Brake piston system, brake piston bearing and brake foot

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake piston system, a brake piston bearing seat and a brake foot. A piston system configured for use in a brake system is disclosed. The piston system can include a piston that moves within a caliper during a brake operation and an articulating joint between the piston and a brake pad, wherein a brake force is transmitted through the articulating joint during a brake operation. Different types of articulating joints are also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to braking systems, such as vehicle braking systems, which include pistons for operating the braking system. Background Technology

[0002] A braking system (such as a disc brake system on vehicles like cars and trucks) may include a caliper housing and one or more pistons within the caliper housing. In operation, a disc brake system causes brake pads to press against the opposing contact surfaces of the brake rotors to generate tangential friction, thereby producing a braking effect. A disc brake system may include pistons that move against brake pads in response to a signal to produce a braking effect. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect disclosed herein, a brake piston system is provided. The brake piston system includes: a piston that moves within a caliper during braking operation; and a hinge joint located between the piston and a brake pad, wherein braking force is transmitted through the hinge joint during braking operation.

[0004] In a first embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot.

[0005] In a second embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes a first support surface and a second support surface configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis.

[0006] In a third embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes a first support surface and a second support surface configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis, and the first support surface and the second support surface configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about the first axis and the second axis.

[0007] In a fourth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes a first support surface and a second support surface configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis, and the first support surface and the second support surface are configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis.

[0008] In a fifth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint is a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint.

[0009] In a sixth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes a first support surface and a second support surface configured to press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis, and the first support surface is curved in three dimensions.

[0010] In a seventh embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, the hinge joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and the foot includes a ball of the ball-and-socket joint, and the piston includes a socket of the ball-and-socket joint.

[0011] In an eighth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint is a truncated ball joint.

[0012] In a ninth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint is a truncated ball joint, and the foot includes a truncated ball of the truncated ball joint, and the piston includes a recess of the truncated ball joint.

[0013] In a tenth embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein a hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes: a convex outward support surface; and a concave outward support surface, the concave outward support surface slidably engaging with the convex outward support surface, wherein the convex outward support surface is positioned to attach to the piston or a portion of the piston, and the concave outward support surface is positioned to attach to the foot or a portion of the foot.

[0014] In an eleventh embodiment of the first aspect, the brake piston system further includes a foot located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein a hinge joint connects the piston to the foot, and the hinge joint includes: a convex outward support surface; and a concave outward support surface slidably abutting the convex outward support surface, wherein the convex outward support surface is positioned to attach to the foot or a portion of the foot, and the concave outward support surface is positioned to attach to the piston or a portion of the piston.

[0015] In a second aspect disclosed herein, a brake piston support is provided. The brake piston support includes a support surface with a hinged joint, and is configured to hingedly transmit braking force to the brake pads during braking operation.

[0016] In a first embodiment of the second aspect, the brake piston support further includes a concave support surface configured to slidably engage with a convex support surface so as to hingedly transmit the braking force to the brake pad during braking operation.

[0017] In a second embodiment of the second aspect, the brake piston support further includes a convex support surface configured to slidably engage with a concave support surface so as to hingedly transmit the braking force to the brake pad during braking operation.

[0018] In a third embodiment of the second aspect, the brake piston support further includes a concave support surface configured to slidably engage with a convex support surface so as to hingedly transmit the braking force to the brake pad during braking operation, and the concave support surface is part of a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint.

[0019] In a fourth embodiment of the second aspect, the brake piston support further includes a convex support surface configured to slidably engage with a concave support surface to pivotally transfer the braking force to the brake pad during braking operation, and the convex support surface is part of a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint.

[0020] In a third aspect disclosed herein, a brake foot is provided, the brake foot being configured for use in a brake caliper and hingedly engaging with the nose of a brake piston via a hinged joint, and transmitting braking force to the brake pads during braking operations received via the hinged joint.

[0021] In some embodiments, the brake foot includes a concave support surface that is part of the hinged joint.

[0022] In some embodiments, the brake foot includes a convex support surface that is part of the hinged joint.

[0023] In some embodiments, the concave support surface is part of a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint.

[0024] In some embodiments, the convex support surface is part of a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 An embodiment of a brake piston subjected to misalignment due to brake pad wear is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 An embodiment of a brake piston assembly with a hinged joint is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 An embodiment of the base of a brake piston with a hinged joint is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 An embodiment of the base of a brake piston with a hinged joint is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 An embodiment of the base of a brake piston with a hinged joint is shown.

