Brake caliper, brake system and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a kind of brake caliper, brake system and vehicle, the brake caliper includes: caliper body;Brake pad, movably arranged in caliper body along first direction;Drive module, is arranged in caliper body;Drive module includes one drive part, one transmission part and two piston assemblies, piston assembly movably arranged in caliper body along first direction;Drive part is connected with transmission part, transmission part is connected with two piston assemblies, and drive two piston assemblies move along first direction, abut and drive brake pad to move.By setting two piston assemblies, it can be adapted to larger area brake pad, to improve the braking capacity and brake efficiency of brake caliper.Secondly, the structure of the brake caliper of the present disclosure is simple and has fewer components, which facilitates simplified design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of braking technology, and in particular to a brake caliper, braking system and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle's braking system is a system that applies a certain braking force to the wheels to force a certain degree of braking. The function of the braking control system is to force a vehicle to decelerate or even stop according to the driver's or controller's requirements, or to keep a parked vehicle stable under various road conditions (e.g., on a slope), or to keep a vehicle traveling downhill at a stable speed.

[0003] However, in related technologies, vehicle braking systems often suffer from insufficient braking capacity, and have a large number of components, resulting in an unsimplistic structural layout. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the problems existing in the related technologies, this disclosure provides a brake caliper, a braking system, and a vehicle to solve the technical problems existing in the related technologies.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a brake caliper is provided, the brake caliper comprising: Caliper body; Brake pads are movably disposed on the caliper body along a first direction; The drive module is disposed on the caliper body; The drive module includes a drive unit, a transmission unit, and two piston assemblies, the piston assemblies being movably disposed on the caliper body along the first direction; The drive unit is connected to the transmission unit, and the transmission unit is connected to the two piston assemblies, driving the two piston assemblies to move along the first direction, abutting against and driving the brake pads to move.

[0006] Specifically, by setting two piston assemblies, the braking force can be evenly distributed, reducing brake pad wear and accommodating larger brake pads, thereby improving the braking capacity and efficiency of the brake caliper. Secondly, for the brake caliper of this disclosure, the drive unit in the drive module is set to a single drive unit, eliminating the need for multiple redundant drive units. This facilitates the driving of both piston assemblies, resulting in a simpler structural layout with fewer parts, thus simplifying the design of the brake caliper.

[0007] In some embodiments, the drive unit includes a drive motor, and the transmission unit includes a first worm and two first worm wheels; The first worm gear is connected to the drive motor in a transmission connection; One of the first worm gears is drivenly connected to the first worm gear and is also drivenly connected to one of the piston assemblies; Another of the first worm gears is drivenly connected to the first worm gear and is drivenly connected to another of the piston assemblies.

[0008] In this system, when the drive motor rotates, the first worm gear, which is connected to the drive motor, also rotates. As the first worm gear rotates, the two first worm wheels rotate synchronously, driving the two piston assemblies to move, thereby moving the brake pads and achieving braking. The two piston assemblies can accommodate larger brake pads; under the same braking conditions, the braking energy distributed per unit area of ​​brake pad is lower, resulting in better heat fade resistance for the entire brake caliper. Furthermore, the transmission method of the first worm gear and first worm wheels allows for a large reduction ratio, achieving the purpose of speed reduction and torque increase, without requiring excessive reduction mechanisms, resulting in fewer parts and a simplified structural layout. In addition, compared to gear transmission, the worm gear transmission method has lower operating noise, effectively improving NVH performance during braking.

[0009] In some embodiments, the piston assembly includes a first lead screw and nut assembly, the first lead screw and nut assembly including a first drive screw and a first drive nut; The first drive nut is axially locked and circumferentially rotatable on the caliper body, and the transmission part is pulsatorically connected to the first drive nut; The first drive screw extends along the first direction and is axially movable and circumferentially locked through and connected to the first drive nut, and the first drive screw is used to abut against and drive the brake pad to move.

[0010] The lead screw and nut assembly typically possesses high linear positioning accuracy, enabling adjustments at a higher level of precision. Therefore, when using brake calipers, it can precisely control the position of the brake pads, resulting in more accurate and stable braking. Furthermore, the lead screw and nut assembly's transmission method produces lower noise, effectively improving NVH performance during braking. However, this disclosure does not limit the specific structural form of the piston assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the piston assembly further includes a limiting member fixed to the caliper body; The limiting component includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part connected to each other. The first limiting part is used to limit the movement of the first driving nut along the first direction, and the second limiting part is used to limit the rotation of the first driving screw.

[0012] Specifically, when the first drive nut drives the first drive screw to move towards the brake pad, the first drive nut is subjected to a force in the opposite direction. By providing a limiting member, the first limiting portion of which effectively restricts the movement of the first drive nut in the first direction, and the second limiting portion of which restricts the rotation of the first drive screw, the effective movement of the first drive screw is ensured.

