Brake caliper

Abstract

The brake caliper comprises a brake caliper body, a motion conversion mechanism and an actuator, the brake caliper body comprises a caliper body, a cavity is formed in the caliper body, the motion conversion mechanism is arranged in the cavity, the actuator comprises a gear set, an input gear of the gear set is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism, and an output gear of the gear set is arranged on the other side of the motion conversion mechanism. According to the brake caliper, the gear set and the actuator are arranged on the outer side of the nut, the size of the brake caliper is reduced, the structural compactness is improved, the brake caliper is compact in overall structure, the axial size and the radial size can be reduced, and arrangement at wheel ends of different configurations and different vehicle types can be better facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of automobile brake calipers, and specifically relates to a brake caliper. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the space for arranging the brake caliper at the wheel end is very limited. There are drive shafts and suspensions on the front wheels of the vehicle. When the car is turning, the wheels will swing left and right around the Z-axis of the vehicle coordinate system. When the car is bumpy, the wheels will jump up and down relative to the drive shaft. The brake caliper is prone to interfere with surrounding parts. With the development of technology, many components, such as air springs, will be arranged on the wheels, and the space of the rim is increasingly used, which further compresses the arrangement space of the brake caliper and makes interference more likely to occur.

[0003] To solve the above problems, the layout scheme in patent document US20230151861A1 refers to the traditional EPB caliper. The motor and the cylinder bore are arranged in parallel axes, and a motion conversion mechanism is arranged in the cylinder bore. The torque and speed output by the motor are input into the motion conversion mechanism after the gear set is decelerated and torque increased, and converted into axial displacement and clamping force. The problem is that in order to meet the braking needs of the vehicle, the motor and gear set of the electronic mechanical brake caliper are relatively large, occupying a considerable part of the axial space. Secondly, the wheel end controller will also be arranged on the brake caliper, which will inevitably increase the axial size, causing the brake caliper to easily interfere with peripheral components such as the drive shaft, and the above problems cannot be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model is developed to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a brake caliper with a compact overall structure, which can reduce the axial size and radial size, and can be more convenient to be arranged at the wheel ends of different configurations and different models. In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0005] The utility model provides a brake caliper, comprising a brake caliper body, a motion conversion mechanism and an actuator. The brake caliper body comprises a caliper body, a cavity is provided on the caliper body, and the motion conversion mechanism is arranged in the cavity. The utility model is characterized in that the actuator comprises a gear set, and the input gear of the gear set is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism.

[0006] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that a first bearing is provided between an end of the motion conversion mechanism away from the hook and the top of the cavity, and the first bearing is a thrust needle roller bearing.

[0007] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that the motion conversion mechanism includes a screw shaft and a nut, the nut can be movably mounted on the screw shaft, the cavity is provided with a third opening, the third opening is provided with a top protrusion, a second bearing is provided between the top protrusion and the nut, and the second bearing is a sliding bearing; a third bearing is provided on the side of the input gear close to the inner brake pad, and the third bearing is a ball bearing.

[0008] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that the motion conversion mechanism includes a screw shaft and a nut, the nut can be movably mounted on the screw shaft, and a fourth bearing and a fifth bearing are provided at both ends of the nut, and the fourth bearing and the fifth bearing are both ball bearings.

[0009] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that a first opening and a second opening are provided on the cavity, the second opening is located on one side of the first opening, the screw shaft passes through the first opening and is connected to the inner brake pad, the input gear is connected to the gear set through the second opening, a baffle is provided at the first opening, a sealing ring is provided between the baffle and the brake caliper body, and a sealing cover is provided between the baffle and the screw shaft.

[0010] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that a first elastic member is provided between the third bearing and the baffle.

[0011] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that a second elastic member is provided between the fifth bearing and the baffle.

[0012] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that the brake caliper body also includes a hook, and an inner brake pad, a brake disc and an outer brake pad are arranged in sequence between the hook and the cavity, and the end of the screw shaft away from the cavity is connected to the inner brake pad.

[0013] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have the following features: the screw shaft is cup-shaped, the nut is hollow cylindrical, the screw shaft is provided with an outer spiral raceway, the nut is provided with an inner spiral raceway, and a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft and the nut.

[0014] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such features that the nut and the screw shaft are both cup-shaped, the screw shaft is provided with an outer spiral raceway, the nut is provided with an inner spiral raceway, a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft and the nut, the cavity is provided with a fourth opening, a force sensor is provided in the fourth opening, the circuit board is arranged in the electronic control unit ECU, and the force sensor is connected to the circuit board through a pin needle.

