Brake system with spindle / nut assembly that ensures a soft stop

Abstract

Braking system (100), comprising: a brake caliper housing (103) in which a bore (104) is formed; a brake piston (110) which is slidably positioned in the bore (104) of the brake caliper housing (103); and a spindle / nut assembly (130) associated with the brake piston (110), wherein the spindle / nut assembly (130) comprises: a spindle (133); a spindle nut (136) which effectively engages with the spindle (133); and a disc-shaped spring (140) comprising a curved plate (142) radially surrounding the spindle (133), wherein the disc-shaped spring (140) is arranged between an end of the spindle nut (136) and a projecting part (134) of the spindle (133) to provide a spring force between the spindle nut (136) and the spindle (133), wherein the disc-like spring (140) comprises a curved disc, wherein the curved disc is asymmetrically curved, with one place of the disc being curved towards the spindle (133) and another place of the disc being curved towards the spindle nut (136), such that in an uncompressed state the disc is not parallel to a surface of the protruding part (134) of the spindle (133) facing the disc and / or to a surface of the spindle nut (136) that may contact the disc.

Description

field of technology

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a braking system with a spindle / nut assembly. State of the art

[0002] The publication DE 10 2014 002 484 A1 relates to a motor vehicle brake, in particular a motor vehicle brake that can be actuated by a combination of hydraulics and electromechanics, with an actuator assembly comprising: a housing, an actuating element that can be displaced relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis for hydraulically or electromechanically displacing a brake pad, a motor drive, and a displacement mechanism arranged between the motor drive and the displaceable actuating element for displacing the actuating element.To achieve a rapid delivery movement, the displacement mechanism is designed to have a multi-stage spindle-nut arrangement with a first spindle-nut pairing with a first thread pitch and a second spindle-nut pairing with a second thread pitch, wherein the first thread pitch is greater than the second thread pitch, and wherein, during electromechanical actuation of the motor vehicle brake, the first spindle-nut pairing is effective in a first actuation phase and the second spindle-nut pairing is effective in a second actuation phase.

[0003] Document US 2015 / 0 198 223 A1 refers to a backlash-free spindle nut.

[0004] The publication KR 10 1 853 760 B1 refers to an electric saddle brake.

[0005] The publication DE 30 32 689 A1 refers to an automatic brake play adjustment device for vehicle brakes. General technical background

[0006] Most vehicles are equipped with a braking system to slow down or stop the vehicle's movement in a controlled manner. For example, a braking system for an automobile might include a disc brake assembly for each of the front wheels and either a drum brake assembly or a disc brake assembly for each of the rear wheels. The brake assemblies are actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generated when a vehicle operator depresses a brake pedal. The braking system can also be used to generate a parking brake force to prevent a stopped or parked vehicle from moving.

[0007] When a service brake is applied in a disc brake system, fluid is pressurized, causing one or more brake pistons to move one or more brake pads against a brake rotor to generate a clamping force. This clamping force serves to slow down or limit the vehicle's movement. To release the braking effect and / or the clamping force, pressure is released from the fluid, causing the brake pistons and pads to move away from the brake rotor. Once released, the vehicle can move freely again.

[0008] A parking brake system can utilize one or more components of the braking system to hold the vehicle in a stopped or parked position. In modern applications, parking brake systems can be electromechanical. An example of an electromechanical parking brake system features a motor-gear unit designed to move one or more brake pistons and brake pads against a brake rotor to generate a clamping force to hold the vehicle in a stopped or parked position. To release the clamping force, the motor-gear unit moves the one or more brake pistons away from the one or more brake pads.

[0009] The following embodiments are described with reference to these and other general considerations. Although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should also be clarified that the embodiments are not intended to be limited to solving the specific problems mentioned under General Technical Background. RevelationTechnical Task

[0010] Various embodiments of the present disclosure specify a braking system comprising a spindle / nut assembly capable of providing a soft stop. Technical solution

[0011] The invention is defined by independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are particularly evident from the dependent claims.