[0013] In some embodiments, the piston assembly further includes a thrust bearing, the first limiting portion is disposed on the side of the first drive nut away from the brake pad along the first direction, and the thrust bearing is disposed between the first limiting portion and the first drive nut.

[0014] The thrust bearing can effectively bear the load of the first drive nut in the first direction and can transmit the load to the first limiting part.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first drive screw is formed with a limiting groove extending in the first direction, and the second limiting portion includes a limiting rod extending in the first direction; The limiting groove is movably sleeved on the limiting rod along the first direction, and the limiting groove can be circumferentially locked with the limiting rod to restrict the rotation of the first driving screw.

[0016] The rotation of the first drive screw is restricted by the circumferential locking of the limiting groove and the limiting rod.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cross-sections of the limiting rod and the limiting groove can be non-circular.

[0018] By employing a non-circular cross-section design, the relative rotation between the limiting rod and the limiting groove can be effectively restricted.

[0019] In some embodiments, the piston assembly further includes a force sensor disposed on the side of the first limiting portion away from the first drive nut along the first direction.

[0020] The force detected by the force sensor corresponds to the clamping force of the corresponding piston assembly. By summing the clamping force values ​​of each piston assembly, the total clamping force of the brake caliper can be obtained, thus enabling the monitoring of the clamping force of the brake caliper.

[0021] In some embodiments, the piston assembly further includes a piston body connected to the first drive screw and used to abut against the brake pad.

[0022] By designing this piston body, better contact with the brake pads can be achieved. Simultaneously, it protects the first drive screw from direct wear and acts as a buffer zone between the first drive screw and the brake pads, thereby extending the service life of the first drive screw.

[0023] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the first drive screw is provided with a stop protrusion, the interior of the piston body is formed with an insertion cavity, and the inner wall of the insertion cavity is recessed with a stop groove, and a stop retaining spring is provided in the stop groove. The first drive screw is used to be inserted into the insertion cavity, and the stop protrusion is used to abut against the stop snap ring.

[0024] The first drive screw is inserted into the insertion cavity. During the insertion process, the stop protrusion on the first drive screw abuts against the stop spring in the stop groove, causing the stop spring to deform. After the insertion is in place, the stop protrusion and the stop spring stop. When the first drive screw returns to its original position, it can drive the piston body to return to its original position as well.

[0025] In some embodiments, the piston body is integrally formed with the first drive screw; or... The piston body is sleeved on the first driving screw, the end face of the first driving screw is formed with a first spherical surface, and the inner wall of the piston body is formed with a second spherical surface, the first spherical surface and the second spherical surface forming a spherical fit; or, The piston body is connected to the first drive screw via a ball joint.

[0026] Among these advantages, the one-piece molding method facilitates processing and forming. Secondly, whether using the two spherical surfaces or the ball joint, the purpose is to ensure that when the brake pads wear unevenly, the piston body can be offset at a certain angle, allowing the piston body to apply braking force vertically to the brake pads.

[0027] In some embodiments, the piston assembly further includes a positioning bearing that sleeves the first drive nut and is located between the first drive nut and the caliper body.

[0028] By setting this positioning bearing, the first drive nut can be radially positioned, preventing it from wobbling in the radial direction and reducing wear on the first drive nut.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first worm gear is sleeved and connected to the first drive nut and integrally formed with the first drive nut.

[0030] The one-piece molding method facilitates the transmission between the first worm gear and the first drive nut, and also makes it easier to process and shape.

[0031] In some embodiments, the piston assembly includes a second lead screw and nut assembly, the second lead screw and nut assembly including a second drive screw and a second drive nut; The second drive screw extends along the first direction and is axially locked and rotatably mounted on the caliper body; the transmission part is connected to the second drive screw in a transmission manner. The second drive nut is circumferentially locked and axially movable on the second drive screw, and the second drive nut is used to abut against and drive the brake pad to move.

[0032] In this assembly, the second drive screw of the second lead screw nut is connected to the transmission unit. When the second drive screw rotates, the second drive nut moves in the first direction to abut against and drive the brake pads to move. This achieves braking while also transmitting power.

[0033] In some embodiments, the caliper body includes a body frame and a body shell connected to each other; The brake pads are movably disposed on the main body frame along the first direction; The drive unit is disposed on the outer wall of the body shell, and at least a portion of the transmission unit and the piston assembly are disposed inside the body shell.

[0034] By housing at least a portion of the transmission unit and piston assembly within the main body housing, the housing provides effective protection. Furthermore, the drive unit is located on the outer wall of the main body housing, effectively utilizing the external space of the housing and enabling efficient installation within the housing itself.

[0035] In some embodiments, the body shell has a shell opening, and an opening plate is provided at the shell opening. The opening plate is detachably connected to the body shell and is used to seal the shell opening.

[0036] Before assembling the first worm between the two first worm wheels, the preload force of the first worm wheel can be finely adjusted through the opening in the housing to bring the preload force of the two first worm wheels into a suitable range. Then, the first worm is assembled so that the magnitude of the force of the first worm driving the first worm wheel can be synchronized after they mesh simultaneously.