[0015] The brake caliper provided by the utility model may also have such a feature that a first limiting boss is provided at the end of the screw shaft, and a second limiting boss matched with the first limiting boss is provided on the nut.

[0016] The technical effect of the utility model is as follows: the brake caliper provided by the utility model includes a brake caliper body, a motion conversion mechanism and an actuator, the brake caliper body includes a caliper body, a cavity is provided on the caliper body, the motion conversion mechanism is arranged in the cavity, the actuator includes a gear set, the input gear of the gear set is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism, so that the gear set including the actuator are arranged on the outside of the nut, so that the size of the brake caliper is reduced and the compactness of the structure is improved.

[0017] Therefore, the brake caliper provided by the utility model has a compact overall structure, can reduce the size and radial size, and can be more convenient to arrange at the wheel ends of different configurations and different vehicle models. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] This specification includes the following drawings, which show the following contents:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper in Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper in the second embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the brake caliper body in the second embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Marked in the figure: 10-brake caliper body, 11-caliper body, 12-cavity, 121-first opening, 122-second opening, 123-third opening, 124-top protrusion, 125-fourth opening, 13-hook, 14-inner brake pad, 15-brake disc, 16-outer brake pad, 17-baffle, 18-sealing ring, 19-sealing cover, 20-motion conversion mechanism, 21-screw shaft, 211-first limiting boss, 22-nut, 221-second limiting boss, 30-actuator, 31-motor, 32-gear set, 33-input gear, 41-first bearing, 42-second bearing, 43-third bearing, 44-fourth bearing, 45-fifth bearing, 1-first elastic member, 52-second elastic member, 60-force sensor, 70-electronic control unit ECU, 71-circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The specific implementation methods of the present invention are further explained in detail below by describing the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, with the aim of helping those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention and facilitating its implementation.

[0024] <Example 1>

[0025] Figure 1It is a structural schematic diagram of the brake caliper in the first embodiment of the utility model.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the brake caliper provided by the utility model includes a brake caliper body 10, a motion conversion mechanism 20 and an actuator 30. The brake caliper body 10 includes a caliper body 11, and a cavity 12 is provided on the caliper body 11. The brake caliper body 10 also includes a hook 13, and an inner brake pad 14, a brake disc 15 and an outer brake pad 16 are sequentially arranged between the hook 13 and the cavity 12.

[0027] The motion conversion mechanism 20 is arranged in the cavity, and the actuator 30 includes a motor 31 and a gear set 32. The gear set 32 ​​is composed of multiple stages of mutually meshing gear pairs, including at least one stage of gear pairs. Each stage of the gear pair includes a driving gear and a passive gear. The driving gear in the first stage of the mutually meshing gear pair is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 31, and the passive gear in the last stage of the mutually meshing gear pair is the input gear 33. The input gear 33 is fixedly connected to the motion conversion mechanism. The motor 31 can drive the input gear 33 to rotate through the gear set 32. The function of the gear set 32 ​​is to reduce the torque.

[0028] The input gear 33 of the gear set 32 ​​is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism 20 and on the side close to the inner brake pad. An output shaft is arranged at one end of the motor 31, and the output shaft is fixedly connected to the driving gear of the first-stage gear of the gear set 32. The motor 31 and the gear set 32 ​​constitute an actuator 30. The actuator 30 is arranged in parallel with the motion conversion mechanism 20 in space. The actuator 30 is located on one side of the motion conversion mechanism 20. The axial size of the brake caliper is only related to the axial length of the motion conversion mechanism. The actuator 30 does not occupy the axial space, thereby further reducing the size of the brake caliper and improving the compactness of the structure.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the motion conversion mechanism 20 is a ball screw, and the motion conversion mechanism 20 includes a screw shaft 21 and a nut 22. The inner hole of the input gear 33 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the nut 22, and a gap is set between the outer wall of the nut 22 and the inner wall of the cavity 12; the nut 22 can be movably mounted on the screw shaft 21, and the screw shaft 21 and the nut 22 are arranged in the cavity 12. The cavity 12 is a semi-closed structure, which can ensure the rigidity of the caliper body 11 on the one hand, and provide an installation space for the motion conversion mechanism 20 on the other hand.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the screw shaft 21 is cup-shaped, the top of the screw shaft 21 is open and the bottom is closed, the cross-section of the screw shaft 21 in the axial direction of the screw shaft 21 is U-shaped, the nut 22 is hollow cylindrical, open at both ends, the outer wall and the end of the nut are composed of two parts or made in one piece, the screw shaft 21 is provided with an external thread, the nut 22 is provided with an internal thread, and a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft 21 and the nut 22.

