axially external portion (3) .

2. The support (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (11) , when the disk caliper (10) is properly connected to the support (1) , do not allow any relative movement between the support (1) and the brake caliper (10) .

3. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (11) comprise screw- nutscrew couplings.

4. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (11) comprise screw- nutscrew couplings both on the axially internal portion (1) and on the axially external portion (3) .

5. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (11) comprise threaded holes (12) formed on the support (1) and screws (13) matching the threaded holes (12) .

6. The support (1) according to claim 5, wherein the threaded holes (12) are through holes.

7. The support (1) according to claim 5, wherein the threaded holes (12) are blind holes.

8. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the threaded holes (12) have axes oriented in the radial direction.

9. The support (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (11) comprise fittings and/or shape couplings.

10. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the axially internal portion (2) comprises connecting means (41) that are suitable to fasten the support (1) to a vehicle.

11. The support (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting means comprise through holes

(41) suitable to accommodate screws for the support (1) to be fastened to the vehicle.

12. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the through holes (41) have axes oriented in the axial direction.

13. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, having a substantially plane development, such as to be, when properly mounted, a bracket for the brake caliper (10) to be rested thereon and fastened thereto.

14. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, generally being C-shaped or open loop-shaped.

15. The support (1) according to any preceding claim, generally being 0-shaped or closed loop-shaped.

16. A brake caliper (10) suitable for being connected to a support (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising an axially internal portion (15) and an axially external portion (16) and comprising means (11, 14) for connecting the caliper (10) and the support (1) in a rigid manner with each other, said connecting means (11) being arranged both on the axially internal portion (15) and on the axially external portion (16) .

17. The brake caliper (10) according to claim 16, wherein said connecting means comprise through holes

(14) arranged on said caliper (10) and suitable to accommodate screw stems (13) .

18. The brake caliper (10) according to claim 16, wherein said connecting means comprise fittings and/or shape couplings.

19. A braking device comprising an assembly (100) comprising a support (1) according to any claim 1 to 15 and a brake caliper (10) according to any claim 16 to 18.

20. The braking device according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (1) and brake caliper (10) are suitable to be mutually fastened such that, when they are properly mounted, the support (1) is in a radially internal position relative to the brake caliper (10) .