WO2016016844A1

WO2016016844A1 - Pad assembly of disc brake and thrust device

Info

Publication number: WO2016016844A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/055779
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristian Crippa; Enrico Ongaretti
Original assignee: Freni Brembo S.P.A.
Priority date: 2014-08-01
Filing date: 2015-07-30
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: DE112015003544T5

Abstract

A pad assembly (1) of disc brake (2) and at least one thrust device of disc brake (3) adapted to urge said pad (2) in abutment against a braking surface (4) of a disc (5) of disc brake (6) to exert a braking action on a vehicle; said pad (2) comprising: - friction material (7) adapted to abut against said braking surface (4) and exert said braking action; - a support plate (8) adapted to support said friction material (7) and receive the thrust from said thrust device (3); said support plate (8) comprising a support surface (9) adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface (10) adapted to receive and support said thrust device (3); - at least one coupling device (11); wherein - said coupling device (11) with at least one first portion (12) thereof is firmly connected to said support surface (9) and with at least one second coupling portion (13) thereof is connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device (3), so as to connect said pad (2) to said thrust device (3) and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake (5); characterised in that - said at least one second coupling portion (13) has at least one coupling portion stretch (14) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5); - and wherein said at least one thrust device (3) comprises at least one coupling seat (15) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5); - and wherein said at least one coupling portion stretch (14) engages in a removable manner with said at least one coupling seat (15) so as to allow a sliding of said pad (2) along said tangential direction (T-T) while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Pad assembly of disc brake and thrust device"

[0001] . Field of the invention

[0002] . The present invention relates to a pad assembly of disc brake and thrust device adapted to abut said pad against braking surfaces of a disc of disc brake.

[0003] . More specifically, the present invention also relates to a disc brake pad, a thrust device, a disc brake calliper, a vehicle and a method for reducing the residual torque generated by a pad.

[0004] . As known, at the end of the braking action of a vehicle, the braking system ceases generating a thrust by means of the thrust device, usually a piston accommodated in a cylinder provided in a calliper body secured to a suspension and straddling a brake disc secured to a rotating wheel hub. When the thrust ceases, the pad is not necessarily spaced apart from the braking surface of the disc and, due also to the rotation of the disc and to construction tolerances as well as of deformations generated by the use of the brake, the pad continues touching the braking surface thus generating a residual braking torque which is noisy and leads to unwanted fuel consumption, reduction of performance and other drawbacks .

[0005] . State of the art

[0006] . To overcome this problem, it is known to introduce a slight retraction or roll-back in the piston, for example due to the elastic recovery of certain gaskets provided between piston and cylinder, and it is also known to arrange a spring which constantly urges the pads away from the brake disc so as to avoid accidental contact and the generation of a residual braking torque.

[0007] . Nevertheless, in the case in which a brake is used equipped with a braking amplification device, as described for example in EP 2 339 198, of the same applicant, or in EP 1 669 628, DE 102006047210, DE 8900846, EP 0 654 615, DE 1 253 968, there is a need to provide a sliding which is lateral or transversal to the axis of the thrust, of the pad with respect to the piston during the wear of the friction material because in certain documents mentioned above of the known art, by resting tangentially or circumferentially on shoulders or abutments of the calliper body arranged inclined with respect to the direction of thrust or axial direction, the pad gradually slides laterally to the piston.

[0008] . This lateral sliding of the pad involves the need to both follow the pad with the thrust of the piston, in other words the piston must remain pressed against the pad to exert the desired thrust and braking action, and to maintain the spacing of the pad apart from the braking surfaces at the end of the braking action and therefore of the thrust of the piston on the pad.