[0031] In the first embodiment, a first limiting boss 211 is provided at the end of the screw shaft 21, and a second limiting boss 221 matched with the first limiting boss 211 is provided on the nut 22. When the first limiting boss 211 and the second limiting boss 221 are in contact, the nut 22 is in the zero position relative to the screw shaft 21.

[0032] In the first embodiment, one end of the screw shaft 21 away from the cavity 12 is connected to the inner brake pad 14, restricting the screw shaft 21 from rotating, while enabling the screw shaft 21 to drive the inner brake pad 14 to extend and retract, thereby approaching and clamping the brake disc 15 or moving away from the brake disc 15.

[0033] In the first embodiment, a first opening 121 and a second opening 122 are provided on the cavity 12, and the second opening 122 is located on one side of the first opening 121. The screw shaft 21 passes through the first opening 121 and is connected to the inner brake pad 14. The other end of the screw shaft 21 is located in the cavity 12, and the input gear 33 passes through the second opening 122 and is meshed with the driving gear of the last gear pair of the gear set 32, so that the input gear 33 can receive the torque and speed transmitted by the motor 31 through the gear 32 after deceleration and torque increase, and then the motion conversion mechanism 20 converts the rotation and torque of the nut 22 into linear motion and thrust of the screw shaft 21. A baffle 17 is provided at the first opening 121, a sealing ring 18 is provided between the baffle 17 and the brake caliper body 10, and a sealing cover 19 is provided between the baffle 17 and the screw shaft 21. The sealing ring 18 and the sealing cover 19 can ensure the sealing of the motion conversion mechanism 20 and the brake caliper body 10, prevent dust and other impurities from entering the motion conversion mechanism 20, causing failure or jamming of the motion conversion mechanism 20, avoid affecting the operation of the brake caliper, and improve the reliability of the structure.

[0034] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a first bearing 41 is provided between one end of the nut 22 away from the hook 13 and the top of the cavity 12. The first bearing 41 is a thrust needle bearing. The first bearing 41 can provide axial support and can transmit the reaction force of the axial load of the motion conversion mechanism 20 to the caliper body 11. At the same time, the sliding friction between the nut 22 and the cavity 12 is converted into rolling friction, thereby improving the transmission conversion efficiency, thereby further ensuring that the nut 22 can rotate smoothly.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the cavity 12 is provided with a third opening 123 , and the third opening 123 is provided with a top protrusion 124 , which abuts against the inner wall of the nut 22 , and a second bearing 42 is provided between the top protrusion 124 and the nut 22 , and the second bearing 42 is an oil-containing bearing. At the same time, a third bearing 43 is provided on the side of the input gear 33 close to the inner brake pad 14. The third bearing 43 is a ball bearing. One side of the third bearing 43 abuts against the end face of the input gear 33, and the other side of the third bearing 43 abuts against the baffle 17. The second bearing 42 and the third bearing 43 are radial support bearings, which can support the input gear 33 to rotate smoothly. A first elastic member 51 is provided between the third bearing 43 and the baffle 17. The first elastic member 51 is a wave spring. The first elastic member 51 can provide axial preload for the second bearing 42 and the third bearing 43, so as to prevent the second bearing 42 and the third bearing 43 from loosening or shaking, thereby avoiding affecting the rotation of the nut 22 and avoiding the nut 22 from interfering with the cavity 12 after tilting.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the actuator 30 is arranged in parallel with the motion conversion mechanism 20 in space. The actuator 30 is located on one side of the motion conversion mechanism 20. The axial size of the brake caliper is only related to the axial length of the motion conversion mechanism. The actuator 30 does not occupy the axial space, thereby further reducing the size of the brake caliper and improving the compactness of the structure. The motion conversion mechanism 20 is a ball screw. In order to adaptably adjust the type and position of the first bearing 41, the second bearing 42 and the third bearing 43, a third opening 123 and a top protrusion 124 are provided on the caliper body 11, further reducing the size of the brake caliper body and further improving the compactness of the brake caliper body. The brake caliper provided by the utility model can be more convenient to be arranged at the wheel ends of different configurations and different models.

[0037] <Example 2>

[0038] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper in the second embodiment of the utility model; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the brake caliper body in the second embodiment of the present utility model. For the convenience of expression, the same symbols are given to the same structures as those in the first embodiment in this embodiment, and the same descriptions are omitted.

