Floating type disc brake

Abstract

To achieve a floating type disc brake device capable of achieving both reduction of the weight and securement of the rigidity of a split type caliper body.SOLUTION: A floating type disc brake device 1 comprises an inner pad, an outer pad, a support 2, and a caliper body 3. The caliper body 3 is constructed by axially connecting an inner body part 15 and an outer body part 16, and a radial cover portion 24 constituting the outer body part 16 has an opening window portion 29 that opens in each of peripheral surfaces on both radial sides and an axially inner end face. Concave portions 32a, 32b recessed in the circumferential direction are provided on radial intermediate portions of circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b constituting the inner surface of the opening window portion 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating type disc brake device. [Background technology]

[0002] Disc brake devices are widely used to brake automobiles and motorcycles. When braking with a disc brake device, a pair of pads arranged on both axial sides of a rotor that rotates with the wheel are pressed against both axial sides of the rotor by a piston. Although various structures of such disc brake devices have been known in the past, a floating type disc brake device has been widely used because of its advantages in terms of weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0003] A floating-type disc brake device includes a support fixed to the vehicle body, a caliper body supported so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the support, and an inner pad and an outer pad supported so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the support. Note that the axial direction refers to the axial direction of the rotor, unless otherwise specified.

[0004] The caliper body includes an inner body portion having a cylinder and disposed axially inside the rotor, and an outer body portion for pressing the outer pad in the axial direction. A piston is fitted inside the cylinder provided in the inner body portion for pressing the inner pad in the axial direction during braking.

[0005] When braking, pressurized oil is sent from the master cylinder to the cylinder, and the piston presses the inner pad against the axial side of the rotor. Then, as a reaction to this pressing force, the caliper body moves axially inward relative to the support. This causes the outer body portion to press the outer pad against the axial side of the rotor. As a result, the rotor is tightly clamped from both axial sides by the inner pad and outer pad, and braking is performed.

[0006] Furthermore, in the case of floating-type disc brake devices, as disclosed in JP 2012-180905 A (Patent Document 1) and other publications, it has been conventional to provide an opening window in the portion of the caliper body that covers the inner pad and outer pad from the radial outside, thereby enabling the wear conditions of the inner pad and outer pad to be checked from the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-180905 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-77633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] A split structure in which a caliper body is split into an inner body portion and an outer body portion has been known for some time, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 5-77633 (Patent Document 2). A split caliper body has an advantage that the inner body portion and the outer body portion can be made of different materials.

[0009] However, compared to an integrated caliper body in which the inner body portion and the outer body portion are integrally constructed, not only is it more difficult to ensure rigidity with a split caliper body, but it also requires connecting members to connect the inner body portion and the outer body portion, which tends to increase the weight.

[0010] On the other hand, since floating-type disc brake devices are installed closer to the road surface than the springs that constitute the suspension system of the vehicle, they are subject to what is called an unsprung load. For this reason, there is a demand for reducing the weight of the devices in order to improve the fuel efficiency and driving performance of the vehicle.

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a floating-type disc brake device equipped with a split caliper body that can achieve both weight reduction and ensure rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an inner pad, an outer pad, a support, and a caliper body. The inner pad is disposed axially inside the rotor. The outer pad is disposed axially outward of the rotor. The support is fixed to a vehicle body and supports each of the inner pad and the outer pad so as to be axially movable. The caliper body is supported so as to be axially movable relative to the support. The caliper body is configured by axially connecting an inner body portion having a cylinder and disposed axially inward of the rotor, and an outer body portion that presses the outer pad during braking. The outer body portion has a radial cover portion that is disposed radially outward of the rotor and has an axially inner end face abutted against the inner body portion. The radial cover portion has openings on both radially opposite circumferential surfaces and on the axially inner end face, and has opening window portions which function as peepholes for checking the wear conditions of the inner pad and the outer pad from the outside. A recess that is recessed in the circumferential direction is provided in a radially intermediate portion of the circumferential side surface that constitutes the inner surface of the opening window portion.

[0013] In the floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, only one open window portion may be provided in the circumferential middle portion of the radial cover portion. Alternatively, a plurality of the open windows may be provided in the radial cover portion.