[0009] . Solutions are known which have solved the problem of orienting the thrust of the piston as the pad slides laterally, such as for example the solutions disclosed in documents US 3,186,518, GB 1050623, GB 1154233, but although the pad is urged away from the disc, they do not suggest how to prevent it from sticking on the inclined shoulders, thus remaining in contact with the friction surface . [0010] . To understand the problem adequately, one should consider that the desired spacing of the pad apart from the braking surface must be minimum, because the need must be met of simultaneously keeping the pad as close as possible to the disc and avoiding that the user of the vehicle - at times a driver who uses the vehicle in competitions - feels the brake as being too soft or spongy, because before exerting the required thrust with the piston on the pad and abutting it on the braking surface, there is a need to recover the backlash or roll-back created to avoid the residual torque.

[0011] . Therefore, the need is strongly felt to space the pad apart from the brake disc at the end of the braking action, but the contrasting need is also strongly felt to avoid an excessive spacing apart thereof, thus causing the braking action of the brake not to be very reactive to the command of the user.

[0012] . In an attempt to resolve these contrasting needs, increasingly accurate roll-back systems have been proposed and also systems for attaching the pad to the piston so that the former can follow the retraction of the piston at the end of the braking action .

[0013] . Solutions of this type are known in brakes not equipped with braking action amplification devices, such as for example in JP 2012092968, JP H 08170666, KR 20100055964, US 5,701,978, JP S 62137434, JP H 0425627, US 4,809,825, JP H 08303499.

[0014] . In certain sporadic attempts, it is also known to attach the pad to the piston also in brakes equipped with braking amplification devices, such as for example in GB 1418018 and IT 1135731.

[0015] . Nevertheless, these rare known solutions do not resolve in any manner the numerous problems generated by the need for the pad to slide with respect to the piston to adequately follow the inclined orientation of the abutments as the friction material wears, thus avoiding to introduce useless and damaging stresses or sticking between pad and calliper body and between pad and thrust device .

[0016] . Therefore, the need is strongly felt to find a pad-thrust device assembly which allows both perfectly meeting the need of relative sliding between pad and thrust device caused by the braking amplification device and spacing the pad apart from the braking surface to avoid the formation of residual torques at the end of the braking action.

[0017] . Solution

[0018] . It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose an assembly which allows the aforesaid needs to be met and also the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art to be overcome .

[0019] . These and other objects are achieved by an assembly according to claim 1, a pad according to claim 8, a thrust device according to claim 9, a calliper according to claim 10, and by a method according to claim 11.

[0020] . Certain advantageous embodiments are the object of the dependent claims.

[0021] . Drawings [0022] . Further features and advantages of the assembly according to the invention will appear from the description below of its preferred, non-limiting example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] . - figure 1 depicts a partly cross-sectioned perspective view of a pad-thrust device assembly received in a brake calliper located straddling a brake disc;

[0024] . - figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail in figure 1, in which the assembly and a braking amplification device are shown inside the calliper body which is depicted transparent;

[0025] . - figure 3 depicts an outer radial view - or a view in radial direction facing the axis of rotation of the disc - of the assembly and the braking amplification device in figure 2;

[0026] . - figure 4 shows a perspective view of the body of a serai- calliper equipped with a braking action amplification device which delimits the pocket or housing adapted to receive a braking pad facing thrust devices, in this case pistons, accommodated in cylinders provided in the calliper body;

[0027] . - figure 5 depicts a perspective view of a detail of a pair of pads suspended to a calliper body and urged constantly away from a disc by a pad spacing apart spring, in this case a flat spring positioned straddling the disc, and two tangential-action springs which restrain each pad to the calliper body by means of the pad suspension pin so as to recover the tangential sliding of the pad with respect to the thrust device during the roll-back;

[0028] . - figure 6 depicts a radial view of the pad-piston- amplification device assembly, the flat spring and the tangential- action springs in figure 5, received in a calliper body, which is depicted transparent;

[0029] . - figure 7 depicts an axonometric view of a pad assembly and thrust devices, according to a first embodiment of the invention ;

[0030] . - figure 8 shows an axial view of the assembly in figure 7, in a first position, or central position, of the pad;