[0012] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be easier to understand and deduce from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and from the claims appended at the end of the detailed description.

[0013] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a brake system may comprise: a brake caliper housing in which a bore is formed; a brake piston which is slidably positioned in the bore of the brake caliper housing; and a spindle / nut assembly associated with the brake piston, wherein the spindle / nut assembly comprises: a spindle; a spindle nut which is operatively coupled to or engaged with the spindle; and a disc-like spring which has a curved plate which radially surrounds the spindle.

[0014] The disc-shaped spring can be arranged between the spindle nut and the spindle to provide a spring force between the spindle nut and the spindle. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the disc-shaped spring can be positioned between an end of the spindle nut and a projecting part of the spindle. The projecting part of the spindle can include a flange positioned on the spindle. The disc-shaped spring can be designed to provide the spring force against a movement of the spindle nut directed toward the spindle.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate-like spring can comprise one or more plate discs.

[0016] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate-like spring can comprise a Belleville disc.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the disc-like spring may comprise a disc with a wave shape in an axial direction of the spindle / nut assembly.

[0018] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate-like spring can comprise a plate-shaped disc having a spiral shape which is split at one point.

[0019] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the disc-like spring can comprise a curved disc. The curved disc can be curved in an axial direction of the spindle / nut assembly.

[0020] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate-like spring can comprise a plurality of curved plate discs stacked on top of each other.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle can be designed to be driven by rotation, and the spindle nut can be designed to be movable in a linear direction in response to a rotational movement of the spindle. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle nut can be designed to be driven by rotation, and the spindle can be designed to be movable in a linear direction in response to a rotational movement of the spindle nut.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spindle may comprise a flange, and the disc-like spring may be positioned between an end of the spindle nut facing the spindle and a surface of the spindle flange facing the spindle nut.

[0023] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the disc-shaped spring can prevent the brake piston from striking the spindle / nut assembly hard and ensure a soft stop. The disc-shaped spring can reduce shock to the brake system, increase the durability of the spindle / nut assembly, and lower the cost of the brake system.

[0024] This outline is intended to present a selection of concepts in simplified form, which are described in more detail below. This outline is not intended to identify the main features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Beneficial effects

[0025] The braking system with a spindle / nut assembly according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a soft stop, since the disc-like spring prevents the brake piston from hitting the spindle / nut assembly hard. Description of drawings

[0026] Various embodiments according to the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings: Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a braking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 5-8 show examples of plate-like springs for a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 9-11 show a top view, a perspective view and a side view of an example of a plate-like spring for a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 12-13 and 14 show perspective views of examples of plate-like springs for a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 15-17 show a top view, a perspective view and a side view of an example of a plate-like spring for a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 18 shows an exploded view of a spindle / nut assembly of a brake system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Corresponding numbers and symbols in the various figures generally denote corresponding parts, unless otherwise specified. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Best mode

[0028] The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure and illustrate specific embodiments with which the invention can be implemented in practice. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to implement the invention in practice. It should be clarified that other embodiments may also be used and that structural, logical, and electrical modifications may be made without departing from the concept and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. Identical numbers in the figures refer to identical components, which should be clear from the context of their use.

[0029] Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a braking system or assembly comprising a spindle / nut assembly. The braking system or assembly may be designed to slow down, stop, limit, and / or prevent the movement of a vehicle. The braking system or assembly may be designed to effect the application of a brake or braking. Braking may be a braking force (i.e., any force) that slows down, stops, limits, and / or prevents the rotation of a rotor, slows down, stops, limits, and / or prevents the movement of a vehicle, or may be both. In addition, or alternatively, braking may be a parking brake force (i.e.,any force) that, when the vehicle is in a stopped or parked position, can limit or prevent the rotation of a rotor, limit or prevent the movement of a vehicle, or both. The braking system or assembly can be any system or assembly capable of performing the functions described above. For example, the braking assembly can be a system with opposing braking devices (i.e., a fixed caliper braking system), a system with a floating braking device (i.e., a floating caliper), a parking brake assembly, or a combination thereof. The braking system or assembly can be used with any vehicle. For example, the braking system or assembly can be used with any light passenger vehicle (e.g., a car, truck, off-road vehicle, or the like) or any heavy commercial vehicle (e.g.,The braking system or assembly may include a parking brake assembly, which may function to apply a service brake, a parking brake force, or both when the vehicle is in a stopped or parked position. For this function, the parking brake assembly may use or include any of the elements of the braking system or assembly.

