Ornamental plate for a disc brake caliper

Abstract

Ornamental plate 5 for a caliper 1 of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, the ornamental plate 5 comprising a decorated outer face 13 and an inner face, configured to be attached to the caliper 1, the inner face having a means for attaching to the caliper 1, the means for attaching comprising: - a protrusion formed from the material of the inner face of the ornamental plate 5, and - a portion for attaching to the caliper, made of a material capable of softening when heated, and thus being moldable, and being attached to the protrusion by molding, the portion for attaching to the caliper being configured to be inserted into an opening in the caliper 1 for attaching the plate 5 to the caliper 1. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Ornamental plate for a caliper of a disc brake

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicle braking systems, more particularly to a plate intended to decorate a caliper of a disc brake for a motor vehicle. It also relates to a caliper of a disc brake comprising such a plate, to a method of manufacturing the plate, as well as to a method of installing the plate on a caliper of a disc brake.

[0002] Such a disc brake system comprises friction elements cooperating by friction respectively with two opposite faces of a disc, integral in rotation with a wheel of the vehicle. The tightening of the friction elements is carried out using a caliper, fixed or floating, equipped with a piston. The calipers mounted on the wheels are generally visible from the outside of the vehicle, leaving unsightly openings between the caliper fingers. Also, brake manufacturers or car manufacturers affix ornamental plates to the calipers in a manner known per se, so as to mask these openings, and possibly to display a distinctive sign such as a logo at this location.

[0003] Such an ornamental plate, fixed to the stirrup using screws, is already known in the state of the art, in particular from patent EPI 146245. However, this fixing system is visible from outside the vehicle, which is not aesthetic.

[0004] In order to improve the aesthetics of the ornamental plate, patent EP1881472 proposed a fixing system which is not visible from the outside. This fixing system is based on the use of leaf springs which are interposed between a tenon of the ornamental plate and a bore of the stirrup. However, this fixing system, using an added element, also has the disadvantage of not being reliable, which is disadvantageous for the safety of the vehicle.

[0005] The invention aims in particular to provide an ornamental plate for a brake caliper having a more reliable fixing system.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an ornamental plate for a caliper of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, the ornamental plate comprising a decorated outer face and an inner face, configured to be attached against the caliper, the inner face comprising a means of attachment to the caliper, the attachment means comprising: - a protrusion made of material with the inner face of the ornamental plate, and - a part for hanging on the stirrup, made of a material capable of softening when heated, and thereby be shaped, such as a thermoplastic polymer material, and being secured to the protrusion by molding, the gripping portion being configured to be inserted into an orifice of the stirrup for fixing the plate to the stirrup.

[0007] Thus, the protrusion provided on the inside of the plate serves as a support for a hooking part secured by molding and carrying out the function of hooking onto the stirrup. The fixing system does not involve added means, separate from the plate and the stirrup, as could be for example a screw, there is therefore no risk of loss of a fixing part, due to vibrations or shocks. The fixing system is therefore reliable and the safety of the vehicle comprising such an ornamental plate is improved. There is also no risk of damaging the plate, as for example when using a tool for tightening the plate, which is likely to scratch the plate. Furthermore, in addition to the improved safety, there is a more aesthetic plate since the fixing means is invisible from the external face of the plate. Finally, the protrusion and the hooking part, secured by molding, are assembled in a stable manner.This assembly is more resistant to shocks and vibrations, for example, than an assembly by gluing or screwing. This assembly also has the advantage, compared to the assembly by screwing, of being simpler. This assembly is in fact less restrictive than screwing. In particular, there is no risk of scratching the painted plate, especially with a screwdriver bit.

[0008] It is understood that the ornamental plate is a piece having a thickness much smaller than its length and width. The inner and outer faces of the plate are separated from each other by the thickness of the plate.

[0009] The protrusion is integral with the inner face of the plate, that is to say that the inner face of the plate and the protrusion are made from a single piece and from the same material. The protrusion and the plate therefore constitute a single block. Preferably, the plate comprises a single-piece plate including the protrusion, possibly coated with a decoration on its outer face. Also preferably, the inner face of the plate and the protrusion are integrally molded.

[0010] The term “polymer material” means a material containing predominantly one or more polymers.

[0011] It is understood that the attachment part is secured to the protuberance in a permanent and non-removable manner. On the other hand, the fixing means on the stirrup does not necessarily ensure a permanent fixing, on the contrary it is preferably a reversible or removable fixing.

[0012] According to other optional characteristics of the ornamental plate taken alone or in technically admissible combination:

[0013] - The attachment part is elastically deformable. This allows easy fixing and without tools, in one movement, the ornamental plate on the stirrup. The plate can thus be fixed by snapping and / or by clamping on the stirrup.