[0031] - figure 9 depicts a tangential view of the assembly in figure 7;

[0032] . - figure 10 depicts an axonometric view of the pad of the assembly in figure 7;

[0033] . - figure 11 depicts an axonometric view of a pad assembly and thrust devices, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0034] . - figure 12 shows an axial view of the assembly in figure 11, in a first position, or central position, of the pad;

[0035] . - figure 13 depicts a tangential view of the assembly in figure 11;

[0036] . - figure 14 depicts an axonometric view of the pad of the assembly in figure 11;

[0037] . - figures 15 and 16 show the axial view of a pad-thrust device assembly in two operating positions, a position with pad moved laterally but always firmly attached to the thrust device, for example with worn friction material, and a position with pad centered with respect to the thrust device, for example with non- worn friction material.

[0038] . Description of some preferred embodiment examples

[0039] . With reference to the aforesaid drawings and in accordance with a general embodiment, an assembly 1 comprises a pad of disc brake 2 and at least one thrust device of disc brake 3 adapted to urge said pad 2 in abutment against a braking surface 4 of a disc 5 of disc brake 6 to exert a braking action on a vehicle.

[0040] . Said pad 2 comprises friction material 7 adapted to abut against said braking surface 4 and exert said braking action.

[0041] . Said pad 2 further comprises a support plate 8 adapted to support said friction material 7 and receive the thrust from said thrust device 3.

[0042] . Said support plate 8 comprises a support surface 9 adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface 10 adapted to receive and support said thrust device 3.

[0043] . Said pad 2 further comprises at least one coupling device 11.

[0044] . In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling device 11 comprises at least one first portion 12 firmly connected to said support surface 9 and at least one second coupling portion 13 connected, in a removable manner, to said at least one thrust device 3, so as to connect said pad 2 to said thrust device 3 and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake 5.

[0045] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one second coupling portion 13 has at least one coupling portion stretch 14 which extends in direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential T- T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5.

[0046] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one thrust device 3 comprises at least one coupling seat 15 which extends in direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential T-T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5.

[0047] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling portion stretch 14 engages in a removable manner with said at least one coupling seat 15 so as to allow a sliding of said pad 2 along said tangential direction T-T while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device 3.

[0048] . In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling portion 13 of said at least one coupling device 11 is snapped into said coupling seat 15 of said at least one thrust device of disc brake 3.

[0049] . In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling seat 11 comprises an annular groove external to said at least one thrust device of disc brake 3.

[0050] . In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly 1 comprises at least two coupling portions 13 placed opposite to each other and attached to opposite sides of at least one thrust device 3, so as to create a bilateral restraint between said pad and said thrust device.

[0051] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least two coupling portions 13 are attached to at least one coupling seat 11 in at least two points aligned on a same direction R-R, for example a direction parallel to the radial direction of an associable disc of disc brake, so as to avoid movements orthogonal to the sliding direction T-T of pad 2.

[0052] . In accordance with an embodiment, between said support plate 8 and thrust device 3 there is interposed a mat or plate 17, for example a plate made of damping material.

[0053] . In accordance with an embodiment, said mat 17 is a shim adapted to avoid the rotation of the pad with respect to the thrust device of disc brake, for example at least one piston, which abuts thereon to exert the thrust action.

[0054] . In accordance with an embodiment, between said support plate 8 and thrust device 3 there is interposed a mat or plate 17, for example a plate made of anti-friction or low-friction material, adapted to facilitate the sliding of pad 2 with respect to said at least one thrust device during the wear of the friction material 7.

[0055] . In accordance with an embodiment, said plate 17 comprises slots and seats which leave free access to the thrust surface 10 of the plate, thus allowing the at least one coupling device 11 to be attached to said support plate 8.

[0056] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling device 11 comprises a spring 18.

