Bicycle disc brake caliper

Abstract

A bicycle disc brake caliper 14 includes at least one piston 12, a caliper body 14, and a heat conduction suppressing structure 16. At least one piston 12 is movable along a predetermined axis SX. The caliper body 14 has a support surface 20 that runs parallel to a plane containing the predetermined axis SX and faces the bicycle frame 4. Likewise, the caliper body 14 supports at least one piston 12. The heat conduction suppressing structure 16 is provided on the support surface 20.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake caliper, in particular a bicycle disc brake caliper.

[0002] In connection with the bicycle disc brake caliper, a construction has been discussed in which a through hole is formed on the bicycle frame and a screw component for screwing into the brake caliper body of the bicycle disc brake caliper is passed through the through hole.

[0003] In a conventional disc brake caliper, heat generated by braking can be transferred from the caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like. An example of a heat-damping structure in a brake caliper is disclosed in DE 203 05 422 U1. A brake pad is composed of a grouping of three different individual pads: a metal pad on the inside, a heat-insulating pad in the middle, and a sintered metal pad on the outside. An example of a bicycle disc brake pad with a spray-coated surface on a back plate of the pad is disclosed in DE 60 2006 000 813 T2. The spray-coated surface is applied between a friction element of the pad and a copper-plated surface to strengthen the bond between the back plate and the friction element.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to suppress heat conduction from the brake caliper body.

[0005] This object is achieved by a bicycle disc brake caliper according to patent claim 1.

[0006] The bicycle disc brake caliper according to the present invention comprises at least one piston, a caliper body, and a heat conduction suppressing structure. At least one piston is movable along a predetermined axis. The caliper body has a support surface that runs parallel to a plane containing the predetermined axis and faces the bicycle frame. Likewise, the caliper body supports at least one piston. The heat conduction suppressing structure is provided on the support surface.

[0007] In this bicycle disc brake caliper, it is possible to suppress heat conduction from the caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like by providing the heat conduction suppressing structure on the contact surface of the caliper body facing the bicycle frame.

[0008] The heat conduction suppressing structure may include a plurality of recesses provided on the support surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the area of ​​the support surface in contact with the frame by means of the recesses and easily and effectively suppress heat conduction from the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame.

[0009] The support surface may have a mounting hole for mounting the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame. The plurality of recesses may be provided such that the distances from the center of the mounting hole to the centers of the plurality of recesses are equal in the radial direction of the mounting hole. Since the distances from the mounting hole to the plurality of recesses are equal, this configuration allows for even heat distribution and suppresses heat buildup.

[0010] The plurality of recesses can be provided such that the centers of the plurality of recesses are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole. According to this configuration, it is possible to distribute heat even more evenly and further prevent heat buildup.

[0011] The mounting hole may be formed as a screw hole. According to this configuration, it is possible to mount the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like using a screw component such as a bolt.

[0012] Viewed from the direction orthogonal to the support surface, the majority of recesses can be shaped like circles. Since the recesses are circular and easy to machine, this design allows for the recesses to be formed cost-effectively and easily.

[0013] The bicycle disc brake caliper may further include an anti-skid structure provided on the support surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the movement of the brake caliper body relative to the bicycle frame and the like by means of the anti-skid structure.

[0014] The heat conduction suppressing structure may include an intermediate member provided between the support surface and the bicycle frame. According to this configuration, it is possible to further suppress heat conduction from the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like by using a material (e.g., ceramic, stainless steel, etc.) with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the brake caliper body in the intermediate member.

[0015] The brake caliper body may have a mounting recess provided on the support surface for mounting the intermediate component. According to this configuration, it is possible to restrict the movement of the intermediate component by the mounting recess.

[0016] The mounting recess may include a mounting hole for mounting the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame. The intermediate component may include a connecting hole corresponding to the mounting hole. According to this configuration, it is possible to mount the intermediate component and the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like in the mounting recess by means of a mounting component that passes through the mounting hole and the connecting hole.

[0017] The mounting hole can be designed as a screw hole. According to this configuration, it is possible to mount the brake caliper body and the intermediate component to the bicycle frame using a screw component such as a bolt.

[0018] The intermediate component and the arrangement recess can be configured such that the intermediate component is positioned relative to the arrangement recess. According to this configuration, movement of the intermediate component can be prevented.

[0019] The intermediate component is made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the brake caliper body. This design makes it possible to further prevent heat conduction from the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like by means of the intermediate component.

[0020] The brake caliper body can be made of an aluminum alloy. This design allows for a lightweight brake caliper body. It is also possible to cool the brake caliper body with outside air.

[0021] The intermediate component can be made of stainless steel. Since the intermediate component is made of stainless steel, which has a lower thermal conductivity than that of an aluminum alloy, this design makes it possible to further prevent heat conduction from the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame and the like.