[0030] An example of the braking system or assembly, implemented as an electronic caliper brake, is disclosed in Korean patent no. 10-1853760, granted on April 25, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a braking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] A brake system 100 may include a brake caliper 102. The brake caliper 102 may be designed to accommodate or contain any of the components of a service brake assembly, a parking brake assembly, or both, and / or to facilitate their mounting and function. For example, the brake caliper 102 may be designed to provide movement of one or more brake pads, or preferably two or more brake pads, relative to a rotor. The brake caliper 102 may move during braking (i.e., a floating brake caliper), or the brake caliper 102 may be fixed so that it does not move during braking (i.e., a fixed brake caliper). The brake caliper 102 may be connected to any support structure of any vehicle. The brake caliper 102 may have one or more support brackets or pressure plates for coupling to or engaging with the one or more brake pads.In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the support brackets or pressure plates 187 are arranged around a rotor 186 such that one brake block 183 is arranged on an inwardly facing side of the rotor 186 and another brake block 183 is arranged on an outwardly facing side of the rotor 186.

[0033] The rotor or brake disc 186 can generally be circular and can extend through the brake caliper 102, be partially surrounded by the brake caliper 102, or be both. Preferably, the rotor 186 extends at least partially between the brake caliper 102, such that the friction material of one or more brake pads 183 faces an inward-facing side of the rotor 186 and the friction material of one or more brake pads 183 faces an outward-facing side of the rotor 186. During service brake application, the friction material of one or more brake pads 183 can be moved or pushed into contact with one or more sides of the rotor 186 to generate braking (i.e., a braking force), so that the rotor 186, the vehicle, or both are slowed down, stopped, and / or restricted or prevented from rotating or moving.During parking brake actuations, the friction material of one or more brake blocks 183 can be moved or pushed into contact with one or more sides of the rotor 186 to generate braking (i.e., a parking brake force) so that the movement or rotation of a stopped or parked vehicle or rotor can be restricted or prevented.

[0034] One or more pistons can be configured to move one or more brake pads relative to any surface of the rotor to apply and / or release braking. The braking force can be any force, such as a service braking force, a parking braking force, or both. One or more pistons can move toward or away from a brake pad along a piston axis. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 103 of the brake caliper 102 can have a caliper bore 104 that supports a brake piston 110. The brake piston 110 can move into and out of the caliper bore 104. The brake piston 110 can seal the caliper bore 104 in the brake caliper 102, so that fluid is enclosed in the brake caliper 102, the brake piston 110, or both.The brake piston 110 can have sufficient strength to be moved towards or away from the brake pads 183 by means of any fluid, any mechanical device or connection, such as a spindle nut and spindle, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the brake piston 110 is moved towards or away from the brake pads 183 during braking by means of fluid pressure (i.e., a brake fluid). Preferably, during the application of a parking brake, the brake piston 110 is moved towards or away from the brake pads 183 by means of an actuator 190, such as a motor-gear assembly connected to a linkage including a spindle nut and spindle, and / or a motor. The brake piston 110 can have: a front end (such as a head 113), which may generally be flat, to engage one or more brake pads 183 and actuate them.to be able to move these towards or away from the rotor 186, and a rear end which may have a receptacle (such as a bore 116) for receiving a fluid, for coupling with a component of a mechanical connection, such as a spindle nut, or for a combination of both. The front end of the brake piston 110 may be attached or coupled directly or indirectly to the pressure plate 187 of the brake pad 183, or the front end of the brake piston 110 may engage the support bracket 187 detachably or selectively after the brake piston 110 has moved so that it comes into contact with the support bracket 187. The receptacle of the brake piston 110 may be grooved (e.g., threaded) and may engage with a matching grooved (e.g., threaded) spindle nut or spindle of a spindle / nut assembly (such as 130).