[0057] . In accordance with an embodiment, said spring 18 has an elasticity in direction transverse to the thrust surface 10 which allows the mounting, for example snap-wise, of the coupling portion stretch 14 thereof to said coupling seat 15. [0058] . In accordance with an embodiment, said spring 18 with its elasticity compensates for dimensional mounting and/or production tolerances thus avoiding the deterioration of the sliding performance of pad 2 with respect to the thrust device 3.

[0059] . In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly 1 comprises a spring 18 for each thrust device 3.

[0060] . In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly 1 comprises a single spring 18 for each pair of thrust devices 3, for example a pair of thrust devices acting on a same pad.

[0061] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling device 11 comprises a flat spring 19.

[0062] . In accordance with an embodiment, said flat spring 19 is obtained by shearing, so that it is easy and fast to make.

[0063] . In accordance with an embodiment, said flat spring 19 is obtained by shearing and bending so as to comprise portions on two different planes, for example two planes parallel to said thrust surface, and in particular at least one raised portion, that is deviated from the thrust surface which facilitates the engagement with the seat of the thrust device 3.

[0064] . In accordance with an embodiment, said flat spring 19 has an annular shaped body 20 from which at least one central fixing extension 21 protrudes, adapted to be anchored to said plate 8, for example by a rivet 24.

[0065] . In accordance with an embodiment, said flat spring 19 comprises said coupling portion 13 which is arranged raised with respect to said thrust surface 10 so as to facilitate coupling to said coupling seat 15.

[0066] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling device 11 comprises a wire spring 22 which, due for example to the transversal cross-section thereof or for example to the circular shape thereof, is adapted to carry out localised contacts on lines or only on points of contact so as to reduce sticking between pad 2 and thrust device 3 during relative sliding movements caused for example by the wear of the friction material 7.

[0067] . In accordance with an embodiment, said wire spring 22 is obtained by bending, so that it is easy and fast to make.

[0068] . In accordance with an embodiment, said wire spring 22 is obtained by bending from a single wire in a single body so as to include raised portions which facilitate the engagement with the seat of the thrust device 3.

[0069] . In accordance with an embodiment, said wire spring 22 has at least one outer fixing extension 21 adapted to be wound and anchored to said plate 8, for example by a rivet 24.

[0070] . In accordance with an embodiment, said wire spring 22 comprises said coupling portion 13 which is arranged raised with respect to said thrust surface 10 so as to facilitate coupling to said coupling seat 15.

[0071] . The present invention further comprises, again in accordance with a possible general embodiment, a pad of disc brake 2 adapted to cooperate with at least one thrust device of disc brake 3 adapted to urge said pad 2 in abutment against a braking surface 4 of a disc 5 of disc brake 6 to exert a braking action on a vehicle. Said pad 2 comprises:

[0072] . - friction material 7 adapted to abut against said braking surface 4 and exert said braking action;

[0073] . - a support plate 8 adapted to support said friction material 7 and receive the thrust from said thrust device 3; said support plate 8 comprises a support surface 9 adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface 10 adapted to receive and support said thrust device 3;

[0074] . - at least one coupling device 11.

[0075] . Said coupling device 11 comprises at least one first portion 12 thereof firmly connected to said support surface 9 and comprises at least one second coupling portion 13 connectable in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device 3, so as to connect said pad 2 to said thrust device 3 and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake 5.

[0076] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one second coupling portion 13 has at least one coupling portion stretch 14 which extends in direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential T- T or circumferential development direction of a disc of disc brake 5.

[0077] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling portion stretch 14 is adapted to engage in a removable manner to at least one coupling seat 15 of said at least one thrust device 3 in which said at least one coupling seat 15 extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential T-T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5.

[0078] . In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling portion stretch 14 is adapted to allow a sliding of said pad 2 along said tangential direction T-T while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device 3.