[0014] In the floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the recessed portion can be provided on each of the circumferential side surfaces on both circumferential sides that define the inner surface of the open window portion. Alternatively, the recess may be provided only on one of the circumferential side surfaces constituting the inner surface of the opening window portion.

[0015] In the floating type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the axially outer end of the open window portion can be positioned axially outwardly of the rotor.

[0016] In the floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the recess may be provided over the entire axial length of the circumferential side surface of the open window portion. Alternatively, the recess may be provided only on a portion of the circumferential side surface of the opening window in the axial direction.

[0017] In a floating-type disc brake device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential opening width of the radially outer opening of the opening window portion and / or the radially inner opening of the opening window portion can be made wider toward the axially inner side in at least a portion of the opening window portion in the axial direction. In this case, the expansion of the circumferential opening width of the opening on the radially outer side of the opening window portion and / or the opening on the radially inner side of the opening window portion can also be changed depending on the axial position of the opening window portion.

[0018] In a floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the radial cover portion can have an outer peripheral side wall portion radially outside the recess, and an inner peripheral side wall portion radially inside the recess.

[0019] In a floating-type disc brake device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the radial thickness of the outer peripheral side wall portion and the radial thickness of the inner peripheral side wall portion are compared at the same circumferential position, the radial thickness of the outer peripheral side wall portion can be made greater than or equal to the radial thickness of the inner peripheral side wall portion.

[0020] In a floating type disc brake device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the circumferential protrusion amount of the outer peripheral side wall portion and the circumferential protrusion amount of the inner peripheral side wall portion are compared at the same axial position, the circumferential protrusion amount of the outer peripheral side wall portion can be made larger than the circumferential protrusion amount of the inner peripheral side wall portion.

[0021] In the floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the recess may have, in at least a portion in the circumferential direction, a region whose radial width does not change over the circumferential direction.

[0022] In a floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the recess may have, in at least a portion of its circumferential direction, a region whose radial width decreases toward the back of the recess in the circumferential direction.

[0023] In the floating type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the inner circumferential side wall portion may be provided with a water drain portion that is in radial communication with the recess.

[0024] In a floating-type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, a communication portion that is axially connected to the opening window portion can be provided in a portion of the inner body portion that axially faces the axially inner end portion of the opening window portion.

[0025] In the floating type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the axial side surface constituting the inner surface of the open window portion may have a cross shape when viewed in the axial direction.

[0026] In the floating type disc brake device according to one aspect of the present invention, the open window portion may be a cast hole. Alternatively, the open window portion may be a machined hole. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the floating type disc brake device of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and sufficient rigidity for the split caliper body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a disc brake device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the outside in the axial direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the inside in the axial direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the radially outer side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the radially inner side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the right side of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a disc brake device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the axially outer side and the radially outer side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side and the radially outer side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a disc brake device according to a first example of an embodiment, as viewed from the axially outer side and the radially inner side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a disc brake device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side and the radially inner side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the outer body portion taken out from the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a view of the outer body portion taken out from the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the radially outer side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view of the outer body portion taken out from the disc brake device according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the radially inner side. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an outer body portion taken out of a disc brake device according to a first example of an embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side and the radially outer side. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an outer body portion taken out of a disc brake device according to a first example of the embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side and the radially inner side. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a second example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a second example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a third example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a third example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a fifth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a fifth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a fifth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a sixth example of the embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an inner body portion taken out from a disc brake device according to a sixth embodiment, as viewed from the axially inner side and the radially outer side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] [First Example of Implementation] The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. FIG.

[0030] Throughout this specification and claims, unless otherwise specified, the terms "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" refer to the axial direction, radial direction, and circumferential direction of a disk-shaped rotor that rotates with the wheel. Furthermore, when the disc brake device is attached to a vehicle body, the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle body is referred to as the axial outer side, and the center side in the width direction of the vehicle body is referred to as the axial inner side. Furthermore, the center side in the circumferential direction of the disc brake device is referred to as the circumferential inner side, and both sides in the circumferential direction of the disc brake device are referred to as the circumferential outer side. Furthermore, the rotation-in side refers to the side of the circumferential outer side where the rotor enters the caliper body when the vehicle moves forward, and the rotation-out side refers to the side of the circumferential outer side where the rotor exits the caliper body when the vehicle moves forward.

