Brake pad spring

Abstract

Vehicle brake, comprehensive a coating carrier (100), wherein the support structure (100) comprises a front retaining frame (111), a rear retaining frame (112), an inner retaining support (121) and an outer retaining support (122), wherein the retaining supports (120) connect the retaining frames (110), and Lining springs (200) which are installed on each of the inner retaining support (121) and the outer retaining support (122) for applying elastic forces in directions in which a lining plate comprising a brake lining is spaced from a disc when an operation of a vehicle brake is released, wherein a return rail (221) is provided on each of the lining springs (200), and wherein the return rail (221) of each lining spring (200) differs in a width and / or a length and / or a thickness of the return rail (221) from the return rails (221) of all the other lining springs (200), so that an elastic force is applied to the lining plate.

Description

REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2020-0012422, filed on February 3, 2020. BACKGROUND 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a pad spring for a vehicle brake. 2. Discussion of the state of the art

[0003] In general, a vehicle brake may include a brake pad designed to rub against a brake disc to slow or stop a vehicle. Such a brake may be installed on one or more or all of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle for operation.

[0004] The brake pad may be installed in a caliper housing, and when the brake is operating and hydraulic pressure is applied to a piston, the brake pad moves into the caliper housing to press on the brake disc, thus performing vehicle braking.

[0005] In addition, when the operation of the brake is released, the piston moves backward and the brake pad is separated from the brake disc, so that a brake status is "released", wherein a pad spring, designed to exert an elastic force on a pad plate to separate the brake pad therefrom at high speed, is installed on a pad carrier.

[0006] Fig. 1A is a view illustrating a conventional vehicle brake, and pad springs 4 applying elastic forces in directions in which pad plates 3 comprising brake pads 2 are spaced from a brake disc are installed in a pad carrier 1.

[0007] In such a conventional brake, the pad springs 4 are provided at a front side and a rear side, and as in Fig. 1B, holders 4a, 4b and 4c are provided on each of the pad springs 4 so that the pad plates 3 are firmly installed on the pad carrier 1, and elastic parts 4d that apply elastic forces to the pad plates 3 are formed on the pad springs 4.

[0008] However, the conventional pad springs 4 are provided to apply the same elastic forces to the pad plates 3 provided on the inside and outside of the pad carrier 1, and in this case, there is a limit that an elastic force applied to the pad plate 3 cannot be variably adjusted to conform to various newer brake specifications.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a need to reduce such a limit.

[0010] From document 2, a vehicle brake is known in which different pad springs are used to exert different elastic forces on the pad plates provided on the inside and outside of the pad carrier. [Prior Art](Document 1) KR 10 1999 0 080 952 A (published on November 15, 1999)(Document 2) DE 20 2017100 837 U1 (published on March 2, 2017)SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide pad springs for a vehicle brake having return performances that differ at an inner side, an outer side, a front side and a rear side of a pad carrier.

[0012] The present invention also relates to the provision of pad springs for a vehicle brake, which can prevent incorrect mounting of pad springs.

[0013] Technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other problems not described above will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, there are provided pad springs for a vehicle brake, which are installed in a pad carrier to apply elastic forces in directions in which a pad plate comprising a brake pad is spaced from a disc when an operation of a vehicle brake is released, wherein the pad carrier comprises a front-side support frame, a rear-side support frame, an inboard support bracket, and an outboard support bracket, the support brackets connecting the support frames, and the pad spring is provided on each of the inboard support bracket and the outboard support bracket, and at least one of a width, a length, and a thickness of a return rail provided on one of the pad springs is different from that provided on each of the remaining pad springs, so that an elastic force is applied to the pad plate.

[0015] The pad spring may be provided on each of a front side and a rear side of each of the inside support bracket and the outside support bracket, and at least one of the width, the length, and the thickness of the return rail provided on one of the pad springs may be different from that provided on each of the remaining pad springs.

[0016] The pad spring may include a fixing part fixed to the pad carrier, a pressing part including the return rail, and a buffer part configured to elastically support the pad plate to prevent the pad plate from colliding with the pad carrier when braking is performed. A fixing protrusion to which the fixing part is fixed may be formed on the pad carrier, and a width of the fixing protrusion formed on the inside support carrier may be different from a width of the fixing protrusion formed on the outside support carrier.