[0079] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a thrust device of disc brake 3 is adapted to urge a pad of disc brake 2 in abutment against a braking surface 4 of a disc 5 of disc brake 6 to exert a braking action on a vehicle. Said pad 2 with which it cooperates comprises friction material 7 adapted to abut against said braking surface 4 and exert said braking action; a support plate 8 adapted to support said friction material 7 and receive the thrust from said thrust device 3; said support plate 8 comprises a support surface 9 adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface 10 adapted to receive and support said thrust device 3; said pad further comprises at least one coupling device 11 in which said coupling device 11 comprises at least one first portion 12 thereof firmly connected to said support surface 9 and comprises at least one second coupling portion 13 thereof connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device 3, so as to connect said pad 2 to said thrust device 3 and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake 5.

[0080] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one thrust device 3 comprises at least one coupling seat 15 which extends in direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential T-T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5.

[0081] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one second coupling portion 13 has at least one coupling portion stretch 14 which extends in direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential T- T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5.

[0082] . In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one coupling seat 15 is adapted to receive said at least one coupling portion stretch 14 in a removable manner and so as to allow a sliding of said pad 2 along said tangential direction T-T while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device 3.

[0083] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a calliper of disc brake 16 comprises a pad assembly 1 of disc brake 2 and at least one thrust device of disc brake 3 adapted to urge said pad 2 in abutment against a braking surface 4 of a disc 5 of disc brake 6 to exert a braking action on a vehicle, as described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0084] . A possible operating method is described below for an assembly according to the invention.

[0085] . A method for spacing a pad of disc brake 2 apart from a disc of disc brake 5, comprises the steps of:

[0086] . - providing a pad 2 comprising friction material 7 adapted to abut against a braking surface 4 and exert said braking action;

[0087] . - said pad comprises a support plate 8 which supports said friction material 7 and receives the thrust from the thrust device 3;

[0088] . - said support plate 8 comprises a support surface 9, which faces the friction material and supports it, and a thrust surface 10 which receives and supports said thrust device 3;

[0089] . — said pad comprising at least one coupling device 11, in which said coupling device 11 comprises at least one first portion 12 firmly connected to said support surface 9 and at least one second coupling portion 13 connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device 3, thus connecting said pad 2 to said thrust device 3 and following its movements away from the disc of disc brake 5;

[0090] . - said at least one second coupling portion 13 comprises at least one coupling portion stretch 14 which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and is adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential T-T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5;

[0091] . - the method further comprises the step of providing at least one thrust device of disc brake 3 in which said at least one thrust device 3 comprises at least one coupling seat 15 which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential T-T or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake 5;

[0092] . - the method further comprises the step of engaging said at least one coupling portion stretch 14 in a removable manner with said at least one coupling seat 15 so as to allow a sliding of said pad 2 along said tangential direction T-T while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device 3.

[ 0093] . Due to the above-described features provided separately from or together with each other in particular embodiments, it is possible to obtain an assembly which simultaneously meets the desired contrasting advantages, and in particular:

[ 0094 ] . - it allows resolving the strongly felt need to find a pad thrust device assembly which allows both perfectly meeting the need for relative sliding between pad and thrust device caused by the braking amplification device, and spacing the pad apart from the braking surface to avoid the formation of residual torques at the end of the braking action;

[ 0095] . - avoiding generating a residual braking torque which is noisy and leads to unwanted fuel consumption, reduction of performance and other drawbacks;

[ 0096] . in the case in which a brake is used equipped with a braking amplification device, these solutions allow a lateral sliding, or a sliding transversal to the axis of the thrust, of the pad with respect to the piston during the wear of the friction material because, by resting tangentially or circumferentially on shoulders or abutments of the calliper body arranged inclined with respect to the direction of thrust, or axial direction, the pad gradually slides laterally to the piston;