[0031] [Explanation of the structure of the disc brake device] The disc brake device 1 of this embodiment is a floating type disc brake device, and includes a support 2, a caliper body 3, an inner pad 4, and an outer pad 5.

[0032] <support> The support 2 is a casting made of an iron alloy such as cast iron, and is fixed to the vehicle body. The support 2 supports a caliper body 3 so as to be axially movable, and also supports each of an inner pad 4 and an outer pad 5 so as to be axially movable.

[0033] The support 2 has a pair of guide portions 7 arranged at both circumferentially outer ends, an inner-side circumferential connecting portion 8 arranged axially inside the rotor 6 (see FIG. 3) and extending in the circumferential direction, and an outer-side circumferential connecting portion 9 arranged axially outside the rotor 6 and extending in the circumferential direction. The support 2 is fixed to a suspension device constituting a vehicle body by utilizing a pair of fixing holes 10 provided at both circumferentially outer ends of the inner-side circumferential connecting portion 8. When implementing the present invention, the outer-side circumferential connecting portion 9 may be omitted from the support 2.

[0034] Each of the pair of guide portions 7 has an inverted U-shape when viewed in the circumferential direction, and is disposed so as to straddle the rotor 6 from the radially outer side. Each of the pair of guide portions 7 includes an inner guide portion 11 for supporting the inner pad 4 so as to be movably in the axial direction, an outer guide portion 12 for supporting the outer pad 5 so as to be movably in the axial direction, and a caliper guide portion 13 that axially connects the radially outer ends of the inner guide portion 11 and the outer guide portion 12.

[0035] The inner guide portion 11 is disposed axially inward of the rotor 6 and extends radially. A radially inner end of the inner guide portion 11 is connected to a circumferentially outer end of the inner-side circumferential connecting portion 8.

[0036] The outer guide portion 12 is disposed axially outward of the rotor 6 and extends radially. A radially inner end of the outer guide portion 12 is connected to a circumferentially outer end of the outer-side circumferential connecting portion 9.

[0037] The caliper guide portion 13 is disposed radially outward of the rotor 6 and extends in the axial direction. A support hole 44 extending in the axial direction is provided inside the caliper guide portion 13. A tip half of a slide pin 14 described later is slidably inserted into the support hole 44.

[0038] <Caliper body> The caliper body 3 is supported by a pair of slide pins 14 so as to be axially movable relative to the support 2 .

[0039] The caliper body 3 in this example has a divided structure rather than an integral structure. That is, the caliper body 3 is configured by connecting an inner body portion 15 and an outer body portion 16, which are configured separately from each other, in the axial direction by a plurality of connecting members 17a, 17b (a total of four in the illustrated example).

[0040] The multiple connecting members 17a, 17b are arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Of the multiple connecting members 17a, 17b, a pair of connecting members 17a arranged on both circumferentially outer sides connect both circumferentially outer ends of the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 in the axial direction, and the remaining connecting member 17b connects circumferentially inner (near the center) portions of the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 in the axial direction. Note that, when implementing the present invention, the number of connecting members is not particularly limited.

[0041] The inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 can be made of different materials or the same material. In this example, both the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 are made of an aluminum alloy, but they can also be made of an iron alloy or other materials. Furthermore, one of the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 can be made of an aluminum alloy, and the other of the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 can be made of an iron alloy or other materials.

[0042] Inner Body Department The inner body portion 15 is disposed axially inward of the rotor 6. The inner body portion 15 has two cylinders 18, a pair of circumferential arm portions 19a, 19b, a pair of radial protrusion portions 20a, 20b, and a communication portion 21. When carrying out the present invention, the number of cylinders provided in the inner body portion is not particularly limited, and may be one or three or more.

[0043] The two cylinders 18 are provided on the circumferential inner side (middle part) of the inner body portion 15. The two cylinders 18 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction with their respective central axes parallel to the central axis of the rotor 6. The cylinders 18 have a substantially cylindrical shape and are open only to the outside in the axial direction. A piston (not shown) is fitted inside the cylinder 18 so as to be axially movable.