[0039] In the second embodiment, the motion conversion mechanism 20 is a ball screw, the screw shaft 21 and the nut 22 are both cup-shaped, the top of the screw shaft 21 is open and the bottom is closed, the cross-section of the screw shaft 21 in the axial direction of the screw shaft 21 is U-shaped, the bottom of the nut 22 is open and the top is closed, the cross-section of the nut 22 in the axial direction of the screw shaft 21 is U-shaped, the side wall and the end of the nut 22 can be made in one piece or by a combination of two parts, the screw shaft 21 is provided with an outer spiral raceway, the nut 22 is provided with an inner spiral raceway, a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft 21 and the nut 22, the cavity 12 is provided with a fourth opening 125, and a force sensor 60 is provided in the fourth opening 125. The circuit board 71 is arranged in the electronic control unit ECU70, and the force sensor 60 is connected to the circuit board 71 through a pin needle. The force sensor 60 is an annular force sensor or a button-type force sensor. In the third embodiment, the fourth opening 125 can provide an installation position for the force sensor 60 on the caliper body 11, and can adapt to force sensors 60 of different structural types and different sizes, avoiding the increase in size caused by installing the force sensor 60, thereby further reducing the size of the brake caliper, and further improving the structural compactness of the brake caliper body, so that the brake caliper provided by the utility model can be more conducive to arrangement at the wheel ends of different configurations and different models.

[0040] In embodiment two, the first bearing 41 is located between the force sensor 60 and the nut 22. The first bearing 41 is a thrust needle roller bearing. A washer of the first bearing 41 abuts against the end face of the nut 22 and rotates with the rotation of the nut 22. Another washer of the first bearing 41 abuts against the force sensor 60. The other end of the force sensor 60 abuts against the caliper body 11. The first bearing 41 can ensure the smooth rotation of the nut 22 and can ensure that the force sensor 60 is not affected by the torque. At the same time, the force of the axial load is transmitted to the force sensor 60 and then to the caliper body 11.

[0041] In the second embodiment, a fourth bearing 44 and a fifth bearing 45 are provided at both ends of the nut 22. The fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45 are both ball bearings and four-point contact bearings. The inner ring of the fourth bearing 44 abuts against the outer wall of the nut 22, and the outer ring of the fourth bearing 44 abuts against the inner wall of the cavity 12. The fourth bearing 44 can bear axial preload and radial force. The inner ring of the fifth bearing 45 abuts against the outer wall of the nut 22, and the outer ring of the fifth bearing 45 abuts against the baffle 17. The fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45 can bear axial preload and radial force, and can resist the influence of the braking tangential force on the motion conversion mechanism during braking, so as to ensure that the nut 22 can rotate smoothly. At the same time, a second elastic member 52 is provided between the fifth bearing 45 and the baffle 17. The second elastic member 52 is a wave spring. The second elastic member 52 can provide axial preload for the fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45, thereby preventing the fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45 from loosening or shaking, and avoiding affecting the rotation of the nut 22.

[0042] In the second embodiment, the structure of the caliper body 11 is changed, and the cavity 12 is provided with a fourth opening 125, which provides an installation position for the force sensor 60, thereby avoiding the size increase caused by the installation of the force sensor 60, thereby further reducing the size of the brake caliper, further improving the compactness of the structure of the brake caliper body, so that the brake caliper provided by the utility model can be more convenient to be arranged at the wheel ends of different configurations and different models. At the same time, through the types and arrangement positions of the first bearing 41, the fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45, it is ensured that the nut 22 can rotate smoothly and stably, and at the same time, it is ensured that the force sensor 60 can be not affected by the torque, and the force of the axial load is transmitted to the force sensor 60.

[0043] Functions and Effects of the Embodiments

[0044] The brake caliper provided by the utility model includes a brake caliper body 10, a motion conversion mechanism 20 and an actuator 30. The brake caliper body 10 includes a caliper body 11, a cavity 12 is provided on the caliper body 11, the motion conversion mechanism 20 is arranged in the cavity, and the actuator 30 includes a motor 31 and a gear set 32. The input gear 33 of the gear set 32 ​​is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism 20. The motor 31 can drive the input gear 33 to rotate through the gear set 32, so that the motor 31 and the gear set 32 ​​do not occupy additional axial space. The axial size of the brake caliper is only related to the axial length of the motion conversion mechanism. The actuator 30 does not occupy the axial space, so that the size of the brake caliper is reduced and the compactness of the structure is improved. Therefore, the brake caliper provided by the utility model has a compact overall structure, can reduce the axial size and radial size, and can be more conducive to arrangement at the wheel end of different configurations and different models.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the motion conversion mechanism 20 is a ball screw, and in order to adaptively adjust the types and positions of the first bearing 41, the second bearing 42 and the third bearing 43, a third opening 123 and a top protrusion 124 are provided on the caliper body 11, so as to further reduce the size of the brake caliper body and further improve the structural compactness of the brake caliper body, so that the brake caliper provided by the utility model can be more conveniently arranged at the wheel ends of different configurations and different vehicle models.