[0037] In some embodiments, the body frame includes at least two frame arms that extend along the first direction, and two adjacent frame arms are provided with a hollowed-out groove at a distance in the second direction, and the driving part is at least partially located in the hollowed-out groove; wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting.

[0038] In this design, two adjacent frame arms are spaced apart by slots in the second direction. These slots facilitate weight reduction in the main frame design, which in turn benefits the lightweight design of the brake calipers. Furthermore, by placing at least part of the drive unit within the slots, the space within the slots can be effectively utilized, improving the compactness of the brake caliper design.

[0039] In some embodiments, an adapter board is also included; The adapter plate is movably disposed on the caliper body along the first direction and is disposed between the brake pad and the piston assembly; The area where the adapter plate abuts against the brake pad is the first area, and the area where the two piston assemblies abut against the adapter plate is the second area, wherein the first area is larger than the second area.

[0040] Since the first area is larger than the second area, the portion of the adapter plate that contacts the brake pad has a larger surface area. This helps to distribute the pressure applied by the piston assembly more evenly on the brake pad, thereby reducing wear or damage caused by excessive local pressure and improving the durability and reliability of the braking system.

[0041] Furthermore, a larger contact area means that braking force can be transmitted more effectively during braking, resulting in more stable and reliable braking performance. Especially in emergency braking situations, a uniform pressure distribution helps ensure that the vehicle can stop quickly and safely.

[0042] In some embodiments, the adapter plate includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other in the first direction; The first side recess has two grooves, each corresponding to a piston assembly, and the grooves are for the corresponding piston assemblies to be inserted. The first side is fixedly connected to the piston assembly, or the second side is fixedly connected to the brake pad.

[0043] The groove is designed for the insertion of the piston assembly, which allows the piston assembly to be accurately positioned on the adapter plate, thus maintaining consistency and stability, and also helps to reduce installation errors.

[0044] In some embodiments, the piston body of the piston assembly has a first plane formed at its end, and the inner wall of the groove has a second plane formed, the first plane being used to abut against the second plane; and / or, The piston body of the piston assembly has a first arcuate surface at its end, and the inner wall of the groove has a second arcuate surface. The first arcuate surface is used to abut against the second arcuate surface.

[0045] The design of the first plane for contact with the second plane ensures a more secure and precise connection between the piston body and the adapter plate. This plane-to-plane contact not only provides a larger contact area but also distributes stress, reduces localized wear, and extends overall lifespan. And / or, by employing a first arc-shaped surface for contact with the second arc-shaped surface, the issue of uneven parallelism between the two piston assemblies can be effectively overcome.

[0046] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a braking system is also provided, the braking system including the aforementioned brake caliper.

[0047] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, the vehicle including the said brake caliper or the said braking system.

[0048] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure can include the following beneficial effects: By setting two piston assemblies, the braking force can be evenly distributed, reducing brake pad wear and accommodating larger brake pad areas, thereby improving the braking capacity and efficiency of the brake caliper. Secondly, for the brake caliper of this disclosure, the drive unit in the drive module is set to one, eliminating the need for redundant multiple drive units, facilitating the driving of two piston assemblies, simplifying the structural layout and reducing the number of parts, which is beneficial for simplifying the structure of the brake caliper. In addition, the electromechanical braking method, compared with the hydraulic system of transmission, reduces the risk of fluid leakage and improves the reliability of braking and the convenience of maintenance.

[0049] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0050] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the opening plate is not shown in the figure.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a brake caliper according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0054] Figure 4This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a piston assembly of a brake caliper according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein a first worm gear is also shown in the figure.

[0055] Figure 5 This is an exploded structural schematic diagram of a piston assembly of a brake caliper according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein a first worm gear is also shown in the figure.

[0056] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a brake caliper structure according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first worm gear in the figure is connected to the first drive nut in a transmission connection.

[0057] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a brake caliper structure according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first worm gear in the figure is connected to the second drive screw.

[0058] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the engagement of a brake caliper piston body, an adapter plate, and brake pads according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein a first plane and a second plane are shown in the diagram.

[0059] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the engagement of a brake caliper piston body, an adapter plate, and brake pads according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface are shown in the diagram.

[0060] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. Caliper body; 10. Piston chamber; 11. Body frame; 111. Frame bridge arm; 112. Cutout groove; 12. Body shell; 120. Shell opening; 1201. Opening plate; 2. Brake pads; 21. Brake pad body; 22. Metal backing plate; 3. Drive module; 31. Drive unit; 311. Drive motor; 32. Transmission unit; 321. First worm gear; 322. First worm wheel; 33. Piston assembly; 332. First drive screw; 333. First drive nut; 334. Limiting component; 3341. First limiting part; 3342. Second limiting part; 335. Thrust bearing; 336. Piston body; 3363. First plane; 3364. Second plane; 3365. First arc-shaped surface; 3366. Second arc-shaped surface; 337. Positioning bearing; 338. Second drive screw; 339. Second drive nut; 34. Adapter plate; 341. First side surface; 3410. Groove; 342. Second side surface; 1000, Brake disc; A. First direction; B. Second direction; C. Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0062] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of a specific structure; directional terms such as "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" refer to three directions that intersect in pairs. Specifically, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction can be arranged perpendicularly to each other in pairs, as detailed in the following reference. Figure 1 As shown; the terms used, such as "first" and "second", are only used to distinguish one element from another and do not indicate any order or importance.