[0014] - Alternatively, the attachment portion is configured to provide reversible attachment. on the stirrup. The plate is therefore easily fixed and removed, by a simple axial movement.

[0015] - The hooking portion is configured to be inserted into a bore of a finger of the stirrup. The plate can thus be easily fixed to the stirrup, using as many fixing means as there are stirrup fingers, each attached to one of the stirrup fingers. Thus, advantageously, the ornamental plate is a closing plate for an opening in the stirrup, which makes it possible to give a less "technical" appearance to the whole.

[0016] - The plate is made of cast aluminum. Thus, the plate can be easily decorated by paint. In addition, aluminum is resistant to high temperatures. The cast aluminum plate therefore supports the molding of the polymer material part without deformation.

[0017] - The plate is made from polymer material. It is thus possible in one single step of manufacturing the plate and the attachment part, by a bi-injection process. For the manufacture of the plate, it is advantageous to choose an inexpensive material, presenting the necessary rigidity.

[0018] - The hooking part is overmolded onto the protrusion. The overmolding is a particularly effective technique for securing the protrusion and the attachment part.

[0019] - The protuberance has an anchoring shape facilitating the attachment of the material polymer of the attachment part during overmolding. The assembly between the protrusion and the attachment part is thus improved. The anchoring shape is for example constituted by, or comprises, at least one peripheral groove extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the protuberance. It is understood that the longitudinal axis of the protuberance corresponds to a main axis of the protuberance, generally extending perpendicular to the inner face of the plate. It may also be constituted by, or comprise, at least one longitudinal peripheral rib, or at least one peripheral groove or rib in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the protuberance, grooves, crenellations, a through hole, or a combination of these shapes.

[0020] - The hooking part comprises two elastically deformable arms capable of deform by approaching each other when the fixing means is introduced into the hole in the stirrup and to ensure the fixing of the plate by pressure of the arms against a tubular wall of the hole under the effect of their elastic return force, or by an axial shoulder of the hole against which the elastic arms come into abutment when they move away from each other to resume an undeformed configuration. With this simple shape, it is therefore possible to ensure fixing by radial tightening or by abutment.

[0021] - The hooking part comprises one or more radial projections capable of deforming in compression when the fixing means is introduced into the hole of the stirrup and to ensure the fixing of the plate by radial clamping against a tubular wall of the hole under the effect of their elastic return force, or by an axial shoulder of the hole against which a radial projection comes into abutment when it resumes an undeformed configuration. It is therefore possible, with this simple shape, to ensure fixing by radial clamping, for example via a shape called "fir tree", or by abutment.

[0022] - The hooking part comprises an end arranged on the side of the gold plate nemental and an opposite end, and comprising in the vicinity of the opposite end an axial shoulder intended to come into abutment against a complementary axial shoulder of the stirrup. This makes it possible to further increase the reliability of the fixing.

[0023] - The attachment part comprises PolyTetraFluoroEthene. PolyTetraFluo- roEthène (PTFE, Teflon) is able to withstand high temperatures, while maintaining its elasticity. Thus, the gripping part has these advantageous characteristics.

[0024] The invention also relates to a caliper for a disc brake of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an ornamental plaque as described above, - on an external face an orifice into which the means of fixing the ornamental plate is inserted, preferably a bore made in a finger of the stirrup.

[0025] The term “external face” of the caliper means a face visible from the outside of the vehicle, when the ornamental plate is not mounted on the caliper.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an ornamental plate as described above, comprising the following steps: - manufacture of the ornamental plate including the protuberance, - securing the attachment part to the protrusion by molding, preferably by overmolding the attachment part onto the protrusion. Alternatively, the attachment part can be co-molded by bi-injection with the ornamental plate.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method of installing an ornamental plate as described above, on a caliper of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - machining of an external face of the caliper to create a bore forming the caliper hole, - insertion of the means of fixing the ornamental plate into said orifice and formation of the attachment zone so as to axially block the fixing means in the orifice. Brief description of the figures

[0028] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a section of a disc brake caliper according to an embodiment of the invention, on which an ornamental plate according to an embodiment of the invention is attached.

[0030] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the stirrup of [Fig.l], from its face facing towards the exterior of the vehicle.

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of different components of a gold plate national according to an embodiment of the invention, before their joining.

[0032] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an ornamental plaque according to a method of rea lization of the invention, after joining the constituents represented in [Fig.3].

[0033] [Fig.5] is a view of a detail of [Fig.3].

[0034] [Fig.6] is a front view of the stirrup of [Fig.2], from its face facing towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0035] [Fig.7] is a section view along AA of [Fig.6].

[0036] [Fig.8] is a section view along BB of [Fig.6].