[0044] A pair of circumferential arms 19a, 19b are provided on both circumferential outer parts of the inner body part 15, sandwiching the two cylinders 18 in the circumferential direction. The circumferential arm 19a arranged on the rotation-in side extends from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 18 arranged on the rotation-in side toward the rotation-in side, and the circumferential arm 19b arranged on the rotation-out side extends from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 18 arranged on the rotation-out side toward the rotation-out side.

[0045] The pair of radial protrusions 20a, 20b are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and are disposed on the circumferential inner side of the inner body portion 15. Each of the radial protrusions 20a, 20b is disposed radially outward of an axially outer side of the cylinder 18.

[0046] Each of the radial protrusions 20a, 20b is configured in a flat plate shape and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 18. The axially outer surfaces of the radial protrusions 20a, 20b are flat surfaces.

[0047] The radial protrusions 20a, 20b are connected in the circumferential direction by a connecting plate portion 22. The connecting plate portion 22 is disposed between the radial protrusions 20a, 20b in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the connecting plate portion 22 is disposed in a range from a radial inner portion to a radial middle portion of the portion between the radial protrusions 20a, 20b in the circumferential direction.

[0048] The communicating portion 21 is provided on the radially outer side between the radial protruding portions 20a, 20b in the circumferential direction. In other words, the communicating portion 21 is disposed radially outward of the connecting plate portion 22. The communicating portion 21 opens on both axial sides and radially outward of the inner body portion 15. The communicating portion 21 is provided in a portion facing an axially inner end of an opening window portion 29 (described later) provided in the outer body portion 16, and communicates with the opening window portion 29 in the axial direction. The circumferential width of the communicating portion 21 is approximately the same as the circumferential width of the axially inner end of the opening window portion 29.

[0049] Outer body part The outer body portion 16 has a generally bow-shaped axial covering portion 23 arranged axially outward of the outer pad 5, and a partially cylindrical radial covering portion 24 arranged radially outward of the rotor 6. The outer body portion 16 has a generally L-shaped cross section with respect to an imaginary plane including the central axis of the rotor 6. The axial covering portion 23 and the radial covering portion 24 are integrally formed.

[0050] The axial cover portion 23 is configured in a generally arched flat plate shape, and directly presses the outer pad 5 in the axial direction during braking.

[0051] Both circumferential outer parts of the axial cover part 23 protrude circumferentially outward beyond the pair of guide parts 7. As a result, the axial cover part 23 covers the pair of guide parts 7 from the axially outer side. In this example, the circumferential dimension of the axial cover part 23 is made larger than the circumferential dimension of the support 2, thereby ensuring a large design surface formed by the axially outer surface of the axial cover part 23.

[0052] The axial cover portion 23 has a protruding portion 25 on the circumferentially inner portion of its axially inner surface. An abutment protrusion 26 that protrudes axially inward is provided on the axially inner surface (tip surface) of the protruding portion 25. In the illustrated example, the abutment protrusion 26 has a substantially lattice shape. The abutment protrusion 26 abuts against the axially outer surface (back surface) of the back plate 40b that constitutes the outer pad 5 via a shim plate 43 during braking.

[0053] The axial covering portion 23 has a pair of relief recesses 27 on both circumferential outer portions of the protruding portion 25 of its axial inner surface. The relief recesses 27 are provided in portions of the axial inner surface of the axial covering portion 23 that axially face the pair of outer guide portions 12 constituting the support 2 and their adjacent portions.

[0054] When the inner pad 4 and the outer pad 5 wear and the caliper body 3 moves axially inward relative to the support 2, the axially outer portion of the outer guide portion 12 enters the inside of the relief recess 27. With this configuration, interference between the outer guide portion 12 and the outer body portion 16 is prevented.

[0055] The radial covering portion 24 has a partial cylindrical shape and extends axially inward from the outer circumferential edge portion of the axial covering portion 23. The radial covering portion 24 covers the pair of guide portions 7 constituting the support 2, a circumferential portion of the rotor 6, and both the inner and outer pads 4, 5 from the radial outside. The circumferential dimension of the radial covering portion 24 is the same as the circumferential dimension of the inner body portion 15.