[0017] The fastening part may include a first body, an upper surface pressing rib formed to extend from an upper surface of the first body and presses an upper surface of the fastening projection, a lower surface supporting rib formed to extend from a lower surface of the first body and support a lower surface of the fastening projection, and a side surface pressing rib formed to extend from a side surface of the first body and presses a side surface of the fastening projection.

[0018] A fastening groove having a depressed shape may be formed in the fastening projection, and an additional pressing rib inserted into and arranged in the fastening groove may be formed on the fastening part to prevent separation of the fastening part.

[0019] A second body from which the return rail is formed to extend may be formed on the pressing part, and the return rail may be elastically deformed in a state in which the return rail is formed to extend from one side of the second body.

[0020] An identification part with a different shape may be formed on each of the pad springs.

[0021] The identification part may comprise an identification rib having a different shape in each of the pad springs, and a corresponding surface having a shape corresponding to the identification rib may be formed on the pad carrier.

[0022] A buffer rib designed to elastically support the pad plate may be formed on the buffer part.

[0023] Guide ribs, designed to guide the pad plate to be inserted into the pad spring, are formed in the buffer part or the pressing part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a set of views illustrating a conventional vehicle brake, wherein Fig. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the conventional vehicle brake, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a pad spring installed in the conventional vehicle brake; Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which pad springs are installed in a pad carrier according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the pad springs are separated from the pad carrier according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a front inner side according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a front outer side according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the pad spring installed on a rear inner side according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a rear outer side according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating the state in which the pad springs are separated from the pad carrier according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which the inside pad springs are installed in the pad carrier according to the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a side view illustrating a state in which the outside pad springs are installed in the pad carrier according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein and may be embodied in various different forms. Parts not relevant to the descriptions are omitted from the drawings in order to clearly explain the present invention, and the same or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout this application.

[0026] It is further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," and / or "having," when used herein, indicate the presence of the recited features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. When an element, such as a layer, film, region, plate, or the like, is referred to as being disposed "on" another part, this includes not only the element directly disposed on another element, but also any other element disposed therebetween.Conversely, when an element such as a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is referred to as being disposed "under" another part, this includes not only the element disposed directly under another element, but also another element disposed therebetween.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a set of views illustrating a conventional vehicle brake, wherein Fig. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the conventional vehicle brake, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a pad spring installed in the conventional pad brake, Fig. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which pad springs are installed in a pad carrier according to the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the pad springs are separated from the pad carrier according to the present invention, Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a front inner side according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a front outer side according to the present invention, Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a rear inner side according to the present invention, Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the pad spring installed on a rear outer side according to the present invention, Fig. Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating the state in which the pad springs are separated from the pad carrier according to the present invention, Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which the inside pad springs are installed in the pad carrier according to the present invention, and Fig. 10 is a side view illustrating a state in which the outside pad springs are installed in the pad carrier according to the present invention.

[0028] Pad springs 200 for a vehicle brake according to an embodiment of the present invention are installed in a pad carrier 100 for applying elastic forces in directions in which pad plates comprising brake pads are spaced from a disc when an operation of the vehicle brake is released, and as shown in Fig. 2, the pad carrier 100 includes support frames 110 and support brackets 120 that connect the support frames 110 and on which pad springs 200 are installed. In this case, the support frames 110 include a front support frame 111 and a rear support frame 112, and the support brackets 120 include an inside support bracket 121 and an outside support bracket 122.

[0029] That is, as in Fig. 2 illustrates, four pad springs 200 can be installed on the pad carrier 100, and as in Fig. 3, the pad springs 200 may include a first pad spring 201 installed on a front inner side, a second pad spring 202 installed on a front outer side, a third pad spring 203 installed on a rear inner side, and a fourth pad spring 204 installed on a rear outer side.

[0030] Return rails 221, which apply elastic forces to pad plates when a vehicle braking operation is released, are provided on the pad springs 200, and at least one of a width (W), a length I and a thickness (Thickness, t) of the return rail 221 is formed on the inner side as shown in Fig. 4, provided pad spring 201 may differ from that of the pad spring 202 provided on the outside, as in Fig. 5, so that the restoring performance of the pad spring 201 differs from the restoring performance of the pad spring 202. In addition, at least one of a width w, a length l and a thickness t of the restoring rail 221 of the inner side, as shown in Fig. 6 illustrates, provided pad spring 203 from that of the pad spring 204 provided on the outside, as in Fig. 7, so that the return performance of the pad spring 203 differs from the return performance of the pad spring 204.

