Disc brakes for a commercial vehicle

Abstract

Disc brake for a commercial vehicle, with a clamping device (4) positioned in a brake caliper (1), which has a brake lever (5) which is pivotably mounted in the brake caliper (1) by means of at least one arc-shaped rolling bearing (7), wherein the rolling bearing (7) has an outer shell (11) and a plurality of adjacent rolling rollers (13) which bear against the concave inner surface (15) of the outer shell (11) and which are held in a cage (12) which is pivotable to a limited extent relative to the outer shell (11), wherein the cage (12) and the outer shell (11) are positively connected to each other, characterized in that the cage (12) has at least one window cutout (19) on each of its opposing curved longitudinal edges (18), into which a projection (16) provided on the associated edge (14) of the outer shell (11) engages.wherein each window opening (19) is designed as an open recess towards the concave side of the cage (12) and is bounded on the opposite side in the convex edge region by a web (20) that is elastically deformable in the direction of the rollers (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a disc brake for a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In such a disc brake, the clamping device is pneumatically actuated, meaning the clamping force is generated via a pneumatically actuated brake cylinder that is in operative connection with the brake lever. In principle, the clamping force can also be applied hydraulically or electromechanically.

[0003] In order to achieve sufficient braking force acting on the brake disc, the brake lever serves as a mechanical transmission, whereby on the one hand an eccentric formed at the end of the brake lever is slidably supported on a bearing seat of the brake caliper, while on the other hand the brake lever rests against a movable bridge.

[0004] When the brake lever is pivoted, the eccentric slides along an arc-shaped path of the bearing seat, shifting the bridge towards a brake disc.

[0005] To minimize friction between the eccentric and the bearing seat, roller bearings in the form of needle roller or cylindrical roller bearings are provided between the two.

[0006] Such a rolling roller bearing is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2004 031 792 A1. The cage of the rolling roller bearing shown therein is provided with recesses in which needles are held. The needles and the cage form a single unit that is pre-assembled and ready for installation in the brake caliper. The same applies to the outer shell, which is laterally covered by raised edges of the cage. For this purpose, recesses are provided in the edge regions of the outer shell, into which the shorter raised edges of the cage engage, thus limiting the pivoting range of the cage relative to the outer shell.

[0007] However, problems arise when a so-called full complement needle bearing is used, which is characterized by an optimized load-bearing capacity due to the maximum possible number of needles and in which the needles lie against each other on the outer surface.

[0008] However, the assembly of such a rolling bearing is very problematic, as the cage is only suitable for guiding the needles when the cage pivots, without holding them in every direction, so that prefabrication in the sense of manufacturing a component consisting of cage and needles is not possible.

[0009] In DE 10 2005 034 739 A1, it is therefore proposed to position the cage and needles of a full complement needle roller bearing between the outer shell and an inner shell, with both being connected to each other, so that the roller bearing, completed in this respect, is available as a pre-assembled unit.

[0010] However, this design is considered disadvantageous for several reasons. The most significant drawback is the relatively high manufacturing cost, which considerably increases the product's price and thus hinders the constantly sought-after cost optimization.

[0011] This also applies to the increased material usage resulting from the provision of the inner shell.

[0012] Rolling bearings of this type are known from EP 2 312 173 A1, JP 2003- 206 933 A, JP 2010- 096 196 A and EP 2 511 560 A1.

[0013] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a disc brake of the generic type in such a way that it is easier and more cost-effective to manufacture and that at least one rolling bearing arranged therein can be easily mounted.

[0014] This problem is solved by a disc brake having the features of claim 1.

[0015] Due to the constructive design of the rolling bearing according to the invention, its pre-assembly is possible, whereby the rolling rollers, in particular the needles, are securely held in every direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the new rolling bearing is also characterized by the fact that it can be realized with low manufacturing effort and material usage, the latter being particularly due to the fact that the use of an inner shell known from the previously described prior art can be dispensed with, as well as with other separate components.