[0030] Figure 6 An embodiment of a brake piston support ring with a hinged joint is shown.

[0031] Figure 7An embodiment of a brake piston support ring with a hinged joint is shown.

[0032] Figures 8A to 8C It is a ball joint ( Figure 8A ), oval connector ( Figure 8B ) and saddle-shaped connector ( Figure 8C A schematic diagram of the implementation method. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly illustrate the various specific embodiments disclosed herein. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention currently claimed can be practiced without all the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well-known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

[0034] This disclosure relates to disc brake caliper pistons and piston systems, for example, for use in various vehicles including automobiles, trucks, aircraft, etc. Embodiments of this disclosure include pistons having an articulated joint provided between the piston and a brake pad. In some embodiments, this articulated joint can be used to transmit braking force from the piston to the brake pad during braking operation. In some embodiments, the articulated joint can be hinged to compensate for uneven wear of the brake pad while allowing the piston to maintain a more parallel orientation to the piston cylinder bore.

[0035] In some embodiments, the articulated joint can also be used with a brake piston foot that can provide an excessively large support surface for contacting the brake pad (or brake pad backing plate) to extend and / or distribute the braking force of the brake piston over an area of ​​the brake pad (or brake pad backing plate) that is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the piston.

[0036] As vehicles become larger and heavier, greater braking force can help bring them to a stop. Increased braking force can be achieved in several ways, such as by pushing the brake pedal harder, increasing the hydraulic advantage within the braking system to achieve greater pressure at the brake pistons, increasing the torque transmitted to the linear motion converter in the braking system, for example by increasing the motor torque or adding a gearbox or other torque multiplier, reducing frictional (e.g., viscous, mechanical, etc.) losses in the braking system, increasing the number of brake pistons to increase the braking force achieved for a given hydraulic pressure, or increasing the piston diameter to increase the braking force achieved for a given hydraulic pressure.

[0037] Increasing the number of pistons can lead to problems in implementing a parking brake system that integrates with the brake pistons. The reasons for this may include, for example... Figure 1The spindle / nut arrangement shown should be implemented on two pistons associated with the wheel, or there is a risk of uneven wear and / or uneven braking, which can lead to other operational problems, such as piston constraint.

[0038] Simply increasing the piston diameter can be limited by the width of the brake pads and other system dimensions.

[0039] Increasing the pressure on the piston to increase force may also introduce the risk of deforming the brake pads due to the highly localized forces (at the piston), which could lead to uneven wear and other operational problems.

[0040] Therefore, it can be advantageous to use a single, larger-diameter piston and then extend or distribute the force from the piston over a larger area or a region of different shape on the brake pad (or brake pad backing).

[0041] In some implementations of brake pistons, uneven wear of the brake pads can lead to uneven contact between the brake pads and the brake disc; for example, one area of ​​the brake pad may contact the brake disc before other parts of the brake pad. This can cause variations in the torque applied to the piston and the piston's rotation within the cylinder bore. Figure 1 As shown, here, when the unevenly worn brake pad 5 is pushed against the brake rotor surface 7, the piston 1 tilts in the cylinder bore 3.

[0042] The tilting or rotation of piston 1 within cylinder bore 3 can result in a constrained or uneven braking response of the piston during braking operation, but during the application and release of braking.

[0043] In some embodiments, the hinge joint 11 may be located between the piston 1 and the brake pad or brake pad or brake pad backing plate 23, such as Figure 2 As shown. Here, the hinge joint 11 is located at the end of the piston 1 near the brake pad or brake pad back plate 23. In operation, the end of the brake piston 1 contacts the support 17 of the hinge joint 11, which also contacts the support surface 19 of the brake pad foot 13. In operation, during braking, the piston 1 moves toward the brake pad or brake pad back plate and pushes the support 17 against the support surface 19 of the foot 13, and then the brake foot 13 pushes the brake pad against the brake rotor.

[0044] When the brake pads are unevenly worn, the brake pad backplate will tilt to allow more brake pads to contact the brake rotor when the brake pads contact the brake rotor. The support surface 19 of the foot 13 slides along the corresponding support surface 21 of the support seat 17. The force from the piston 1 is transmitted to the brake pads 25 and the brake rotor through the support surface 21 of the support seat and the support surface 19 of the brake pad backplate.