[0031] In this case, the recovery performances of the outside pad springs 202 and 204 may be higher than the recovery performances of the inside pad springs 201 and 203, and for this, the width w or the thickness t of the recovery rail 221 provided in each of the outside pad springs 202 and 204 may be relatively larger than the width w or the thickness t of the recovery rail 221 of each of the inside pad springs 201 and 203, and the length I of the recovery rail 221 provided in each of the outside pad springs 202 and 204 may be relatively smaller than the length I of the recovery rail 221 of each of the inside pad springs 201 and 203.

[0032] Moreover, particularly among the outside pad springs 202 and 204, the recovery performance of the front pad spring 202 may be different from the recovery performance of the rear pad spring 204, and to this end, at least one of the width w, the length l, and the thickness t of the recovery rail 221 provided on the front pad spring 202 may be different from that of the tension rail 221 provided on the rear pad spring 204 as described above.

[0033] As described above, since the pad springs 200 of which the restoring performances are different on the inside, outside, front and rear sides of the pad carrier 100 are provided, elastic forces applied to the pad plates can be variably adjusted to conform to various vehicle brake specifications.

[0034] As in Fig. 3, fastening projections 130 are provided on the support brackets 120 to firmly install the pad springs 200 on the pad carrier 100. The fastening projection 130 can be formed on any of the front inner side, the front outer side, the rear inner side, and the rear outer side. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, the front inner pad spring 201 comprises a fastening part 210 fastened to the fastening projection 130, a pressing part 220 comprising the return rail 221, and a buffer part 230 elastically supporting the pad plate in order to prevent the pad plate from colliding with the pad carrier 100 during braking. In addition, each of the Fig. 5 illustrated front outer pad springs 202, which in Fig. 6 illustrated rear inner pad springs 203 and the one in Fig. 7, the rear outboard pad springs 204 include the fixing member 210, the pressing member 220, and the buffer member 230 described above.

[0035] In other embodiments, as in Fig. 8, a width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the inside support bracket 121 may be different from a width of the fastening projection 130 formed on the outside support bracket 122. Therefore, to conform to the above description, a size of the fastening part 210 of each of the pad springs 201 and 203 installed on the inside differs from a size of the fastening part 210 of each of the pad springs 202 and 204 installed on the outside.

[0036] For example, as in Fig. 8, when the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the inside support bracket 121 is relatively larger than the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the outside support bracket 122, the pad springs 202 and 204 cannot be installed on the inside support brackets 121 due to a size limitation of the fastening part 210 of each of the pad springs 202 and 204 installed on the outside, so that the problem of misassembly due to a worker's error can be prevented.

[0037] Although a misassembly problem may occur when the inside pad springs 201 and 203, in which the sizes of the fastening parts 210 are relatively large, are installed on the outside support brackets 122, the heights of the fastening projections 130 may also be different, thus preventing the misassembly problem. That is, the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the inside support bracket 121 may be larger than the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the outside support bracket 122, but on the other hand, the height of the fastening projection 130 formed on the inside support bracket 121 may be smaller than the height of the fastening projection 130 formed on the outside support bracket 122.

[0038] As in Fig. 4, the fastening part 210 provided in the front inner pad spring 201 may include a first body 211, an upper surface pressing rib 212 formed to extend from an upper surface of the first body 211 and presses an upper surface of the fastening projection 130, a lower surface supporting rib 213 formed to extend from a lower surface of the first body 211 and presses a lower surface of the fastening projection 130, and side surface pressing ribs 214 formed to extend from side surfaces of the first body 211 and press side surfaces of the fastening projection 130. In addition, each of the Fig. 5 illustrated, front outer pad springs 202, which in Fig. 6 illustrated rear inner pad springs 203 and the one in Fig. 7, the rear outboard pad springs 204 also include the first body 211, the upper surface pressing rib 212, the lower surface supporting rib 213, and the side surface pressing rib 214 described above.

[0039] The upper surface pressing rib 212 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the upper surface pressing rib 212 presses the upper surface of the fixing projection 130, and a front end of the upper surface pressing rib 212 is formed to be curved upward so that the upper surface pressing rib 212 is elastically deformed to be coupled to the fixing projection 130 when the pad spring 200 is coupled to the fixing projection 130.