[0017] The cage as well as the outer shell can be manufactured using simple, uncomplicated manufacturing processes, for example by bending and / or forming, or the cage as a plastic injection molded part, which naturally leads to cost-effective production.

[0018] The installation of the roller bearing in the brake caliper is also extremely simple and can be accomplished with little effort and in a short time.

[0019] This is remarkable because such rolling bearings are used in large quantities.

[0020] According to the invention, the cage has at least one window opening on each of its opposing curved longitudinal edges, into which a projection provided on the corresponding edge of the outer shell engages. The projection, in conjunction with the window opening, limits the pivoting path of the cage; that is, the projection forms a stop in both pivoting directions.

[0021] To facilitate assembly, i.e., to connect the cage to the outer shell, a rib is formed in the outer edge area of ​​the window opening facing the outer shell, which is elastically deformable in the direction of the rollers, so that the projection can pass over this rib when the outer shell is attached, under deformation which returns after the projection snaps into the window opening.

[0022] Preferably, the outer shell has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the two opposing legs forming the angled longitudinal edges partially overlap the associated longitudinal edges of the cage in a radial direction with minimal clearance, so that the cage can pivot freely relative to the outer shell.

[0023] Furthermore, the window opening can be designed as an open opening or merely as a recess, i.e., as a depression with a closed bottom.

[0024] The latter offers greater stability of the longitudinal edge compared to an open opening, as the longitudinal edge is part of the fully enclosed frame in the cage.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1. A schematic diagram of a disc brake in cross-section Fig. 2 a rolling bearing according to the invention as a detail in an exploded view Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The rolling bearing in different functional positions in perspective view. Fig. 5. The rolling bearing in a top view Fig. 6 a section through the rolling bearing according to XX after Fig. 5.

[0028] In the Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a disc brake for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, shown in a half-section, which has a brake disc 2 that is attached to an axle of the commercial vehicle (not shown) and is engaged by a brake caliper 1 that can be moved in the direction of the brake disc 2.

[0029] A clamping device 4 is arranged in the brake caliper 1, with which brake pads 3 can be pressed against the brake disc 2 when braking is triggered via a preferably pneumatically actuated brake cylinder 10.

[0030] For this purpose, the clamping device 4 engages two adjusting spindles (not shown) arranged parallel and at a distance from each other in a bridge 8.

[0031] The clamping device 4 has a brake lever 5 which is in operative connection with the brake cylinder 10 and, when actuated, is pivotable in the direction of the brake disc 2 about a roller 9 which runs parallel to the plane of the brake disc 2 and is mounted in the bridge 8.

[0032] The brake caliper 1 has circular arc-shaped rolling bearings 7 on which the brake lever 5, designed as an eccentric 6 in this area, is supported.

[0033] Such a circular arc-shaped rolling bearing 7 is in the Fig. 2-6 is shown in detail. In this example, the rolling bearing 7 is designed as a full complement needle roller bearing, with an outer shell 11 and a plurality of rolling rollers 13 lying against each other on the outer shell side, ( Fig. 6) here in the form of needles arranged transversely to the pivoting direction of the brake lever 5 and supported on the concave inner surface 15 of the outer shell 11.

[0034] The rollers 13 are held in a cage 12, which has a circumferential frame with two opposing longitudinal edges 18 and struts 17 oriented in the same direction as the rollers 13, connecting the two longitudinal edges and lying in a wedge 21 formed between each pair of rollers 13, which is particularly evident in the Fig. 6 is recognizable.

[0035] The cage 12 with the held rollers 13 is connected to the outer shell 11 in a form-fitting manner with limited pivoting capability.

[0036] For this purpose, the cage 12 has window openings 19 on the outside of its two opposing longitudinal edges 18, into which, as in particular the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 reproduce, engage at angled projections 16 formed on the outer shell 11, which are associated with the longitudinal edges 18 of the cage 12, and which form a limit for the predetermined pivoting of the cage 12.

