Device for indicating the wear of the brake pads of a disc brake with sensor and snap ring

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a device for indicating the wear of brake pads in a disc brake, the device triggering a signal when the brake pads reach a predetermined wear limit. The device has a retaining ring (10) and a sensor (32) having a sensor head (34) that can be secured in a hole in the brake pad and has a groove (36) for receiving the retaining ring (10) to fix the sensor (32) to the brake pad, wherein the groove (36) has a flat area and the shape of the retaining ring (10) matches the flat area. Another aspect of the invention relates to a retaining ring (10) having a region (12) with a uniform curvature, and at each of the two ends (14, 16) of the region (12) having bends (18, 20) directed toward the center (25) of the retaining ring (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for indicating the wear of brake pads in a disc brake, particularly for commercial vehicles such as trucks, trailers, or buses. Background Technology

[0002] Disc brakes in motor vehicles have brake pads that, through the operation of an actuator on a brake value transmitter, press the brake pads against a brake disc connected to the wheel to be braked, so that the braking effect can be transmitted to the brake disc and the wheel during braking. The brake pads also have friction pads that are worn down during braking.

[0003] Therefore, the desired outcome is to replace the brake pads when they wear down to a predetermined wear limit. Consequently, commercial vehicles, in particular, typically have brake pad wear indicators to alert the driver to the wear of the brake pads.

[0004] Disc brakes with such brake pad wear indicators are known, for example, from WO2012 / 052121A1.

[0005] DE 39 04 673 A1 discloses a device for indicating the wear of friction pads in a disc brake, the device having a conductive element that makes electrical contact with the brake disc under braking conditions when a predetermined wear limit is reached. The device includes a sensor that is pushed into a bore in the disc brake and secured therein by a retaining ring. The retaining ring is used to hold the sensor in place with a preload, preventing the sensor from twisting or shifting while the commercial vehicle is in motion.

[0006] For example, round wire retaining rings are used to secure these types of sensors within brake pads. Specialized pliers are required to install these retaining rings. However, even with specialized pliers, installing retaining rings is a difficult task. These retaining rings are also known as retaining rings, spring rings, or retaining rings. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for indicating the wear of brake pads in a disc brake of the above type, the device having a simplified assembly.

[0008] This task is solved by the device according to the invention for indicating the wear of brake pads of disc brakes, the circlip according to the invention, and the commercial vehicle according to the invention.

[0009] This invention relates to a device for indicating the wear of brake pads in a disc brake, which triggers a signal when the brake pads reach a predetermined wear limit. The device includes a retaining ring and a sensor. The sensor has a sensor head with a groove for receiving the retaining ring, thereby securing the sensor to the brake pad. The sensor head can be secured within a hole in the brake pad. The groove has a flat area, and the shape of the retaining ring matches the flat area.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the retaining ring has a circular region with uniform curvature, the circular region being bounded by two ends, each end having a bend toward the center of the retaining ring defined by the circular region.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, each end of the circular region separates the end piece of the retaining ring from the circular region, wherein each end piece has a straight region, and the two straight regions are parallel to each other and extend along a straight line.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the sensor head has a cylindrical shape, and the slot extends circumferentially in the sensor head.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the flat area of ​​the groove has a straight area, and the shape of the retaining ring matches the straight area of ​​the groove.

[0014] The flat area of ​​the groove and other extensions of the groove, as well as the circular area and two flat areas of the retaining ring, are specifically designed to allow the retaining ring to fit tightly into the groove.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the retaining rings are separated by end faces, each end face having a circumferentially perpendicular tangent relative to the retaining ring, wherein the end faces are parallel to each other.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a retaining ring having a region with a uniform curvature, and the retaining ring having a bend at the end of the region toward the center of the retaining ring.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the retaining ring, the two end pieces of the retaining ring are separated from the circular region of the retaining ring by a bend, wherein each end piece has a straight region, and the two straight regions are parallel to each other and extend along a straight line.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the retaining ring is composed of a circular spring wire with a constant cross-section.

[0019] According to the invention, the retaining ring is particularly useful in devices used to indicate the wear of brake pads in disc brakes.

[0020] This type of device makes it easier to mount the sensor onto the brake pads of a disc brake. Here, the flat end of the retaining ring allows for precise positioning of the retaining ring within the groove of the sensor head.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a commercial vehicle, particularly a truck or trailer vehicle, having a device for indicating the wear of brake pads of a disc brake. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 A retaining ring according to the prior art is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 A retaining ring according to the invention is shown; and

[0025] Figure 3 The invention illustrates a sensor for indicating the wear of brake pads in a disc brake. Figure 2 The retaining ring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This specification sets forth the principles disclosed in the invention. Therefore, it will be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to conceive of various arrangements, which, while not explicitly described herein, embody the principles disclosed in the invention and are also protected in scope.

[0027] Figure 1 A top view of a retaining ring 1 manufactured according to the prior art is shown, the retaining ring having uniformly curved, circular bends extending to its two ends 2, 3. The retaining ring 1 is preferably made of round steel wire.

[0028] For example, a retaining ring 1 can be used to secure a brake pad wear indicator sensor to a disc brake. This is done by inserting it into the sensor's slot. Special pliers are required to assemble such a retaining ring 1. However, during assembly, the retaining ring 1 may still encounter obstruction in the slot due to its free end.