[0046] In the second embodiment, the structure of the caliper body 11 is changed, and the cavity 12 is provided with a fourth opening 125, which provides an installation position for the force sensor 60 and can adapt to force sensors 60 of different structural types and sizes, thereby avoiding the size increase caused by the installation of the force sensor 60, thereby further reducing the size of the brake caliper, further improving the structural compactness of the brake caliper body, and making the brake caliper provided by the utility model more conducive to being arranged at the wheel ends of different configurations and different models. At the same time, through the types and arrangement positions of the first bearing 41, the fourth bearing 44 and the fifth bearing 45, it is ensured that the nut 22 can rotate smoothly and stably, and at the same time, it is ensured that the force sensor 60 can be not affected by the torque, and the force of the axial load is transmitted to the force sensor 60.

[0047] The above is an exemplary description of the utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the utility model is not limited to the above-mentioned method. As long as various non-substantial improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the utility model; or the above concept and technical solution of the utility model are directly applied to other occasions without improvement, they are all within the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A brake caliper, comprising a brake caliper body (10), a motion conversion mechanism (20) and an actuator (30), wherein the brake caliper body (10) comprises a caliper body (11), a cavity (12) is provided on the caliper body (11), and the motion conversion mechanism (20) is arranged in the cavity (12), characterized in that: The actuator (30) comprises a gear set (32), and an input gear (33) of the gear set (32) is arranged on one side of the motion conversion mechanism (20).

2. The brake caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first bearing (41) is provided between an end of the motion conversion mechanism (20) away from the hook (13) and the top of the cavity (12), and the first bearing (41) is a thrust needle roller bearing.

3. The brake caliper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motion conversion mechanism (20) comprises a screw shaft (21) and a nut (22), wherein the nut (22) is movably sleeved on the screw shaft (21), the cavity (12) is provided with a third opening (123), the third opening (123) is provided with a top protrusion (124), a second bearing (42) is provided between the top protrusion (124) and the nut (22), and the second bearing (42) is a sliding bearing; and a third bearing (43) is provided on a side of the input gear (33) close to the inner brake pad (14), and the third bearing (43) is a ball bearing.

4. The brake caliper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motion conversion mechanism (20) comprises a screw shaft (21) and a nut (22), wherein the nut (22) is movably sleeved on the screw shaft (21), and a fourth bearing (44) and a fifth bearing (45) are provided at both ends of the nut (22), wherein the fourth bearing (44) and the fifth bearing (45) are both ball bearings.

5. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that: The cavity (12) is provided with a first opening (121) and a second opening (122), the second opening (122) being located on one side of the first opening (121), the screw shaft (21) passing through the first opening (121) to be connected to the inner brake pad (14), the input gear (33) being connected to the gear set (32) through the second opening (122), a baffle (17) being provided at the first opening (121), a sealing ring (18) being provided between the baffle (17) and the brake caliper body (10), and a sealing cover (19) being provided between the baffle (17) and the screw shaft (21).

6. The brake caliper according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first elastic member (51) is provided between the third bearing (43) and the baffle (17).

7. The brake caliper according to claim 5, characterized in that: A second elastic member (52) is provided between the fifth bearing (45) and the baffle (17).

8. The brake caliper according to claim 5, characterized in that: The brake caliper body (10) further comprises a hook (13), an inner brake pad (14), a brake disc (15) and an outer brake pad (16) are sequentially arranged between the hook (13) and the cavity (12), and one end of the screw shaft (21) away from the cavity (12) is connected to the inner brake pad (14).

9. The brake caliper according to claim 8, characterized in that: The screw shaft (21) is cup-shaped, the nut (22) is hollow cylindrical, the screw shaft (21) is provided with an outer spiral raceway, the nut (22) is provided with an inner spiral raceway, and a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft (21) and the nut (22).

10. The brake caliper according to claim 8, characterized in that: The nut (22) and the screw shaft (21) are both cup-shaped, the screw shaft (21) is provided with an outer spiral raceway, the nut (22) is provided with an inner spiral raceway, a steel ball is provided between the screw shaft (21) and the nut (22), the cavity (12) is provided with a fourth opening (125), a force sensor (60) is provided in the fourth opening (125), a circuit board (71) is arranged in an electronic control unit ECU (70), and the force sensor (60) is connected to the circuit board (71) via a pin.

11. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that: A first limiting boss (211) is provided at the end of the screw shaft (21), and a second limiting boss (221) matching the first limiting boss (211) is provided on the nut (22).

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