[0063] Reference Figures 1 to 9 As shown, this disclosure provides a brake caliper, which includes: a caliper body 1; a brake pad 2 movably disposed on the caliper body 1 along a first direction A; and a drive module 3 disposed on the caliper body 1. The drive module 3 includes a drive unit 31, a transmission unit 32, and two piston assemblies 33. The piston assemblies 33 are movably disposed on the caliper body 1 along the first direction A. The drive unit 31 is driven to the transmission unit 32, and the transmission unit 32 is driven to the two piston assemblies 33, driving the two piston assemblies 33 to move along the first direction A, abutting against and driving the brake pad 2 to move.

[0064] In the above technical solution, firstly, by setting two piston assemblies 33, the braking force is evenly distributed, reducing the wear of the brake pads 2 and accommodating larger brake pads 2, thereby improving the braking capacity and efficiency of the brake caliper. Secondly, for the brake caliper of this disclosure, the drive unit 31 in the drive module 3 is set to one, eliminating the need for redundant multiple drive units 31. This facilitates the driving of the two piston assemblies 33, resulting in a simple structural layout and fewer parts, which is beneficial for simplifying the structure of the brake caliper.

[0065] Optionally, the aforementioned brake caliper can adopt an electromechanical braking method, that is, the brake caliper is constructed as an electromechanical brake caliper, which reduces the risk of fluid leakage and improves the reliability of braking and the convenience of maintenance compared to the transmission hydraulic system.

[0066] In one implementation, reference Figure 3As shown, the drive unit 31 includes a drive motor 311, and the transmission unit 32 includes a first worm 321 and two first worm wheels 322; the first worm 321 is drivenly connected to the drive motor 311; one of the first worm wheels 322 is drivenly connected to the first worm 321 and is also drivenly connected to one of the piston assemblies 33; the other first worm wheel 322 is drivenly connected to the first worm 321 and is also drivenly connected to the other piston assembly 33.

[0067] In this embodiment, when the drive motor 311 rotates, the first worm gear 321, which is connected to the drive motor 311, also rotates. When the first worm gear 321 rotates, the two first worm wheels 322 rotate synchronously and drive the two piston assemblies 33 to move, thereby pushing the brake pads 2 to move and achieving braking.

[0068] Among them, the two piston assemblies 33 can be adapted to brake pads 2 with a larger area. Under the same braking conditions, the braking energy shared by the brake pads 2 per unit area is lower, and the overall brake caliper has better heat fading resistance.

[0069] Furthermore, the transmission method of the first worm 321 and the first worm wheel 322 can achieve a large reduction ratio, realizing the purpose of speed reduction and torque increase, without the need for too many reduction mechanisms, resulting in fewer parts and a simplified structural layout. In addition, compared with gear transmission, the worm gear transmission method has lower operating noise, which can effectively improve NVH performance during braking.

[0070] In one embodiment, reference is made to... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the piston assembly 33 includes a first lead screw and nut assembly, which includes a first drive screw 332 and a first drive nut 333. The first drive nut 333 is axially locked and circumferentially rotatable on the caliper body 1, and the first worm gear 322 is connected to the first drive nut 333 in a transmission connection. The first drive screw 332 extends along the first direction A and is axially movable and circumferentially locked through and connected to the first drive nut 333. The first drive screw 332 is used to abut against and drive the brake pad 2 to move.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first drive nut 333 is connected to the first worm gear 322. When the first worm gear 322 rotates, the first drive nut 333 also rotates, thereby driving the first drive screw 332, which is connected to the drive, to move along the first direction A. The first drive screw 332 can abut against the brake pad 2, thereby driving the brake pad 2 to move along the first direction A.

[0072] The lead screw and nut assembly typically possesses high linear positioning accuracy, enabling adjustments at a higher level of precision. Therefore, when the brake caliper is in use, it can precisely control the position of the brake pads 2, resulting in a more accurate and stable braking effect. Furthermore, the lead screw and nut assembly's transmission method produces lower noise, effectively improving NVH performance during braking. However, this disclosure does not limit the specific structural form of the piston assembly 33.