[ 0097 ] . - although the pad is urged away from the disc, it is prevented from sticking on the inclined shoulders, thus remaining in contact with the friction surface; [0098] . - simultaneously, the need is met of keeping the pad as close as possible to the disc and preventing the user of the vehicle from feeling the brake as being too soft or spongy, thus avoiding, before exerting the required thrust with the piston on the pad and abutting it on the braking surface, the need to recover the backlash created to avoid the residual torque;

[0099] . — this allows both the pad to be spaced apart from the brake disc at the end of the braking action and also the contrasting need to avoid an excessive spacing apart thereof, thus causing the braking action of the brake not to be very reactive to the command of the user;

[00100] . - this allows the pad to slide with respect to the piston to adequately follow the inclined orientation of the abutments as the friction material wears, thus avoiding to introduce useless and damaging stresses or sticking between pad and calliper body and between pad and thrust device.

[00101] . A person skilled in the art, with the object of meeting contingent and specific needs, can make numerous changes and variants to the assembly according to the invention, moreover, all contained within the scope of protection of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

[00102] . In accordance with an embodiment, said calliper comprises a braking amplification device, for example lateral rests with inclined planes 26 for resting the support plate 8. In accordance with an embodiment, said rests or lateral abutments 26 are inserts which can be inserted in the calliper body at the sides of the seats for receiving the pads, and have inclination of the pad resting surfaces which can be selected according to the desired amplification of the braking action.

[00103] . In accordance with an embodiment, the counter surface of the plates adapted to cooperate with said rests or lateral abutments 26 with inclined planes is levelled with surfaces which are also inclined by an angle such as to bring them to being parallel to said inclined planes.

[00104] . In accordance with an embodiment, to facilitate the spacing of the pad apart from the brake disc, in particular in the case in which braking amplification devices are provided, the assembly further comprises a tangential spring 25, arranged between said support plate 8 and the calliper body of the calliper of disc brake 16, for example a pin for supporting the pad, which pin is received in a slot of plate 8 and in seats provided in the calliper body. This tangential spring 25 urges said pad along a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface 10 and therefore when operating, parallel to the tangential direction or circumferential direction T-T, so as to allow the pad to retract by sliding for example on the abutments or shoulders which are inclined with respect to the thrust direction A-A.

[00105] . In accordance with an embodiment, said tangential spring urges the pad in a direction opposite to the tangential or circumferential sliding of the pad with respect to the thrust device as the friction material wears.

[00106] . In accordance with an embodiment, said callipers comprise a spring for spacing the pad apart from the disc 27 which at least exerts a stress on the pad to space the friction material thereof apart from the braking surface of the disc. In accordance with an embodiment, said disc spacing apart spring 27 also has the capacity to exert a stress of constant spacing apart from a pin for suspending the pad to the calliper body, so as to avoid vibrations and knocks of the pad during the operation thereof.

REFERENCES

1 assembly

2 pad of disc brake

3 thrust device of disc brake

4 braking surface

5 disc of disc brake

6 disc brake

7 friction material

8 support plate

9 support surface

10 thrust surface

11 coupling device

12 first attachment portion

13 coupling portion

14 coupling portion stretch

15 coupling seat

16 calliper of disc brake

17 damping plate made of anti-friction or low-friction material

18 spring

19 flat spring

20 annular shaped body

21 central fixing extension

22 wire spring

23 outer fixing extension

24 rivet

25 tangential action spring 26 lateral abutment on inclined plane for amplification

braking action

27 spring for spacing pads apart from disc

T—T pad tangential or sliding direction

R—R direction orthogonal and/or radial to T-T

A—A axial direction or direction orthogonal to the thrust direction

Claims

1. Pad assembly (1) of disc brake (2) and at least one thrust device of disc brake (3) adapted to urge said pad (2) in abutment against a braking surface (4) of a disc (5) of disc brake (6) to exert a braking action on a vehicle;

said pad (2) comprising:

- friction material (7) adapted to abut against said braking surface (4) and exert said braking action;

- a support plate (8) adapted to support said friction material (7) and receive the thrust from said thrust device (3) ; said support plate (8) comprising a support surface (9), adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface (10) adapted to receive and support said thrust device (3);