[0045] In some embodiments, the foot 13 and the support 17 may form a joint that allows force to be transmitted from the piston to the brake pads, while also allowing for angular alignment adjustment between the brake pads 5 and the piston 1.

[0046] In some implementations, the joint may include mating concave and convex surfaces that can slide and engage with each other.

[0047] In some embodiments, the joint may pivot about one, two, or three axes, wherein the first axis 41 is perpendicular to the brake pad backing plate, and the second axis 43 and the third axis 45 are perpendicular to the first axis and orthogonal to each other. Figure 2 The first axis 41, the second axis 43, and the third axis 45 are shown. Figure 2 The joints that pivot about the second and third axes are shown, while Figure 2 The joint may pivot about only one of the first, second, and third axes, or about any two of the first, second, and third axes, or about all three of the first, second, and third axes. When pivoting occurs about more than one axis, the degree of pivoting may be the same or different among these axes.

[0048] In some embodiments, the joint may include two support surfaces 21, 19 that press against each other and slide relative to each other to pivot about a first axis, a second axis and / or a third axis.

[0049] In some embodiments, the connector may include a brake pad backing plate, and the support 17 may form a ball-and-socket connector or a truncated ball-and-socket connector having respective support surfaces 21, 19, which have surfaces corresponding to or approximating a sphere or a portion of a sphere. In some embodiments, the connector may utilize one or two support surfaces 21, 19 that are curved in three dimensions, such as spherical, elliptical, or saddle-shaped, or other shapes that allow pivoting about one, two, and / or three axes. This allows for angular alignment adjustment of the brake pad, brake pad backing plate, or foot relative to the piston or support in a desired direction, for example, to compensate for uneven wear of the brake pad. Figure 8A (spherical joint) Figure 8B (oval connector) and Figure 8C (Saddle-shaped joint) illustrates schematic diagrams of some joint embodiments including support surfaces that are bent in three dimensions. The surfaces that are bent in three dimensions can be convex, concave, a mixture of convex and / or concave, and may optionally include flat (planar) portions.

[0050] Figures 3 to 5Different views of an embodiment of a foot having a foot support surface 19 as part of a sphere are shown. Figure 3 Is it through Figure 4 The cross section, and Figure 5 This is a bottom view of an embodiment of the foot 13 (facing the brake pad backplate). In this embodiment, the support surface 19 is located in the central portion of the foot 13 and extends into or near the edge of the foot within the narrow dimension of the foot 13, as shown. Figure 4 As shown, but in Figure 3 In one embodiment, the support surface 19 may extend only partially to one or both edges of the foot 13 in the narrow dimension of the foot 13. In some specific embodiments, the support surface may extend to or near one or more edges of the foot 13 in the long dimension of the foot.

[0051] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the foot may include a release area 29, which may include a hole through the foot or a recess extending into the foot to provide space for a portion of the piston (e.g., the nose 39 of piston 1) to extend into the foot 13.

[0052] Figures 3 to 5 The diagram also shows an optional hole 31 for attaching the foot 13 to the support 17 and / or the piston 1. In some embodiments, screws, pins, clips, or other types of fasteners may be used to attach the support to the support 17 and / or the piston 1, which allow the foot to retract with the piston when the brake is released and also allow relative movement between the foot support surface 19 and the support support surface 21.

[0053] exist Figures 3 to 5 The diagram also shows a lip 27 that may be adjacent to the brake pad region 35, where the brake pad 5 and / or brake pad backing plate 23 may be positioned after the brake system is assembled.

[0054] Figure 5 It also includes an optional brake pad indexing member 33, which may include extensions or recesses on the surface of the foot 13, which may be used, for example, to align the foot 13 with the brake pad backplate 23 by mating with one or more recesses or extensions of the backplate 23. The foot 13 may also include brake pad contact points for distributing braking force on the surface of the brake pad backplate 23.

[0055] Figure 6An embodiment of a support base 17 with a support surface 21 corresponding to a foot support surface 19 is shown to transmit force from the piston 1 to the brake pad 25 and to be slidably engaged to allow for angular alignment adjustment of the brake 25 and the piston 1. Figure 6 The diagram also shows an optional hole 32, which can be used to attach the support 17 to the piston 1. In some embodiments, the hole 32 can also be used, for example, to attach the foot 13 to the piston 1 by providing a fastener through the support 17 to the piston 1. Figure 7 A side view of a support 17 with a support surface 21 is shown (in this embodiment, the support surface is concave and can mate with the convex support surface of the foot 13).