[0040] Furthermore, since the lower surface supporting rib 213 is formed to be in surface contact with the lower surface of the fixing protrusion 130, a position of the pad spring 200 is stably fixed after the pad spring 200 is coupled to the fixing protrusion 130. In this case, since the pressing member 220 described above is formed to expand in a state where a front end of the lower surface supporting rib 213 is also formed to be curved downward, the pad spring 200 can be easily coupled to the fixing protrusion 130.

[0041] In addition, the side surface pressing ribs 214 that press the side surfaces of the fixing projection 130 can be provided, and thus the pad spring 200 can be stably fixed even in a case where an external force or braking torque is applied when the vehicle is running.

[0042] As in Fig. 3, a fastening groove 131 having a depressed shape may be formed in the fastening projection 130, and an additional pressing rib 215 inserted into and arranged in the fastening groove 131 may be provided on the fastening part 210 to prevent separation of the fastening part 210.

[0043] That is, when the fastening part 210 is coupled to the fastening projection 130 only by the upper surface pressing rib 212, the lower surface supporting rib 213, and the side surface pressing rib 214, in a case where an external force greater than an elastic compressive force is applied in a direction opposite to a coupling direction, the fastening part 210 may be arbitrarily separated from the fastening projection 130. However, since the fastening groove 131 with the depressed shape is formed in the fastening projection 130 and the additional pressing rib 215 is formed on the fastening part 210 to be inserted and arranged in the fastening groove 131 as described above, the fastening part 210 can be stably fastened even if the external force is applied in the direction opposite to the coupling direction.so that the pad spring 200 may not be separated, but can also be stably attached in different driving environments.

[0044] As in Fig. 3, a hook step may be formed on the fastening groove 131 to hook and support a front end of an additional pressing rib 215 in a case where an external force is applied in the direction opposite to the coupling direction.

[0045] The pressing member 220 may include a second body 222 configured to extend from the return rail 221, and the return rail 221 may be elastically deformed in a state where the return rail 221 extends from one side of the second body 222. That is, since the return rail 221 is configured to extend from one side of the second body 222, the pad plate is inserted into the pad spring 200 through the other side of the second body 222.

[0046] As described above, since the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the inside support bracket 121 is different from the width w of the fastening projection 130 formed on the outside support bracket 122, misassembly of the pad springs 201 and 203 installed on the inside and the pad springs 202 and 204 installed on the outside can be prevented.Although the misassembly of the front pad spring 201 and the rear pad spring 203 may occur because the sizes of the fastening parts 210 of the pad springs 201 and 203 installed on the inside are the same as described above, in the state where the return rail 221 is formed to extend from one side of the second body 222, in a case where the front pad spring 201 and the rear pad spring 203 are misassembled, since the return rail 221 is arranged in such a form as to extend from the other side of the second body 222, it may interfere with it when the pad plate is inserted into the pressing part 220, so that the misassembly of the front pad spring 201 and the rear pad spring 203 can be prevented.

[0047] Identification parts 240 having different shapes may be formed on the pad springs 200 so that the worker can visually check a misassembly state or a visual inspector can automatically detect the misassembly after the pad springs 200 are installed.

[0048] In addition, the identification parts 240 include identification ribs 241 having shapes that are changed to be different from each other on the pad springs 200, and corresponding surfaces 140 having shapes that correspond to the identification ribs 241 may be formed on the pad carrier 100. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the upwardly extending identification rib 241 may be formed on the front inner pad spring 201, and the corresponding upwardly extending surface 140 may be formed on the pad carrier 100 to correspond to the identification rib 241. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 5, the identification rib 241 having a shape curved toward an installation surface of the pad carrier 100 may be formed on the front outside pad spring 202, and the corresponding surface 140 having a shape recessed to correspond to the identification rib 241 may be formed on the pad carrier 100. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, the upwardly extending identification rib 241 may be formed on the front inside pad spring 203, and the corresponding surface 140 extending upwardly to correspond to the identification rib 241 may be formed on the pad carrier 100. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig.7, the identification rib 241 having a shape curved toward the installation surface of the pad carrier 100 may be formed on the rear outside pad spring 204, and the corresponding surface 140 having a shape depressed to correspond to the identification rib 241 may be formed on the pad carrier 100.

[0049] Accordingly, in a case where misassembly of the pad spring 200 occurs because interference occurs between the identification rib 241 and the corresponding surface 140, the pad spring 200 cannot be installed, so that the worker can easily determine a misassembly state.