[0073] In another embodiment, refer to Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the piston assembly 33 also includes a limiting member 334, which is fixed to the caliper body 1. The limiting member 334 includes a first limiting part 3341 and a second limiting part 3342 connected to each other. The first limiting part 3341 is used to limit the movement of the first drive nut 333 along the first direction A, and the second limiting part 3342 is used to limit the rotation of the first drive screw 332.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the first drive nut 333 drives the first drive screw 332 to move toward the brake pad 2, the first drive nut 333 is subjected to a force in the opposite direction of the first direction A. By providing a limiting member 334, and the first limiting portion 3341 of the limiting member 334 can effectively limit the movement of the first drive nut 333 in the first direction A.

[0075] Secondly, the second limiting portion 3342 of the limiting member 334 can restrict the rotation of the first driving screw 332, ensuring that the first driving screw 332 moves effectively. The first limiting portion 3341 and the second limiting portion 3342 can be constructed in any suitable shape and structure; this disclosure does not limit them, as long as they can perform their respective limiting functions.

[0076] Optionally, refer to Figure 5 As shown, the piston assembly 33 also includes a thrust bearing 335. The first limiting part 3341 is disposed on the side of the first drive nut 333 away from the brake pad 2 along the first direction A, and the thrust bearing 335 is disposed between the first limiting part 3341 and the first drive nut 333.

[0077] In this embodiment, by providing a thrust bearing 335 between the first limiting part 3341 and the first driving nut 333, the thrust bearing 335 can effectively bear the load of the first driving nut 333 in the first direction A and can transmit the load to the first limiting part 3341.

[0078] Optionally, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the first drive screw 332 has a limiting groove extending along the first direction A, and the second limiting part 3342 includes a limiting rod extending along the first direction A; the limiting groove is movably sleeved on the limiting rod along the first direction A, and the limiting groove can be circumferentially locked with the limiting rod to restrict the rotation of the first drive screw 332.

[0079] In this embodiment, the rotation of the first drive screw 332 is restricted by the circumferential locking engagement of the limiting groove and the limiting rod; wherein, the cross-section of the limiting groove and the limiting rod can be a non-circular cross-section, thereby restricting the relative rotation between them. For example, the cross-section of the limiting groove and the limiting rod can be rectangular, or the cross-section of the limiting groove and the limiting rod can be triangular, and this disclosure does not limit it in this way.

[0080] In another embodiment, the piston assembly 33 further includes a force sensor, which is arranged on the side of the first limiting portion 3341 away from the first drive nut 333 along the first direction A. The force sensor detects a force that corresponds to the clamping force of the corresponding piston assembly 33. By summing the clamping force values ​​of each piston assembly 33, the total clamping force of the brake caliper can be obtained, thus enabling monitoring of the brake caliper's clamping force.

[0081] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the piston assembly 33 also includes a piston body 336, which is connected to the first drive screw 332 and is used to abut against the brake pad 2.

[0082] By designing the piston body 336, better contact with the brake pad 2 can be achieved. Simultaneously, it protects the first drive screw 332 from direct wear and acts as a buffer zone between the first drive screw 332 and the brake pad 2, thereby extending the service life of the first drive screw 332.

[0083] In addition, the piston body 336 can provide a larger contact surface relative to the first drive screw 332 so that the thrust of the first drive screw 332 can be evenly distributed to the brake pad 2, thereby ensuring that the brake pad 2 can smoothly contact the braking surface and achieve an effective braking effect.

[0084] Furthermore, since the piston body 336 is in direct contact with the brake pad 2, its shape and material selection can be optimized according to actual braking requirements to ensure stable performance under different temperature and pressure conditions, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0085] In other embodiments, the outer wall of the first drive screw 332 is provided with a stop protrusion (not shown), the piston body 336 has an insertion cavity (not shown) inside, and the inner wall of the insertion cavity is recessed with a stop groove (not shown), and a stop retaining spring (not shown) is provided in the stop groove; wherein, the first drive screw 332 is used to be inserted into the insertion cavity, and the stop protrusion is used to abut against the stop retaining spring.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first drive screw 332 is inserted into the insertion cavity. During insertion, the stop protrusion on the first drive screw 332 abuts against the stop spring in the stop groove, causing the stop spring to deform. After insertion, the stop protrusion and the stop spring stop. When the first drive screw 332 returns to its original position, it can drive the piston body 336 to return to its original position as well. However, this disclosure does not limit the form of cooperation between the first drive screw 332 and the piston body 336.

[0087] Optionally, the piston body 336 can be integrally formed with the first drive screw 332 to improve the convenience of forming.

[0088] Regarding the selection of the connection method between the piston body 336 and the first drive screw 332, this disclosure provides the following connection methods: 1) The diameter of the piston body 336 is larger than the diameter of the first drive screw 332. The piston body 336 is sleeved on the first drive screw 332 and the two form an interference fit. The end face of the first drive screw 332 forms a first spherical surface, and the inner wall of the piston body 336 forms a second spherical surface. The first spherical surface and the second spherical surface form a spherical fit.