- at least one coupling device (11) ;

wherein

- said coupling device (11) comprises at least a first portion (12) firmly connected to said support surface (9) and comprises at least a second coupling portion (13) connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device (3) , so as to connect said pad (2) to said thrust device (3) and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake (5) ;

characterised in that

- said at least one second coupling portion (13) has at least a coupling portion stretch (14) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

and wherein - said at least one thrust device (3) comprises at least one coupling seat (15) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

- and wherein said at least one coupling portion stretch (14) engages in a removable manner with said at least one coupling seat (15) so as to allow a sliding of said pad (2) along said tangential direction (T-T) while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device (3) .

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said coupling portion (13) of said at least one coupling device (11) is snapped into said coupling seat (15) of said at least one thrust device of the disc brake (3) ; and/or wherein

said coupling seat (11) comprises an annular groove external to said at least one thrust device of the disc brake (3) .

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said assembly comprises at least two coupling portions (13) placed opposite to each other and attached to opposite sides of at least one thrust device (3); and/or wherein

said at least two coupling portions (13) are attached to at least one coupling seat (11) in at least two points aligned on a same direction (R-R) , so as to prevent movements perpendicular to the sliding direction (T-T) of the pad (2) .

4. Assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein between said support plate (8) and thrust device (3) there is interposed a damping plate material of anti-friction or low-friction material (17) adapted to facilitate the sliding of the pad (2) with respect to said thrust device during the wear of the friction material (7) ; and/or wherein

said plate (17) comprises slots and seats that leave free access to the thrust surface (10) for attaching the at least one coupling device (11) to said support plate (8) .

5. Assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one coupling device (11) comprises a spring (18) ; and/or wherein

said spring (18) has an elasticity in the transverse direction to the thrust surface (10) which allows the mounting, for example snap-wise, of the coupling portion stretch (14) thereof to said coupling seat (15); and/or wherein

said spring (18) with its elasticity compensates for dimensional mounting and/or production tolerances preventing the deterioration of the sliding performance of the pad (2) with respect to the thrust device (3); and/or wherein

said assembly (1) comprises a spring (18) for each thrust device (3) ; and/or wherein

said assembly (1) comprises a single spring (18) for each pair of thrust devices (3) .

6. Assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one coupling device (11) comprises a flat spring (19) ; and/or wherein said flat spring (19) is obtained by shearing, so that it is easy and fast to make; and/or wherein

said flat spring (19) is obtained by shearing and bending so as to include raised portions which facilitate the engagement with the seat of the thrust device (3) ; and/or wherein

said flat spring (19) has an annular shaped body (20) from which at least one central fixing extension (21) protrudes, adapted to be anchored to said plate (8) , for example by a rivet (24) ; and/or wherein

said flat spring (19) comprises said coupling portion (13) arranged raised with respect to said thrust surface (10) so as to facilitate coupling to said coupling seat (15) .

7. Assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one coupling device (11) comprises a wire spring (22) adapted to carry out localised contacts on lines or points of contact in order to reduce sticking between pad (2) and thrust device (3) during relative movements of sliding for example caused by wear of the friction material (7) ; and/or wherein

said wire spring (22) is obtained by bending, so that it is easy and fast to make; and/or wherein

said wire spring (22) is obtained by bending from a single wire in a single body so as to include raised portions which facilitate the engagement with the seat of the thrust device (3) ; and/or wherein

said wire spring (22) has at least one outer fixing extension (21) adapted to be wound and anchored to said plate (8) , for example by a rivet (24) ; and/or wherein

said wire spring (22) comprises said coupling portion (13) arranged raised with respect to said thrust surface (10) so as to facilitate coupling to said coupling seat (15) .