[0022] The intermediate component can be made of resin. Since the intermediate component is made of resin with lower thermal conductivity than that of aluminum alloy, this configuration makes it possible to further prevent heat conduction from the brake caliper body to the bicycle frame, etc. It is also possible to make the intermediate component lightweight by using resin.

[0023] The intermediate component has an anti-skid structure. According to this design, it is possible to restrict the movement of the intermediate component relative to the bicycle frame and the like.

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent heat conduction from the caliper body.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of the bicycle disc brake caliper according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the bicycle disc brake caliper is mounted on the bicycle frame; Fig. 2 an enlarged side view of the mounting part of the bicycle brake caliper in Fig. 1 is; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the bicycle disc brake caliper of the first embodiment; Fig. 4 a Fig. 2 is a corresponding view of the bicycle disc brake caliper according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 a Fig. 3 is a corresponding view of the bicycle disc brake caliper according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the intermediate component of the second embodiment; and Fig. 7 a Fig. 2 is a view of the bicycle disc brake caliper according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of each of the following embodiments, the same structural elements are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, where appropriate, some structural elements have been omitted in each drawing to simplify the description.

[0027] In Fig. 1, a bicycle disc brake caliper (hereinafter referred to simply as "caliper") 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted on a bicycle frame 4. The bicycle frame 4 is made of, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced resin. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the brake caliper 10 is shown mounted on a chainstay 4a of the bicycle frame 4. In this case, the brake caliper 10 is used to brake a brake disc 6 mounted on the rear wheel, which is not shown in the figure.

[0028] Furthermore, the brake caliper 10 may be mounted on the front fork (not shown in the figure) mounted on the front end of the bicycle frame 4. Likewise, in the following descriptions, "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," and their synonyms indicate "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" from the viewpoint when the cyclist sits on the saddle facing the handlebar (all not shown in the figure).

[0029] The chainstay 4a forming the bicycle frame 4 has a first mounting surface 4b and a second mounting surface 4c for mounting the brake caliper 10. The first mounting surface 4b and the second mounting surface 4c are arranged from front to rear with a space therebetween and are formed prominently in rectangular shapes. A first hole 4d opens into the first mounting surface 4b, and a second hole 4e opens into the second mounting surface 4c. The first hole 4d and the second hole 4e penetrate the chainstay 4a. The first hole 4d and the second hole 4e are provided for fixing the brake caliper 10 to the chainstay 4a.

[0030] The brake caliper 10 is designed to hold the brake disc 6 between brake pads (not shown in the figure) for braking the bicycle wheel. The brake pads operate with at least one piston 12 provided on the brake caliper 10. For simplicity, descriptions are omitted here, as such a design is generally known.

[0031] As in Fig. 2, the brake caliper 10 comprises at least one piston 12, a brake caliper body 14, and a heat conduction suppressing structure 16. Likewise, the brake caliper 10 further comprises an anti-skid structure 18 (see Fig. 3). In the first embodiment, two pistons 12 facing each other are provided on the left and right sides of the brake caliper 10.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the two pistons 12 can each face the brake disc 6 when the brake caliper body 14 is mounted on the chainstay 4a. The two pistons 12 are each movable along a predetermined axis SX of the brake caliper body 14. In this embodiment, the predetermined axis SX extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the brake disc 6.

[0033] The brake caliper body 14 is made, for example, of an aluminum alloy and movably supports the pistons 12. Likewise, the brake caliper body 14 has at least one support surface 20 that runs parallel to a plane having the predetermined axis SX and faces the bicycle frame 4. In this embodiment, two support surfaces 20 are provided from front to rear with a spaced-apart distance between them, facing the first mounting support surface 4b and the second mounting support surface 4c.

[0034] As in Fig. 3, each of the two support surfaces 20 has a mounting hole 20a for mounting the brake caliper body 14 on the bicycle frame 4. The two mounting holes 20a are formed as parallel screw holes. The mounting holes 20a are provided on the support surfaces 20 for directly or indirectly mounting the brake caliper body 14 on the bicycle frame 4. The mounting holes 20a are provided parallel to a plane orthogonal to the predetermined axis SX. In this embodiment, the mounting holes 20a are provided as holes with closed ends opposite the support surfaces 20. The mounting holes 20a are formed to communicate with the first hole 4d and the second hole 4e. A first screw component 22 for mounting the brake caliper body 14 on the bicycle frame 4 is screwed into the mounting hole 20a.Likewise, a second screw component 24 for mounting the brake caliper body 14 on the bicycle frame 4 is screwed into the rear mounting hole 20b. The first screw component 22 and the second screw component 24 are, for example, hexagon socket screws.