[0056] Figure 6 The diagram also shows an optional opening 30 that allows the piston nose 39 to extend into the support 17. In some embodiments, the opening 30 may extend through the support 17, and in some embodiments, the opening 30 may extend only partially through the support 17. In some embodiments, the nose 39 may extend through the support 17 and into the foot 13. In some embodiments, the nose 39 may enter or extend through the support 17 but not into the foot 13.

[0057] In some embodiments, the support 17 may be a separate component assembled to the piston 1. In some embodiments, the support 17 may be integral with the piston 1, for example, by molding, machining, etc. In some embodiments, the support 17 may be attached to the piston 1, for example, by using fasteners (e.g., screws, pins, tabs, clips, etc.), or by threading, pressing, etc., or by adhesive, or by welding, or by any method that allows the support 17 to retract from the piston 1 when the brake is released.

[0058] In some embodiments, the foot 13 may be a separate component that mates with the brake pad backing plate 23 and the support 17. In some embodiments, the foot 13 may be integral with the brake pad backing plate 23, for example, by molding, machining, etc. In some embodiments, the foot 13 may be attached to the brake pad backing plate 23, for example, by using fasteners (e.g., screws, pins, tabs, clips, etc.), or by threading, pressing, etc., or by adhesive, or by welding, or by any method that allows the foot 13 to remain in contact with the backing plate 23 and retract by the piston 1 when the brake is released.

[0059] The invention has now been described in accordance with the requirements of patent law, and those skilled in the art will understand how changes and modifications can be made to the invention to meet its specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein.

[0060] As required by law, for illustrative and disclosure purposes, the foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is provided. It is not intended to be exhaustive, nor to limit the invention to the precise forms described, but merely to enable those skilled in the art to understand how the invention can be applied to a particular purpose or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The description of exemplary embodiments is not intended to be limiting; these exemplary embodiments may include tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, etc., and these exemplary embodiments may vary between implementations or with changes to the prior art, and should not be construed as limiting. The applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the prior art, but improvements have also been contemplated, and future modifications may be made taking into account these improvements, i.e., according to the prior art. The scope of the invention is defined by the written claims and applicable equivalents. Unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to claim elements in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one". Furthermore, the elements, components, or methods or processing steps in this disclosure, whether or not they are expressly recited in the claims, are not intended to be exclusive to the public. The use of language and other terms of degree such as “approximately,” “some,” “about,” and “close” in this disclosure is intended to be interpreted by those skilled in the art as meaning that the language would be understood by those skilled in the art based on the context, and further understood that a 20% tolerance should be applied if the context does not provide sufficient guidance. The use of the word “or” should be understood to also include the meaning of “and,” unless the context otherwise indicates. Unless expressly stated, references to claim elements in the singular are not intended to mean “one and only one.” Furthermore, the elements, components, or methods or processing steps in this disclosure are not intended to be proprietary to the public, whether or not they are expressly described in the claims.

Claims

1. A braking piston system, the braking piston system comprising: A piston that moves within the caliper during braking operation; as well as A hinged joint, wherein the hinged joint is located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein Braking force is transmitted through the articulated joint during braking operation; and A foot, located between the piston and the brake pad, wherein the hinge joint connects the piston to the foot. in: The hinged joint includes: A convex outward supporting surface; and A concave outward supporting surface slidably engages with a convex outward supporting surface, wherein the convex outward supporting surface is attached to the foot, and the concave outward supporting surface is attached to a support seat, which is attached to the piston. The piston includes a protruding piston nose that extends into an opening included in the hinge joint.

2. The braking piston system according to claim 1, wherein, The hinged joint is a ball joint, a truncated ball joint, a saddle joint, an elliptical joint, or a truncated elliptical joint.

3. The braking piston system according to claim 2, wherein, The foot includes the ball of the ball joint, and the piston includes the socket of the ball joint.

4. The braking piston system according to claim 1, wherein, The hinged joint is a truncated ball joint.

5. The braking piston system according to claim 4, wherein, The base includes the truncated ball of the truncated ball joint, and the piston includes the recess of the truncated ball joint.

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