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 show a floating caliper of a disc brake of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, designated by the general reference 1. In [Fig.l], three fingers 3 of the caliper 1 are shown. The caliper 1 comprises an ornamental plate 5 according to an embodiment of the invention. In [Fig.l], the caliper 1 is seen from its internal face 7, which corresponds to its face facing the interior of the vehicle. In [Fig. 2], the stirrup 1 is seen from its external face 9, opposite the internal face 7. The external face 9 is a face visible from the outside of the vehicle when the ornamental plate 5 is not mounted on the stirrup 1. In [Fig. 2], only the part of the external face 9 which is not covered by the ornamental plate 5 is seen. In [Fig. 1], the ornamental plate 5 is seen from the side of its internal face 11. The internal face 11 of the ornamental plate 5 is configured to be attached against the stirrup 1.In [Fig. 2], the ornamental plate 5 is seen from the side of its outer face 13, which is a decorated face. The stirrup 1 comprises on its outer face 9 orifices 15. The inner face 11 of the ornamental plate 5 comprises means 17 for fixing to the stirrup 1. In each orifice 15 is inserted a means 17 for fixing the ornamental plate 5. In the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the orifice 15 is a bore made in a finger 3 of the stirrup 1.

[0038] The ornamental plate 5 shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprises protrusions protrusions 19 integral with the inner face 11 of the ornamental plate 5, and attachment parts 21 on the stirrup 1, which is not shown in these figures. The attachment parts 21 are made of a polymer material, for example a thermoplastic, and are each secured to a protrusion 19 by molding. The attachment part 21 is configured to be inserted into an orifice 15 of the stirrup for fixing the plate 5 on the stirrup 1.

[0039] In the embodiment of figures 3 and 4, the attachment part 21 is elastically deformable.

[0040] In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the ornamental plate is made of cast aluminum. In an embodiment not shown, it is made from polymer material.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the attachment part 21 is overmolded onto the protuberance 19.

[0042] [Fig. 5] shows in detail a protrusion 19 of [Fig. 3]. The protrusion 19 has an anchoring shape 23 which facilitates the attachment of the polymer material of the attachment part 21 during overmolding. In the embodiment shown, the anchoring shape 23 consists of three peripheral grooves 25 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion 19, which longitudinal axis corresponds to a main axis of the protrusion 19. In other embodiments, not shown, the anchoring shape is constituted by, or comprises, at least one longitudinal peripheral rib, or at least one peripheral groove or rib of direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion, grooves, slots, a through hole, or a combination of these shapes.

[0043] The ornamental plate 5 of [Fig.4] comprises two hanging parts 21 of different shapes.

[0044] The attachment part 21a comprises two elastically deformable arms 27. The arms 27 are capable of deforming by moving towards each other when the fixing means 17 is introduced into the orifice 15 of the stirrup 1 and of ensuring the fixing of the plate 5 by an axial shoulder 39 of the orifice 15, visible in FIGS. 7 and 8, shoulder 39 against which the elastic arms 27 come into abutment when they move away from each other to resume an undeformed configuration. In this embodiment, the attachment part 21a comprises an end 33 arranged on the side of the ornamental plate 5 and an opposite end 35, and comprises in the vicinity of the opposite end 35 an axial shoulder 37 intended to come into abutment against the complementary axial shoulder 39 of the stirrup.In an embodiment not shown, the elastic arms ensure the fixing of the plate 5 by pressure of the arms 27 against a tubular wall 29 of the orifice 15 under the effect of their elastic return force.

[0045] The attachment part 21b comprises one or more radial projections 31 capable of deforming in compression when the fixing means 17 is introduced into the orifice 15 of the stirrup 1 and of ensuring the fixing of the plate 5 by the axial shoulder 39 of the orifice 15 against which a radial projection 31 abuts when it resumes an undeformed configuration. In an embodiment not shown, the radial projections ensure the fixing by radial clamping against a tubular wall 29 of the orifice 15 under the effect of their elastic return force.

[0046] In the embodiment of [Fig.4], the attachment part 21, 21a, 21b comprises PolyTetraFluoroEthene.

[0047] An ornamental plate 5 as described above is manufactured according to a method which comprises the following steps: - manufacturing the ornamental plate 5 comprising the protuberance 19, - securing the attachment part 21, 21a, 21b on the protuberance 19 by molding, preferably by overmolding the attachment part 21, 21a, 21b on the protuberance 19.

[0048] An ornamental plate 5 as described above is installed on a caliper of a disc brake of a motor vehicle according to a method which comprises the following steps:

[0049] - machining of an external face 9 of the stirrup 1 to produce a bore 15 forming the hole of the stirrup 1, - insertion of the fixing means 17 of the ornamental plate 5 into said orifice 15 and deformation of the attachment part 21, 21a, 21b so as to axially block the fixing means 17 in the orifice 15.