[0035] The heat conduction suppressing structure 16 is provided on each of the two support surfaces 20. The heat conduction suppressing structure 16 has a plurality of recesses 26 provided on the support surfaces 20. The plurality of recesses 26 include a plurality of first recesses 26a. The plurality of first recesses 26a are circular in shape when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the support surfaces 20. In the first embodiment, the plurality of recesses 26 further include at least one non-circular second recess 26b.

[0036] The plurality of first recesses 26a facing the first mounting abutment surface 4b are provided such that the distances L from the center of the mounting hole 20a to the centers of the plurality of first recesses 26a in the radial direction of the mounting hole 20a are equal, respectively. The plurality (herein, four) first recesses 26a facing the second mounting abutment surface 4c are provided such that the centers of the plurality of first recesses 26a are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole 20a. In this embodiment, for example, four first recesses 26a are provided spaced apart from each other every 90 degrees. The first recesses 26a and the second recess 26b are formed at a depth of, for example, approximately 1 mm - 10 mm. Furthermore, the shapes and locations of the plurality of recesses 26 can be arbitrarily determined and are not limited to those in this embodiment.

[0037] The anti-skid construction 18, in Fig. 3 by hatching, is provided, for example, on the support surfaces 20 facing the first mounting contact surface 4b and the second mounting contact surface 4c. The anti-skid structure 18 is formed by roughening the surface texture of the support surfaces 20. The surface texture of the support surfaces 20 is roughened, for example, by corrugation or rough polishing, thereby forming the anti-skid structure 18 on the support surfaces 20. Furthermore, the surface texture of the anti-skid structure 18 and the processing method can be arbitrarily determined as long as a predetermined frictional resistance can be achieved. Likewise, the anti-skid structure is not limited to surface processing. For example, other components such as rubber with a higher frictional resistance can also be provided on the support surfaces as the anti-skid structure.

[0038] In the brake caliper 10 according to the first embodiment, with such a configuration, the heat conduction suppressing structure 16 is provided to reduce the area in contact with the bicycle frame 4 on the contact surfaces 20 facing the bicycle frame 4. This can suppress heat conduction from the brake caliper body 14 to the bicycle frame 4.

[0039] Likewise, the movement of the brake caliper body 14 relative to the bicycle frame 4 can be suppressed by means of the anti-skid construction 18 on the support surfaces 20.

[0040] In the following descriptions, in the drawings, the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted; descriptions of the parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are given by three-digit reference numerals indicated by adding a hundred to the two-digit reference numerals in the first embodiment.

[0041] In the brake caliper 110 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a heat conduction suppressing structure 116 further includes two intermediate members 130. The intermediate members 130 are each provided between two support surfaces 20 and a chain stay 4a. Specifically, the two intermediate members 130 are provided between a first mounting support surface 4b and a support surface 20, and between a second mounting support surface 4c and a support surface 20. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the intermediate members 130 form gaps between the support surface 20 and the first mounting support surface 4b and between a support portion and the second mounting support surface 4c. Therefore, no anti-skid structure 18 is provided on the support surfaces 20.

[0042] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the brake caliper body 114 has mounting holes 120a and locating recesses 114a for locating the respective intermediate components 130 on the two support surfaces 20. The locating recesses 114a are formed, for example, rectangularly between the mounting holes 120a and first recesses 126a. The intermediate components 130 and locating recesses 114a are formed such that the intermediate components 130 are positioned relative to the locating recesses 114a.

[0043] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the intermediate members 130 are made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the caliper body 114. In the second embodiment, the intermediate members 130 are made of stainless steel, for example. The intermediate members 130 are rectangularly shaped to be positioned in the locating recesses 114a. The intermediate members 130 have connecting holes 130a corresponding to the mounting holes 120a. Furthermore, the shapes of the locating recesses 114a and the intermediate members 130 can be arbitrarily determined and are not limited to a rectangular shape as long as the intermediate members 130 can be positioned.

[0044] In the second embodiment, the anti-skid structure 118 is provided on the intermediate components 130 facing the first mounting contact surface 4b and the second mounting contact surface 4c. Thus, the intermediate components 130 have an anti-skid structure 118, represented by the hatching in Fig. 6, on the surfaces 130b facing the first mounting abutment surface 4b and the second mounting abutment surface 4c. The anti-skid structure 118 is formed by roughening the surface texture of the surfaces 130b, just like that in the first embodiment.

[0045] Likewise, several recesses 126 provided on the support surfaces 20 consist only of circular first recesses 126a, as in Fig. 5. Here, the plurality of first recesses 126a facing the first mounting abutment surface 4b are provided such that the distances L from the center of the mounting hole 20a to the centers of the plurality of first recesses 126a are equal in the radial direction of the mounting hole 20a. The plurality of first recesses 126a facing the second mounting abutment surface 4c are provided such that the centers of the plurality of first recesses 126a are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole 20a.