[0035] The braking system 100 can, for example, be a combined service and parking brake apparatus, but this is not meant as a limitation.

[0036] When used as a vehicle's service brake, the brake system 100 can be actuated hydraulically. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to a fluid chamber 180, which is connected to a hollow inner region (e.g., a bore 116) of the brake piston 110. The brake piston 110 can be a hollow cylindrical component that is sealed fluid-tight at one end. In the event of a pressure increase in the fluid chamber 180, the brake piston 110 is moved toward the rotor 186 to engage the brake pads 183 against the rotor 186.

[0037] The brake system 100 also includes a parking brake component or assembly, which may comprise a spindle / nut assembly 130 and an actuator 190. For example, the parking brake may be of the so-called MOC type (brake caliper with additional motor), in which a request from a driver or operator to apply the parking brake is transmitted by means of an electrical signal to a control unit, which actuates a motor 196 to mechanically engage the parking brake. The brake caliper 102 of the brake system 100 is mounted and mechanically locked.

[0038] For a rotary drive of the spindle / nut assembly 130, it is possible, for example, to use an electric motor capable of transmitting its rotary motion to a spindle or the spindle nut of the spindle / nut assembly via an output shaft designed in a complementary manner to the rotary joint. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuator 190 is coupled to the spindle / nut assembly 130 to provide a rotary force. The actuator 190 can include the motor 196. For example, the electric motor 196 is designed as a DC motor.

[0039] The actuator 190 can optionally include a gearbox 193. The gearbox 193 can be arranged between the spindle / nut assembly 130 and the motor 196, so that the torque generated by the motor 196 can be increased or decreased before being transmitted to the spindle / nut assembly 130. For example, an output of the gearbox 193 is coupled to a rear section of the spindle 133, and the gearbox 193 rotates the spindle 133. The gearbox 193 can include one or more gears, such as a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear, and any suitable gear type. The present disclosure is not limited to driving the spindle / nut assembly 130 rotatably by means of a geared motor unit with an electric motor and a reduction gearbox.Alternatively, the spindle / nut assembly 130 can be rotatably driven by a belt or by a power transmission mechanism using (at least) a lever, a cable, or a similar power transmission mechanism. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuator 190 may not include the gearbox 193, and the drive shaft of the electric motor 196 may be directly coupled to the rear section of the spindle / nut assembly 130.

[0040] The spindle / nut assembly 130 is designed to convert the torque provided by the actuator 190 into a linear or translational motion, thereby moving the brake piston 110 towards the rotor 186 and pressing the brake pads 183 against the rotor 186. The spindle / nut assembly 130 can comprise a spindle and a spindle nut. Fig. Figures 1-3 provide an example where an element 133 of the spindle / nut assembly, adjacent to the actuator 190, is a spindle, and another element 136 of the spindle / nut assembly, adjacent to the brake piston 110, is a spindle nut. However, according to the present disclosure, the spindle / nut assembly 130 is not limited to this arrangement or any particular type of spindle / nut assembly, and other designs of the spindle / nut assembly can be chosen, as a person skilled in the art will recognize. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 18, one element 133 of the spindle / nut assembly can be implemented as a spindle nut and the other element 136 of the spindle / nut assembly can be implemented as a spindle.