[0050] Buffer ribs 232 that elastically support the pad plates may be formed on the buffer parts 230. In a case where an external force or braking torque is applied when the vehicle is traveling, since the buffer ribs 232 are elastically deformed to support the pad plates, noise and vibration generated when the pad plates collide with the pad carrier 100 can be prevented.

[0051] In addition, guide ribs 231 and 223, which guide the pad plates to be inserted into the pad springs 200, may be formed on the buffer parts 230 and the pressing parts 220.

[0052] Since the pad spring is installed to basically apply an elastic force to the pad plate, a space formed inside the pad spring 200 is not large enough to insert the pad plate into the pad spring 200 in a state where the pad plate is not coupled to the pad spring 200. Therefore, in order to insert the pad plate into the pad spring 200, the guide ribs 231 and 223 may be provided on the buffer part 230 and the pressing part 220 as described above, and thus the pad plate can be easily inserted into the pad spring 200.

[0053] According to the present invention having the above-described structure, since pad springs having restoring performances different at an inner side, an outer side, a front side, and a rear side of a pad carrier are provided for a vehicle brake, elastic forces applied to the pad plates can be adjusted differently to conform to various braking specifications of a vehicle.

[0054] In addition, pad springs can be prevented from being misinstalled, so that the pad springs can be installed in correct positions, and consequently, return performances that meet the vehicle brake specifications can be ensured to effectively eliminate the resistance phenomenon.

[0055] Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and it is understood that they include all effects that can be derived from the detailed description of the present invention or elements of the present invention described in the claims.

[0056] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments proposed in this application, and other embodiments falling within the spirit of the present invention can easily be proposed by a person skilled in the art by adding, changing, and omitting components.

Claims

[1] Vehicle brake, comprising a lining carrier (100), wherein the lining carrier (100) comprises a front-side support frame (111), a rear-side support frame (112), an inside support carrier (121) and an outside support carrier (122), wherein the support carriers (120) connect the support frames (110), and Pad springs (200) installed on each of a front side and a rear side of each of the inside support bracket (121) and the outside support bracket (122) for applying elastic forces in directions in which a pad plate comprising a brake pad is spaced from a disc when an operation of a vehicle brake is released, wherein a return rail (221) is provided on each of the pad springs (200), and wherein the return rail (221) of each pad spring (200) differs in a width and / or a length and / or a thickness of the return rail (221) from the return rails (221) of all the other pad springs (200), so that an elastic force is applied to the pad plate. [2] Vehicle brake according to claim 1, wherein: the pad spring (200) comprises a fastening part (210) fastened to the pad carrier (100), a pressing part comprising the return rail (221), and a buffer part designed to elastically support the pad plate to prevent the pad plate from colliding with the pad carrier (100) when braking is carried out; a fastening projection (130) to which the fastening part (210) is fastened is formed on the lining carrier (100); and a width of the fastening projection (130) formed on the inside support bracket (121) differs from a width of the fastening projection formed on the outside support bracket (122). [3] Vehicle brake according to claim 2, wherein the fastening part (210) comprises: a first body (211); an upper surface pressing rib (212) formed to extend from an upper surface of the first body and pressing on an upper surface of the fastening projection; a lower surface supporting rib (213) formed to extend from a lower surface of the first body (211) and supporting a lower surface of the fixing projection; and a side surface pressing rib (214) formed to extend from a side surface of the first body and presses on a side surface of the fixing projection. [4] Vehicle brake according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: a fastening groove (131) with a recessed shape is formed in the fastening projection; and an additional pressing rib (215) is formed on the fastening part, inserted into and arranged in the fastening groove, in order to prevent separation of the fastening part. [5] Vehicle brake according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: a second body (222), from which the return rail (221) is formed to extend, is formed on the pressing part (220); and the return rail (221) is elastically deformed in a state in which the return rail is formed to extend from one side of the second body. [6] Vehicle brake according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an identification part (240) with a different shape is formed on each of the pad springs (200). [7] A vehicle brake according to claim 6, wherein: the identification part in each of the pad springs (200) comprises an identification rib (241) having a different shape; and a corresponding surface having a shape corresponding to the identification rib is formed on the pad carrier (100). [8] Vehicle brake according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a buffer rib (232) designed to elastically support the lining plate is formed on the buffer part (230). [9] Vehicle brake according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein guide ribs (231, 223) designed to guide the lining plate to be inserted into the pad spring are formed in the buffer part (230) and the pressing part (220).

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