[0046] In a brake caliper 210 according to the modification of the second embodiment shown in Fig.7, in addition to the locating recesses 114a provided by the caliper body 114, additional locating recesses 204f are added, which are configured to position the intermediate components 230 in the first mounting contact surface 4b and the second mounting contact surface 4c. In the modification, no anti-skid structure 118 is provided on the intermediate components 230. Likewise, gaps are formed between support surfaces 120 and the first mounting contact surface 4b and the second mounting contact surface. In the modification, the caliper body 114 can be positioned on the chain stay 4a via the intermediate components 230. The material of the intermediate component 230 is, for example, stainless steel.

[0047] Although the descriptions have been made with reference to an embodiment of the present invention, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. In particular, the various embodiments and modifications described in this description can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

[0048] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the brake caliper of this invention can be mounted, for example, on the front fork (not shown) or the seat stay (not shown) of the bicycle frame 4 of the bicycle, although cases have been described in which the brake caliper 10 is mounted on the chain stay 4a constituting the bicycle frame 4.

[0049] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the mounting hole 20a may be formed as a through hole even if the mounting hole 20a is provided with an opening only at one end.

[0050] In the second embodiment, although stainless steel is used as an example of the material of the intermediate members 130 and 230, the material of the intermediate member 130 can be any material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the caliper body 114. For example, ceramic or resin can be used. When the intermediate members 130 and 230 are made of resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, polyacetal resin, fluoroethylene resin, polyacetal resin, phenolic resin, and the like are preferred. In particular, phenolic resin is more preferred due to its relatively low cost and higher heat resistance.

[0051] Although the above-mentioned embodiments disclose that the brake caliper is screwed into the caliper body with the first screw component 22 and the second screw component 24, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is also applicable to a brake caliper in which at least one screw component is screwed through the caliper body into the frame. REFERENCE SYMBOL 4 bicycle frames 4a Chainstay 4b first assembly area 4c second assembly area 4d first hole 4th second hole 6 brake disc 10, 110, 210 bicycle disc brake caliper 12 pistons 14, 114 brake caliper body 16, 116 heat conduction suppressing construction 18, 118 Anti-skid construction 20, 120 contact surface 20a front mounting hole 20b rear mounting hole 22 first screw component 24 second screw component 26, 126 recess 26a, 126a first recess 26b second recess 114a Arrangement recess 120a mounting hole 130, 230 intermediate component 130a connecting hole 130b Surface SX specified axis

Claims

[1] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210), comprising: at least one piston (12) movable along a predetermined axis (SX); a brake caliper body (14, 114) having a support surface (20, 120) and holding the at least one piston (12), wherein the support surface (20, 120) runs parallel to a plane having the predetermined axis (SX) and faces the bicycle frame (4); a heat conduction suppressing structure (16, 116) provided on the support surface (20, 120); and an anti-skid structure (18, 118) provided on the support surface (20, 120). [2] The bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction suppressing structure (16, 116) comprises a plurality of recesses (26, 126) provided on the support surface (20, 120). [3] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 2, wherein the support surface (20, 120) has a mounting hole (20a) for mounting the brake caliper body (14, 114) on the bicycle frame (4), and the plurality of recesses (26, 126) are provided such that the distances from the center of the mounting hole (20a) to the centers of the plurality of recesses (26, 126) in the radial direction of the mounting hole (20a) are equal. [4] The bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of recesses (26, 126) are provided such that the centers of the plurality of recesses (26, 126) are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole (20a). [5] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mounting hole (20a) is formed as a screw hole. [6] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the plurality of recesses (26, 126) are each circular when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the support surface (20, 120). [7] The bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction suppressing structure (16, 116) comprises an intermediate member (130, 230) provided between the support surface (20, 120) and the bicycle frame (4). [8] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 7, wherein the caliper body (14, 114) has an arranging recess (114a) provided on the support surface (20, 120) for arranging the intermediate member (130, 230). [9] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement recess (114a) has a mounting hole (20a) for mounting the brake caliper body (14, 114) on the bicycle frame (4) and the intermediate member (130, 230) has a connecting hole (130, 230) corresponding to the mounting hole (20a). [10] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 9, wherein the mounting hole (20a) is formed as a screw hole. [11] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the intermediate member (130, 230) and the arrangement recess (114a) are formed such that the intermediate member (130, 230) is positioned relative to the arrangement recess (114a). [12] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the intermediate component (130, 230) is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the brake caliper body (14, 114). [13] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 12, wherein the caliper body (14, 114) is made of an aluminum alloy. [14] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 13, wherein the intermediate component (130, 230) is made of stainless steel. [15] A bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to claim 13, wherein the intermediate member (130, 230) is made of resin. [16] Bicycle disc brake caliper (10, 110, 210) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the intermediate component (130, 230) has an anti-skid structure (18, 118).

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