[0037] The respective end position after a pivoting of the cage 12 is described in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown, where the Fig. 3 an upper end position of the cage 12 and the Fig. 4 represents a lower end position.

[0038] Furthermore, it can also be seen from the Fig. 5, that the edges 14 of the outer shell 11 radially partially overlap the longitudinal edges 18 of the cage 12 in the convexly curved edge region, i.e., the outer shell 11 is U-shaped in cross-section.

[0039] The window opening 19 is designed as a recess open towards the concave side of the cage 12 and is bounded on the opposite side, i.e. in the convex edge area, by a web 20 which runs according to the convex edge area.

[0040] This web 20 is elastically deformable to such an extent that, during assembly of the rolling bearing 7, the projection 16 can easily pass over the web 20, and subsequently return the web 20 to its original position due to its elasticity.

[0041] As can be seen, the longitudinal edges 18 are dimensioned in width such that, on the one hand, a radial overhang of the rollers 13 on both sides is ensured and, on the other hand, their sufficient axial fixation, with the projections 16 resting against the respective webs 20 in such a way that unhindered pivoting of the cage 12 relative to the outer shell 11 is ensured.

Claims

[1] Disc brake for a commercial vehicle, comprising a clamping device (4) positioned in a brake caliper (1), which has a brake lever (5) which is pivotably mounted in the brake caliper (1) by means of at least one arc-shaped rolling bearing (7), wherein the rolling bearing (7) has an outer shell (11) and a plurality of adjacent rolling rollers (13) which bear against the concave inner surface (15) of the outer shell (11) and which are held in a cage (12) which is pivotable to a limited extent relative to the outer shell (11), wherein the cage (12) and the outer shell (11) are positively connected to each other, characterized by, that the cage (12) has at least one window opening (19) on each of its opposing curved longitudinal edges (18), into which a projection (16) provided on the associated edge (14) of the outer shell (11) engages, wherein each window opening (19) is designed as an open recess towards the concave side of the cage (12) and is bounded opposite in the convex edge region by a web (20) that is elastically deformable in the direction of the rollers (13). [2] Disc brake according to claim 1, characterized by , that the projection (16) in correspondence with the window opening (19) limits the pivoting range of the cage (12). [3] Disc brake according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the cage (12) has struts (17) connecting the longitudinal edges (18) in the axial direction of the rollers (13), each of which engages in a gusset (21) formed between two rollers (13) on the side opposite the outer shell (11). [4] Disc brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the outer shell (11), the rollers (13) and the cage (12) are inserted into the brake caliper (1) as a pre-assembled unit. [5] Circular arc-shaped rolling bearing for supporting a brake lever (5) positioned in a brake caliper (1) of a disc brake, wherein the rolling bearing (7) has an outer shell (11) and a plurality of adjacent rolling rollers (13) supporting themselves on the concave inner surface (15) of the outer shell (11), which are held in a cage (12) which is pivotable to a limited extent relative to the outer shell (11), wherein the cage (12) and the outer shell (11) are positively connected to each other, characterized by, that the cage (12) has at least one window opening (19) on each of its opposite curved longitudinal edges (18), into which a projection (16) provided on the associated edge (14) of the outer shell (11) engages, wherein each window opening (19) is designed as an open recess towards the concave side of the cage (12) and is bounded oppositely in the convex edge region by a web (20) that is elastically deformable in the direction of the rollers (13). [6] Circular arc-shaped rolling bearing according to claim 5, characterized by , that the projection (16) in correspondence with the window opening (19) limits the pivoting range of the cage (12). [7] Circular arc-shaped rolling bearing according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by , that the outer shell (11) is U-shaped in cross-section, with the projection (16) being formed on each of the opposing angled legs forming the edges (14). [8] Circular arc-shaped rolling bearing according to one of claims 5-7, characterized by , that the edges (14) partially overlap the cage (12) on the outside in the convex edge region in a radial direction. [9] Circular arc-shaped rolling bearing according to claim 5, characterized by that the rolling bearing is designed as a full complement needle bearing.

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