[0041] The spindle nut 136 can be operatively coupled to the brake piston 110, allowing one or more brake pads 183 to move relative to the rotor 186 to apply and / or release braking (i.e., a parking brake force). The spindle nut 136 can engage with the brake piston 110 via any suitable coupling or attachment. For example, the coupling can be a threaded coupling, a sliding coupling, a positive locking, a permanent coupling, a releasable coupling, a wedging, the like, or a combination thereof. The spindle nut 136 can be received, at least partially, in the bore 116 of the brake piston 110. A motive force supplied by the actuator 190 through the spindle 133 can be applied to the spindle nut 136, allowing the brake piston 110 to move along a piston axis relative to the brake pad 183.The spindle nut 136 can move, at least partially, relative to the piston bore 116 without the brake piston 110 and / or the brake pads 183 actually moving towards the rotor 186 (i.e., a gap can extend between the spindle nut 136 and the piston bore 116). In other words, the spindle nut 136 can be moved axially over a certain distance within the piston bore 116 before the spindle nut 136 actually moves the piston 110 and / or the brake pad 183. The spindle nut 136 can be displaced along a piston axis within the piston bore 116, rotated within the piston bore 116, or a combination thereof is possible to move the piston 110, the brake pad 183, or both relative to the rotor 186. More precisely, the spindle nut 136 can be moved in a first direction (i.e.,The spindle nut 136 can be moved or rotated in an unlocking direction to move the brake block 183 towards or closer to the rotor 186 to generate braking. Conversely, the spindle nut 136 can be moved or rotated in the opposite direction (i.e., a locking direction) to move the brake block 183 away from the rotor 186 to release the braking. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is considered that the spindle nut may be formed integrally with the brake piston or the spindle, or that a combination thereof is possible.

[0042] The spindle 133 can be effectively engaged with or coupled to the spindle nut 136. The spindle 133 can communicate with the actuator 190 and can interact with the spindle nut 136 to translate a rotational force received from the actuator 190 into a linear force to move the brake piston 110 along the piston axis. The spindle 133 can be coupled to the spindle nut 136 via any suitable coupling or attachment to perform the aforementioned functions / operations. For example, the coupling can be a threaded coupling. For this purpose, each spindle 133 can have one or more threaded sections. The spindle 133 can be rotated or moved in a first direction (i.e., an unlocking direction) to move the spindle nut 136, the brake piston 110, and / or the brake pad 183 toward the rotor 186 to generate braking. And the spindle 133 can be turned in the opposite direction (i.e.(in a locking direction) are rotated or moved to move the spindle nut 136, the brake piston 110 and / or the brake pad 183 away from the rotor 186 in order to release the braking. Again, it is within the scope of this disclosure that the spindle, the spindle nut and / or the brake piston may be one and the same component.

[0043] The motor 196 is designed to generate a parking brake force during operation, producing a torque that causes the spindle 133 to rotate in an engagement direction. The rotation of the spindle 133 in the engagement direction causes the spindle nut 136 to move axially in an engagement direction towards the brake piston 110. As the spindle nut 136 unscrews from the spindle 133 due to its rotation, the front face of the nut head 137 comes into contact with the inside of a piston base 113 of the brake piston 110. After the spindle nut 136 has engaged the inside of the piston base 113 of the brake piston 110, further rotation of the spindle 133 causes the spindle nut 136 to move the brake piston 110, and thus the brake pads 183, axially against the rotor 186.In embodiments of the present disclosure, the front of the spindle nut head 137 and the inside of the piston base 113 can be designed in a complementary way with regard to their shape, so that the nut head 137 can be placed over a large area and thus be applied to the brake piston 110 in a material-saving manner, thereby enabling good transmission of high holding forces.

[0044] To release a holding brake force resulting from an increase in the length of the spindle / nut assembly 130, the motor 196 can generate a torque that causes the spindle 133 to rotate in a release direction. The release direction can be opposite to the direction of engagement. The rotation of the spindle 133 causes the spindle nut 136 to move in the release direction. The spindle nut 136 is then screwed back onto the spindle 133, and the spindle nut head 137 disengages from the inside of the piston base 113, with the result that no holding force is transmitted to the brake piston 110. Accordingly, the brake piston 110 moves away from the inward-facing brake pad 183, and the inward-facing brake pad 183 moves away from the rotor 186, thus releasing the clamping force.

[0045] However, the linear movement of the spindle nut 136 towards the spindle 133 must be stopped in a certain position.