[0089] 2) The diameter of the piston body 336 is larger than the diameter of the first drive screw 332. The piston body 336 is sleeved on the first drive screw 332, and the two are detachably connected by snap-fit ​​or threaded connection. The end face of the first drive screw 332 forms a first spherical surface, and the inner wall of the piston body 336 forms a second spherical surface. The first spherical surface and the second spherical surface form a spherical fit.

[0090] 3) The diameter of the piston body 336 can be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first drive screw 332. The piston body 336 is not sleeved on the first drive screw 332, but is arranged side by side. The piston body 336 and the first drive screw 332 are connected by a ball joint.

[0091] It should be noted that, in the above three connection methods, whether the piston body 336 and the first drive screw 332 adopt the form of two spherical surfaces or the form of ball joint, the purpose is to solve the problem that when the brake pad 2 is worn unevenly, the piston body 336 can be offset at a certain angle so that the piston body 336 can apply braking force to the brake pad 2 vertically.

[0092] Optionally, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the piston assembly 33 also includes a positioning bearing 337, which is fitted onto the first drive nut 333 and is located between the first drive nut 333 and the caliper body 1. By providing this positioning bearing 337, the first drive nut 333 can be radially positioned, preventing radial wobbling of the first drive nut 333 and reducing wear on the first drive nut 333.

[0093] Optionally, the first worm gear 322 is sleeved and connected to the first drive nut 333 and integrally formed with the first drive nut 333. This facilitates the transmission between the first worm gear 322 and the first drive nut 333 and is also easy to process and form. In other embodiments, the first worm gear 322 and the first drive nut 333 can also be connected by a spline or other connecting key, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0094] Reference Figure 7 As shown, the piston assembly 33 includes a second lead screw and nut assembly, which includes a second drive screw 338 and a second drive nut 339. The second drive screw 338 extends along a first direction A and is axially locked and circumferentially rotatable on the caliper body 1. The first worm gear 322 is connected to the second drive screw 338. The second drive nut 339 is circumferentially locked and axially movable on the second drive screw 338, and the second drive nut 339 is used to abut against and drive the brake pad 2 to move.

[0095] That is, in this embodiment, the second drive screw 338 of the second lead screw nut assembly is connected to the first worm gear 322. When the second drive screw 338 rotates, the second drive nut 339 moves along the first direction A to abut against and drive the brake pad 2 to move. This achieves braking and also enables power transmission.

[0096] Regarding the connection between the first worm gear 322 and the second drive screw 338, a connecting groove can be formed on the second drive screw 338, and a connecting rod can be provided on the first worm gear 322. The connecting rod is arranged protrudingly at the center of the first worm gear 322 and is circumferentially locked into the connecting groove, thereby realizing the transmission of power between the first worm gear 322 and the second drive screw 338. However, this disclosure does not limit the specific connection method between the first worm gear 322 and the second drive screw 338.

[0097] In addition, the piston body 336 described above can be sleeved on the outside of the second drive nut 339, and the piston body 336 is used to abut against the brake pad 2.

[0098] In one embodiment, reference is made to... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the caliper body 1 includes a body frame 11 and a body shell 12 connected to each other; the brake pad 2 is movably disposed on the body frame 11 along a first direction A; the drive unit 31 is disposed on the outer wall of the body shell 12, and at least a portion of the transmission unit 32 and the piston assembly 33 are disposed inside the body shell 12.

[0099] In this embodiment, by housing at least a portion of the transmission unit 32 and the piston assembly 33 within the body housing 12, the body housing 12 provides effective protection. Furthermore, the drive unit 31 is disposed on the outer wall of the body housing 12, effectively utilizing the external space of the body housing 12 and enabling efficient installation within the body housing 12. The first worm gear 321 can extend along a third direction C, which is perpendicular to the second direction B and also perpendicular to the first direction A. The body frame 11 can be constructed in any suitable shape and structure, and this disclosure does not limit its application.

[0100] In another embodiment, reference is made to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main body shell 12 has a shell opening 120, and an opening plate 1201 is provided at the shell opening 120. The opening plate 1201 is detachably connected to the main body shell 12 and is used to seal the shell opening 120.

[0101] In this embodiment, before assembling the first worm 321 between the two first worm wheels 322, the preload force of the first worm wheel 322 can be finely adjusted through the housing opening 120 to bring the preload force of the two first worm wheels 322 into a suitable range. Then, the first worm 321 is assembled so that the magnitude of the force of the first worm 321 driving the first worm wheel 322 can be synchronized after simultaneous meshing. After assembly, the opening plate 1201 is connected to the main body shell 12 to seal the housing opening 120.

[0102] Optionally, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main body frame 11 includes at least two frame arms 111, which extend along a first direction A, and two adjacent frame arms 111 are provided with a hollowed-out groove 112 at intervals in a second direction B. The driving part 31 is at least partially located in the hollowed-out groove 112; wherein the first direction A and the second direction B are intersecting.