8. Pad of a disc brake (1) adapted to cooperate with at least one thrust device of disc brake (3) adapted to urge said pad (2) in abutment against a braking surface (4) of a disc (5) of disc brake

(6) to exert a braking action on a vehicle;

said pad (2) comprising:

- a support plate (8) adapted to support said friction material

(7) and receive the thrust from said thrust device (3) ; said support plate (8) comprising a support surface (9), adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface (10) adapted to receive and support said thrust device (3);

- at least one coupling device (11) ;

wherein

- said coupling device (11) comprises at least a first portion (12) firmly connected to said support surface (9) and comprises at least a second coupling portion (13) connectable in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device (3) , so as to connect said pad (2) to said thrust device (3) and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake (5) ;

characterised in that

- and wherein said at least one coupling portion stretch (14) is adapted to engage in a removable manner to at least one coupling seat (15) of said at least one thrust device (3) wherein said at least one coupling seat (15) extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and is adapted to be arranged parallel to the direction (T-T) or the circumferential development tangential of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

- and wherein said coupling portion stretch (14) is adapted to allow a sliding of said pad (2) along said tangential direction (T-T) while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device (3) .

9. Thrust device of a disc brake (3) adapted to urge a pad of a disc brake (2) in abutment against a braking surface (4) of a disc (5) of a disc brake (6) to exert a braking action on a vehicle, wherein said pad (2) comprises - friction material (7) adapted to abut against said braking surface (4) and exert said braking action; - a support plate (8) adapted to support said friction material (7) and receive the thrust from said thrust device (3) ; said support plate (8) comprising a support surface (9), adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface (10) adapted to receive and support said thrust device (3); - at least one coupling device (11) ; wherein - said coupling device (11) comprises at least a first portion (12) firmly connected to said support surface (9) and comprises at least a second hooking portion (13) connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device (3), so as to connect said pad (2) to said thrust device (3) and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake (5) ;

characterised in that

said at least one thrust device (3) comprises at least one coupling seat (15) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

and wherein said at least one second coupling portion (13) has at least a coupling portion stretch (14) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

- and wherein said at least one coupling portion stretch (15) is adapted to receive said at least one coupling portion stretch (14) in a removable manner and so as to allow a sliding of said pad (2) along said tangential direction (T-T) while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device (3) .

10. Calliper of disc brake (16) comprising a pad assembly (1) of disc brake (2) and at least one thrust device of disc brake (3) adapted to urge said pad (2) in abutment against a braking surface (4) of a disc (5) of disc brake (6) to exert a braking action on a vehicle ;

said pad (2) comprising:

- at least one coupling device (11) ;

wherein

characterised in that

11. Method for remove a disc brake pad (2) from a disc of disc brake (5), comprising the steps of:

- providing a pad (2) comprising friction material (7) adapted to abut against a braking surface (4) and exert said braking action; said pad comprising a support plate (8) adapted to support said friction material (7) and receive the thrust from said thrust device (3); said support plate (8) comprising a support surface (9), adapted to face the friction material and support it, and a thrust surface (10) adapted to receive and support said thrust device (3) ; said pad comprising at least one coupling device (11) ; wherein said coupling device (11) comprises at least a first portion (12) firmly connected to said support surface (9) and comprises at least a second coupling portion (13) connected in a removable manner to said at least one thrust device (3), so as to connect said pad (2) to said thrust device (3) and follow its movements away from the disc of disc brake (5); wherein said at least one second coupling portion (13) has at least one coupling portion stretch (14) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to a tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

- providing at least one thrust device of disc brake (3) wherein said at least one thrust device (3) comprises at least one coupling seat (15) which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said thrust surface (10) and adapted to be arranged parallel to the tangential (T-T) or circumferential development direction of said disc of disc brake (5) ;

- engaging said at least one coupling portion stretch (14) in a removable manner with said at least one coupling seat (15) so as to allow a sliding of said pad (2) along said tangential direction (T- T) while remaining firmly attached to said at least one thrust device (3) .