[0046] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, to stop or limit the movement of the spindle nut 136 directed towards the spindle 133, for example, a stop flange 134 of the spindle 133 can have a tooth 138 projecting axially from the front surface of the flange 134 towards the front part of the spindle 133, and the spindle nut 136 can have a notch 139 formed at a rear end of the spindle nut 136. When the notch 139 of the spindle nut 136, which is screwed back onto the spindle 133, contacts the tooth 138 formed on the flange 134 of the spindle 133, the linear movement of the spindle nut 136 directed towards the spindle 133 can be stopped. However, this hard stop mechanism can generate noise and have a limited service life.

[0047] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the tooth 138 formed on the flange 134 of the spindle 133 and / or the notch 139 of the spindle nut 136 can be omitted. To provide a soft stop at the position of the spindle nut 136 that causes complete release, a disc-shaped spring 140 can be arranged and act between the spindle 133 and the spindle nut 136. The disc-shaped spring 140 can be designed to provide a linear deflecting force. For example, the disc-shaped spring 140 can be designed to provide a spring force against the linear movement of the spindle nut 136 directed towards the spindle 133 due to elastic deformation. Accordingly, the disc-shaped spring 140 can prevent the spindle nut 136 from making a hard stop against the spindle 133.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the disc-shaped spring 140 can be positioned between an end of the spindle nut 136 facing the spindle 133 and a projecting part or projection 134 of the spindle 133. The projecting part or projection 134 of the spindle 133 can have a structure that projects or extends radially from a circumferential surface of the spindle 133. The projecting part or projection 134 can, for example, but not limited to, be implemented as a stop flange, which may be a projecting flat edge or frame or a rib on an object. The projecting part 134 of the spindle 133 can be designed to support the disc-shaped spring 140 and to stop or limit the linear movement of the spindle nut 136 relative to the spindle 133 when a part of the spindle nut 136 (e.g.,one end of the spindle nut 136, which is facing the spindle 133), which moves towards the spindle 133, reaches the projecting part 134 of the spindle 133.

[0049] When the engaged vehicle brake is released, the spindle nut 136 is screwed back onto the spindle 133 and moved away from the brake piston 110. When a part of the spindle nut 136 (e.g., an end of the spindle nut 136 facing the spindle 133) is moved close to the projecting part 134 of the spindle 133, the disc-shaped spring 140 acts against that part of the spindle nut 136, so that the spindle nut 136 moving towards the spindle 133 can be held softly in contact with the spindle 133.

[0050] The disc-shaped spring 140 can comprise a curved plate 142 that radially surrounds a central opening 144 formed therein. The spindle 133 can be arranged in the central opening 144 of the disc-shaped spring 140. For example, the disc-shaped spring 140 comprises one or more discs.

[0051] The disc-shaped spring 140 can be a single disc. An example of the single disc is shown in Fig. 5 shown. Alternatively, the disc-like spring 140 can have the majority of stacked discs, such as discs stacked parallel to each other (aligned in the same direction, see Fig. 6), and discs stacked in a row (aligned in alternating directions, see Fig. 7), and discs stacked in a combination of in-line and parallel (see Fig. 8).

[0052] In a first embodiment, the disc-shaped spring 140 comprises one or more Belleville discs. Fig. Figures 9-11 show top, perspective, and side views of an example of the Belleville disc. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and various types of discs can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0053] In a second embodiment, the disc-like spring 140 comprises an asymmetrically curved disc. As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, for example, one part of the disc 140 can be curved in a first direction (e.g., towards the spindle 133), and another part of the disc 140 can be curved in a second direction (e.g., towards the spindle nut 136), such that the disc 140 is angled with respect to a surface of the projecting part 134 of the spindle 133 facing the disc 140, and / or a surface of the spindle nut 136 that can contact the disc 140. In this example, the disc 140, in its uncompressed state, can be arranged such that it is not parallel to a surface of the projecting part 134 of the spindle 133 facing the disc 140, and / or a surface of the spindle nut 136 that can contact the disc 140.