[0103] In this embodiment, firstly, two adjacent frame arms 111 are provided with perforated slots 112 at intervals in the second direction B. By providing perforated slots 112, the weight reduction design of the main frame 11 is facilitated, and the lightweight design of the main frame 11 is also beneficial to the lightweight design of the brake caliper. Secondly, by placing the drive unit 31 at least partially within the perforated slot 112, the arrangement space within the perforated slot 112 can be effectively utilized, which is beneficial to improving the compact design of the brake caliper.

[0104] Optionally, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, it also includes an adapter plate 34; the adapter plate 34 is movably disposed on the caliper body 1 along the first direction A and disposed between the brake pad 2 and the piston assembly 33; wherein, the area of ​​the adapter plate 34 abutting with the brake pad 2 is the first area, and the area of ​​the two piston assemblies 33 abutting with the adapter plate 34 is the second area, and the first area is larger than the second area.

[0105] In this embodiment, since the first area is larger than the second area, this means that the portion of the adapter plate 34 that contacts the brake pad 2 has a larger surface area. This helps to distribute the pressure applied by the piston assembly 33 more evenly on the brake pad 2, thereby reducing wear or damage caused by excessive local pressure and improving the durability and reliability of the braking system.

[0106] Furthermore, a larger contact area means that braking force can be transmitted more effectively during braking, resulting in more stable and reliable braking performance. Especially in emergency braking situations, a uniform pressure distribution helps ensure that the vehicle can stop quickly and safely.

[0107] In one implementation, reference is made to Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the adapter plate 34 includes a first side 341 and a second side 342 disposed opposite to each other in the first direction A; the first side 341 is recessed with two grooves 3410, the grooves 3410 are disposed one-to-one with the piston assembly 33, and the grooves 3410 are for the corresponding piston assembly 33 to be inserted; wherein, the first side 341 is fixedly connected to the piston assembly 33, or the second side 342 is fixedly connected to the brake pad 2.

[0108] In this embodiment, the groove 3410 is used for the insertion of the piston assembly 33. This design allows the piston assembly 33 to be accurately positioned on the adapter plate 34, thereby maintaining consistency and stability, and also helps to reduce installation errors.

[0109] In another embodiment, refer to Figure 8 As shown, the piston body 336 of the piston assembly 33 has a first plane 3363 formed at its end, and the inner wall of the groove 3410 has a second plane 3364 formed thereon. The first plane 3363 is used to abut against the second plane 3364.

[0110] In this embodiment, the design of the first plane 3363 and the second plane 3364 ensures a more secure and precise contact between the piston body 336 and the adapter plate 34. This plane-to-plane contact not only provides a larger contact area but also distributes stress, reduces localized wear, and extends overall lifespan.

[0111] In other implementations, refer to Figure 9 As shown, the piston body 336 of the piston assembly 33 has a first arcuate surface 3365 at its end, and the inner wall of the groove 3410 has a second arcuate surface 3366. The first arcuate surface 3365 is used to abut against the second arcuate surface 3366.

[0112] By using a first arc-shaped surface 3365 to abut against a second arc-shaped surface 3366, the problem of low parallelism between the two piston assemblies can be effectively overcome.

[0113] Specifically, the curved surface design provides a larger contact area, ensuring proper guidance of the piston assembly 33 even if the parallelism between the piston body 336 and the adapter plate 34 is not high. The curved surface can provide multi-point contact, maintaining stable contact even if one point deviates from the ideal position.

[0114] In addition, the contact between the first arc-shaped surface 3365 and the second arc-shaped surface 3366 allows for a certain range of angular deviation, so that even if there are minor errors in the assembly or manufacturing process, the piston assembly 33 can still work smoothly and reduce wear caused by poor parallelism.

[0115] In addition, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, in one embodiment, the adapter plate 34 can be connected to the brake pad 2. The brake pad 2 may include a brake pad body 21 and a metal backing plate 22, with the metal backing plate 22 connected to the brake pad body 21 and the adapter plate 34 connected to the metal backing plate 22.

[0116] This disclosure also provides a braking system including the aforementioned brake calipers. For example, the braking system may further include a controller electrically connected to the drive unit 31 to improve response speed.

[0117] In this disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, which includes the above-described brake calipers or the above-described braking system.

[0118] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of this disclosure. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0119] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A brake caliper, characterized in that, The brake caliper includes: Caliper body; Brake pads are movably disposed on the caliper body along a first direction; The drive module is disposed on the caliper body; The drive module includes a drive unit, a transmission unit, and two piston assemblies, the piston assemblies being movably disposed on the caliper body along the first direction; The drive unit is connected to the transmission unit, and the transmission unit is connected to the two piston assemblies, driving the two piston assemblies to move along the first direction, abutting against and driving the brake pads to move.

2. The brake caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit includes a drive motor, and the transmission unit includes a first worm and two first worm wheels; The first worm gear is connected to the drive motor in a transmission connection; One of the first worm gears is drivenly connected to the first worm gear and is also drivenly connected to one of the piston assemblies; Another of the first worm gears is drivenly connected to the first worm gear and is drivenly connected to another of the piston assemblies.