[0050] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and other embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art. Although the embodiments shown relate to a floating stirrup, in other embodiments the invention is implemented for a fixed stirrup. In embodiments not shown, the stirrup comprises a number of fingers other than three, for example two. Similarly, the orifices in which the fixing means are inserted are located in any part of the external face of the stirrup, and those skilled in the art will naturally envisage locations other than in the fingers of the stirrup. Furthermore, the number of fixing means and orifices is at least one and is not limited to two fixing means in two orifices. Also in embodiments not shown, the anchoring shape comprises at least one peripheral groove, and the number of peripheral grooves is not limited to three. List of references

[0051] 1: disc brake caliper 3: stirrup finger 5: ornamental plate 7: internal face of the stirrup 9: external face of the stirrup 11: inner face of the ornamental plate 13: outer face of the ornamental plate 15: hole on the external face of the stirrup 17: means of fixing the ornamental plate 19: protuberance 21: hook part 23: anchor form 25: peripheral groove 27: elastically deformable arm 29: tubular wall of the orifice 31: radial projection 33: end of the side of the plate 35: opposite end 37: shoulder of the hanging part 39: shoulder of the stirrup

Claims

Claims

1. Ornamental plate (5) for a caliper (1) of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, the ornamental plate (5) comprising a decorated outer face (13) and an inner face (11), configured to be attached against the caliper (1), the inner face (11) comprising a means (17) for fixing to the caliper (1), the fixing means (17) comprising: - a protuberance (19) integral with the inner face (11) of the ornamental plate (5), and - a hooking portion (21, 21a, 21b) on the caliper, made of a material capable of softening when heated, and thus being shaped, such as a thermoplastic polymer material, and being secured to the protuberance (19) by molding, the hooking portion (21, 21a, 21b) being configured to be inserted into an orifice (15) of the stirrup (1) for fixing the plate (5) on the stirrup.

2. Ornamental plate (5) according to the preceding claim, in which the hooking part (21, 21a, 21b) is elastically deformable.

3. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the hooking part (21, 21a, 21b) is configured to provide reversible fixing on the stirrup (1).

4. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hooking portion (21, 21a, 21b) is configured to be inserted into a bore (15) of a finger (3) of the stirrup (1).

5. An ornamental plate (5) according to any preceding claim, the plate (5) being made of cast aluminum.

6. An ornamental plate (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the plate (5) being made from polymeric material.

7. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, the hooking part (21, 21a, 21b) being overmolded onto the protuberance (19).

8. Ornamental plate (5) according to the preceding claim, the protuberance (19) having an anchoring shape (23) facilitating the attachment of the polymer material of the attachment part (21b) during overmolding.

9. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, the attachment part (21a) comprising two elastically deformable arms (27) capable of deforming by approaching each other when the fixing means (17) is introduced into the orifice (15) of the stirrup (1) and of ensuring the fixing of the plate (5) by pressure of the arms (27) against a tubular wall (29) of the orifice (15) under the effect of their elastic return force, or by an axial shoulder of the orifice (15) against which the elastic arms come into abutment when they move away from each other to resume an undeformed configuration.

10. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the attachment part (21b) comprising one or more radial projections (31) capable of deforming in compression when the fixing means (17) is introduced into the orifice (15) of the stirrup (1) and of ensuring the fixing of the plate (5) by radial clamping against a tubular wall (29) of the orifice (15) under the effect of their elastic return force, or by an axial shoulder of the orifice (15) against which a radial projection 31 comes into abutment when it returns to an undeformed configuration.

11. Ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, the hooking part (21, 21a, 21b) comprising an end (33) arranged on the side of the ornamental plate (5) and an opposite end (35), and comprising in the vicinity of the opposite end (35) an axial shoulder (37) intended to come into abutment against a complementary axial shoulder (39) of the stirrup.

12. Caliper (1) of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an ornamental plate (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, - on an external face (9) an orifice (15) in which the fixing means (17) of the ornamental plate (5) is inserted, preferably a bore made in a finger (3) of the caliper.

13. Method of manufacturing an ornamental plate (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: - manufacturing the ornamental plate (5) comprising the protuberance (19), - securing the attachment part (21, 21a, 21b) on the protuberance (19) by molding, preferably by overmolding the attachment part (21, 21a, 21b) on the protuberance (19).

14. Method of installing an ornamental plate (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on a caliper (1) of a disc brake of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - machining an external face (9) of the caliper (1) to produce a bore (15) forming the orifice of the caliper, - insertion of the fixing means (17) of the ornamental plate (5) into said orifice (15) and deformation of the attachment part (21, 21a, 21b) so as to axially block the fixing means (17) in the orifice (15).

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