[0029] Figure 2 A retaining ring 10 designed according to the present invention is schematically shown. The retaining ring 10 has a region 12 with a uniformly curved, circular bend, wherein the region 12 is defined at its two ends 14, 16 by bends 18, 20, respectively. Here, the bends 18, 20 separate the two end pieces 22, 24 of the retaining ring 10 from the circular region 12. The bends 18, 20 bend inward toward the center 25 defined by the circular region 12 of the retaining ring 10. The end pieces 22, 24 of the retaining ring 10 are straight.

[0030] Specifically, the straight end pieces 22 and 24 each have a straight region, which is represented by line segment 26. The retaining ring 10 is defined by end faces 28 and 30, wherein, in this embodiment, due to the bends 18 and 20, the end faces 28 and 30 are parallel to each other, because the straight regions of the end pieces 22 and 24 are located here. Figure 2 The lines not shown are parallel to each other, and the end faces 28 and 30 have vertical cut surfaces.

[0031] The retaining ring 10 can be used in particular to fasten a sensor to the brake pads of a disc brake.

[0032] Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates a sensor 32 of a device according to the invention for indicating wear of brake pads in a disc brake. The sensor has a cylindrical sensor head 34, and the sensor 32 can be fastened to the brake pads of the disc brake. Figure 3 (Not shown in the image). For this purpose, the sensor head 34 can be pushed into the hole of the brake pad and then secured with the retaining ring 10. The sensor head 34 can be secured in the hole of the brake pad by the retaining ring 10, especially with a pre-tightening, thereby preventing the sensor 32 from twisting and shifting.

[0033] The sensor 32 has a groove 36 extending circumferentially from the sensor head 34 for receiving a retaining ring 10. The groove 36 has a straight region whose dimensions match the dimensions of the straight ends 22 and 24 of the retaining ring 10. The straight region of the groove 36 and other extensions of the groove 36, as well as the flat ends 22, 24 and circular region 12 of the retaining ring 10, are specifically shaped to allow the retaining ring 10 to fit tightly into the groove 36.

[0034] The sensor 32 can be detachably secured to the brake pads via the retaining ring 10.

[0035] The retaining ring 10 is preferably a round wire retaining ring, and is made of, for example, round steel wire, especially spring steel wire.

[0036] All examples and conditional configurations mentioned herein should be understood as not being limited to the specific embodiments described herein. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art can make various adjustments and modifications to this disclosure based on their professional knowledge.

[0037] List of reference numerals (part of the instruction manual)

[0038] 1. Snap ring

[0039] 2, 3. Ends of circlip 1

[0040] 10 clasps

[0041] 12. Regions with uniform curvature

[0042] Ends of region 12, 14 and 16

[0043] 18, 20 Bending sections

[0044] 22, 24 End fittings of circlip 10

[0045] 25 circlip 10 center

[0046] 26 line segments

[0047] 28, 30 End faces of circlip 10

[0048] 32 sensors

[0049] 34 sensor heads

[0050] 36 slots

Claims

1. A device for indicating the wear of brake pads of a disc brake, the device triggering a signal when the brake pads reach a predetermined wear limit, the device having a retaining ring (10) and a sensor (32), the sensor having a sensor head (34) capable of being fastened in a hole in the brake pad and having a groove (36) for receiving the retaining ring (10) to fix the sensor (32) to the brake pad, wherein, The groove (36) has a flat area, and the shape of the retaining ring (10) matches the flat area, wherein the retaining ring (10) has a circular area (12) with uniform curvature, and wherein the circular area (12) is defined by two ends (14, 16), wherein each end (14, 16) of the circular area (12) separates the end piece (22, 24) of the retaining ring (10) from the circular area (12), wherein each end piece (22, 24) has a straight area, and the two straight areas are defined by the end face (28, 30) of the retaining ring (10). The feature is that the end faces (28, 30) are parallel to each other, wherein the sensor head (34) has a cylindrical shape, and the groove (36) extends in the circumferential direction of the sensor head (34), wherein the flat area of ​​the groove (36) and other extensions of the groove (36), as well as the circular area (12) of the retaining ring (10) and the two end pieces (22, 24) are designed such that the retaining ring (10) fits tightly into the groove (36).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The flat area of ​​the groove (36) has a straight area, and the shape of the retaining ring (10) matches the straight area of ​​the groove (36).

3. A retaining ring (10) for use in the device according to claim 1 or 2, the retaining ring having a circular region (12) with uniform curvature, and the retaining ring having bends (18, 20) at both ends (14, 16) of the circular region (12) respectively, in the direction toward the center (25) of the retaining ring (10), wherein, The circular region (12) is bounded by two ends (14, 16), wherein each end (14, 16) of the circular region (12) separates the end piece (22, 24) of the retaining ring (10) from the circular region (12), wherein each end piece (22, 24) has a straight region, and the two straight regions are bounded by the end face (28, 30) of the retaining ring (10). The end faces (28, 30) are parallel to each other, and the sensor head (34) has a cylindrical shape, and the groove (36) extends circumferentially in the sensor head (34), wherein the flat area of ​​the groove (36) and other extensions of the groove (36), as well as the circular area (12) of the retaining ring (10) and the two end pieces (22, 24) are designed such that the retaining ring (10) fits tightly into the groove (36).

4. The retaining ring (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The retaining ring (10) is composed of spring steel wire with a constant cross-section.

5. A commercial vehicle having the equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The commercial vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The commercial vehicle is configured as a truck or a trailer.

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