3. The brake caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston assembly includes a first lead screw and nut assembly, which includes a first drive screw and a first drive nut. The first drive nut is axially locked and circumferentially rotatable on the caliper body, and the transmission part is pulsatorically connected to the first drive nut; The first drive screw extends along the first direction and is axially movable and circumferentially locked through and connected to the first drive nut, and the first drive screw is used to abut against and drive the brake pad to move.

4. The brake caliper according to claim 3, characterized in that, The piston assembly also includes a limiting member, which is fixed to the caliper body; The limiting component includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part connected to each other. The first limiting part is used to limit the movement of the first driving nut along the first direction, and the second limiting part is used to limit the rotation of the first driving screw.

5. The brake caliper according to claim 4, characterized in that, The piston assembly further includes a thrust bearing, the first limiting portion is disposed on the side of the first drive nut away from the brake pad along the first direction, and the thrust bearing is disposed between the first limiting portion and the first drive nut.

6. The brake caliper according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first drive screw has a limiting groove extending along the first direction, and the second limiting part includes a limiting rod extending along the first direction; The limiting groove is movably sleeved on the limiting rod along the first direction, and the limiting groove can be circumferentially locked with the limiting rod to restrict the rotation of the first driving screw.

7. The brake caliper according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cross-sectional structure of the limiting rod and the limiting groove is a non-circular cross-section.

8. The brake caliper according to claim 4, characterized in that, The piston assembly further includes a force sensor, which is disposed on the side of the first limiting portion away from the first drive nut along the first direction.

9. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that, The piston assembly further includes a piston body connected to the first drive screw and used to abut against the brake pad.

10. The brake caliper according to claim 9, characterized in that, The outer wall of the first drive screw is provided with a stop protrusion, the piston body has an insertion cavity formed inside, and the inner wall of the insertion cavity is recessed with a stop groove, and a stop retaining spring is provided in the stop groove. The first drive screw is used to be inserted into the insertion cavity, and the stop protrusion is used to abut against the stop snap ring.

11. The brake caliper according to claim 9, characterized in that, The piston body is integrally formed with the first drive screw; or... The piston body is sleeved on the first driving screw, the end face of the first driving screw is formed with a first spherical surface, and the inner wall of the piston body is formed with a second spherical surface, the first spherical surface and the second spherical surface forming a spherical fit; or, The piston body is connected to the first drive screw via a ball joint.

12. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that, The piston assembly further includes a positioning bearing, which is fitted over the first drive nut and is located between the first drive nut and the caliper body.

13. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that, The first worm gear is sleeved and connected to the first drive nut, and is integrally formed with the first drive nut.

14. The brake caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston assembly includes a second lead screw and nut assembly, which includes a second drive screw and a second drive nut. The second drive screw extends along the first direction and is axially locked and rotatably mounted on the caliper body; the transmission part is connected to the second drive screw in a transmission manner. The second drive nut is circumferentially locked and axially movable on the second drive screw, and the second drive nut is used to abut against and drive the brake pad to move.

15. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The caliper body includes an interconnected body frame and a body shell; The brake pads are movably disposed on the main body frame along the first direction; The drive unit is disposed on the outer wall of the body shell, and at least a portion of the transmission unit and the piston assembly are disposed inside the body shell.

16. The brake caliper according to claim 15, characterized in that, The main body shell has an opening, and an opening plate is provided at the opening. The opening plate is detachably connected to the main body shell and is used to seal the opening.

17. The brake caliper according to claim 15, characterized in that, The main body frame includes at least two frame arms, which extend along the first direction, and adjacent two frame arms are provided with a hollowed-out groove in the second direction. The driving part is at least partially located in the hollowed-out groove; wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting.

18. The brake caliper according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It also includes an adapter board; The adapter plate is movably disposed on the caliper body along the first direction and is disposed between the brake pad and the piston assembly; The area where the adapter plate abuts against the brake pad is the first area, and the area where the two piston assemblies abut against the adapter plate is the second area, wherein the first area is larger than the second area.

19. The brake caliper according to claim 18, characterized in that, The adapter plate includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other in the first direction. The first side recess has two grooves, each corresponding to a piston assembly, and the grooves are for the corresponding piston assemblies to be inserted. The first side is fixedly connected to the piston assembly, or the second side is fixedly connected to the brake pad.

20. The brake caliper according to claim 19, characterized in that, The piston body of the piston assembly has a first plane formed at its end, and the inner wall of the groove has a second plane formed thereon, the first plane being used to abut against the second plane; and / or, The piston body of the piston assembly has a first arc-shaped surface at its end, and the inner wall of the groove has a second arc-shaped surface. The first arc-shaped surface is used to abut against the second arc-shaped surface.

21. A braking system, characterized in that, The braking system includes the brake caliper according to any one of claims 1-20.

22. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the brake calipers of any one of claims 1-20 or the braking system of claim 21.

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