[0054] In a third embodiment, the plate-like spring 140 comprises a wave disk with a wave shape in an axial direction of the spindle / nut assembly 130. Fig. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an example of a single wave disk. Fig. Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an example of the plurality of stacked wave disks.

[0055] In a fourth embodiment, the plate-like spring 140 comprises a plate-shaped disk with a spiral shape that is divided at one point. Fig. Figure 14 shows a perspective view of an example of the split disc or spring ring.

[0056] In a fifth embodiment, the disc-like spring 140 comprises a disc which is symmetrically curved in an axial direction of the spindle / nut assembly 130. Fig.Figures 15-17 show top, perspective and side views of an example of the symmetrically curved disc.

[0057] Various other disc-shaped springs can also be used, including any disc spring with elastic properties or any disc spring with any combination of the discs described above.

[0058] The spindle / nut assembly 120 may further include a spacer 160. The spacer 160 may be arranged on a rod of the spindle nut 136 and / or the spindle 133. The spacer 160 occupies a space of desired size in the piston bore 116 to reduce the amount of fluid required for braking. The disc-shaped spring 140 may be arranged between the spacer 160 and the spindle 133. For example, the disc-shaped spring 140 is arranged between an end of the spacer 160 facing the spindle 133 and a surface of the projecting part 134 of the spindle 133 facing the spindle nut 136.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the disc-shaped spring 140 can prevent the brake piston 110 from striking the spindle / nut assembly 130 hard and ensure a soft stop. The disc-shaped spring 140 can reduce the shock to the brake system 100, increase the durability of the spindle / nut assembly 130, and reduce the cost of the brake system 100.

[0060] Although the embodiments have been described in detail, it should be clarified that various changes, replacements and modifications can be made herein without deviating from the idea and scope of the application as defined by the attached claims.

[0061] Furthermore, the scope of the present application is not to be limited to the specific embodiments of the process, machine, manufacturing method, material composition, means, methods, and steps described herein. As a person skilled in the art can readily deduce from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, means, methods, or steps that already exist or are yet to be developed and that perform essentially the same function or achieve essentially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be used in accordance with the embodiments and alternative embodiments. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include, within their scope, such processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

Brake system (100), comprising: a brake caliper housing (103) in which a bore (104) is formed; a brake piston (110) which is slidably positioned in the bore (104) of the brake caliper housing (103); and a spindle / nut assembly (130) associated with the brake piston (110), wherein the spindle / nut assembly (130) comprises: a spindle (133); a spindle nut (136) which is operatively engaged with the spindle (133);and a disc-like spring (140) comprising a curved plate (142) radially surrounding the spindle (133), wherein the disc-like spring (140) is arranged between an end of the spindle nut (136) and a projecting part (134) of the spindle (133) to provide a spring force between the spindle nut (136) and the spindle (133), wherein the disc-like spring (140) comprises a curved disc, the curved disc being asymmetrically curved, with one place of the disc being curved towards the spindle (133) and another place of the disc being curved towards the spindle nut (136), such that in an uncompressed state the disc is not parallel to a surface of the projecting part (134) of the spindle (133) facing the disc and / or to a surface of the spindle nut (136) that may contact the disc. Brake system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the protruding part (134) of the spindle (133) comprises a flange (134) which is formed or positioned on the spindle (133). Braking system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like spring (140) is designed to provide the spring force against a movement of the spindle nut (136) directed towards the spindle (133). Braking system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the spindle (133) is designed to be driven in a rotary manner, and the spindle nut (136) is designed to be movable in a linear direction in response to a rotary movement of the spindle (133). Braking system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the spindle nut (136) is designed to be driven in a rotary manner, and the spindle (133) is designed to be movable in a linear direction in response to a rotary movement of the spindle nut (136). Brake system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the disc-like spring (140) comprises a plurality of curved disc plates (140) stacked on top of each other. Brake system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: the spindle (133) comprises a flange (134), and the disc-shaped spring (140) is arranged between an end of the spindle nut (136) facing the spindle (133) and a surface of the flange (134) of the spindle (133) facing the spindle nut (136).

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