[0056] The radial cover portion 24 has attachment holes (screw holes) 28 for fixing the tip ends of the connecting members 17a, 17b at multiple locations in the circumferential direction (four locations in the illustrated example). The attachment holes 28 open on the end face of the radial cover portion 24 on the inner side in the axial direction.

[0057] (Opening window) The radial cover portion 24 has an opening window portion 29 that functions as a sight window so that the wear conditions of the inner pad 4 and the outer pad 5 can be checked from the outside.

[0058] The open window portion 29 is provided in a range from the axially inner end portion to the axially middle portion of the radial covering portion 24, and opens on both radially opposite peripheral surfaces and the axially inner end face of the radial covering portion 24. The open window portion 29 is a notch extending in the axial direction.

[0059] Only one open window portion 29 is provided in the circumferential center portion of the radial cover portion 24 .

[0060] In this example, the opening on the radially outer side of the open window portion 29 and the opening on the radially inner side of the open window portion 29 have the same opening shape.

[0061] The openings on both radial sides of the open window portion 29 are generally funnel-shaped when viewed in the radial direction, and have a generally Y-shaped (or generally V-shaped) contour.

[0062] The circumferential opening width (W 29 ) is the entire axial length of the opening window 29, and becomes wider toward the inside in the axial direction. However, the expansion of the opening width in the circumferential direction is not constant along the axial direction, but changes depending on the axial position of the opening window 29. Specifically, the opening angle corresponding to the expansion of the opening width in the circumferential direction is larger in the axial inner half of the opening window 29 than in the axial outer half of the opening window 29. In the illustrated example, the opening angle of the axial outer half of the opening window 29 is approximately 5 degrees, while the opening angle of the axial inner half of the opening window 29 is approximately 35 degrees.

[0063] In this example, the openings on both radial sides of the open window portion 29 have symmetrical shapes with respect to the circumferential direction.

[0064] The axially outer end portion, which is the closed end of the open window portion 29, is located axially outer than the rotor 6. Specifically, the axially outer end portion of the open window portion 29 is located axially outer by about several millimeters than the axially outer surface of the rotor 6. Therefore, it is possible to check not only the wear state of the inner pad 4 but also the wear state of the outer pad 5 through the open window portion 29.

[0065] The inner surface of the open window portion 29 is composed of a pair of circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b arranged opposite to each other in the circumferential direction, and one axial side surface 31 facing inward in the axial direction.

[0066] Each of the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane P that includes the central axis of the rotor 6 and passes through the circumferential center of the radial cover portion 24. Specifically, the circumferential side surface 30a arranged on the rotation-in side is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P in a direction toward the rotation-in side as it moves axially inward. Moreover, the circumferential side surface 30b arranged on the rotation-out side is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P in a direction toward the rotation-out side as it moves axially inward. For this reason, the circumferential opening width of the opening of the opening window portion 29 becomes wider as it moves axially inward.

[0067] The radially middle portions of the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b are provided with circumferentially recessed recesses 32a, 32b. That is, the radially middle portion of the circumferential side surface 30a arranged on the rotation-in side is provided with the recess 32a recessed toward the rotation-in side, and the radially middle portion of the circumferential side surface 30b arranged on the rotation-out side is provided with the recess 32b recessed toward the rotation-out side.

[0068] The recesses 32a, 32b are provided on the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b over the entire axial length of each of the recesses 32a, 32b. 32 ) is constant along the axial direction.

[0069] The cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 32a and 32b in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rotor 6 are substantially constant along the axial direction. The cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 32a and 32b are the same except that they are oriented in opposite directions with respect to the circumferential direction. In this example, each of the recesses 32a and 32b has a substantially semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape.

[0070] The inner surfaces of the recesses 32a, 32b form radially intermediate portions of the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b. The cross-sectional shape of the inner surfaces of the recesses 32a, 32b with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rotor 6 is substantially C-shaped or substantially U-shaped.

[0071] In this example, the inner surface of each of the recesses 32a, 32b consists of an outer flat surface portion 33 facing radially inward, an inner flat surface portion 34 facing radially outward, a flat bottom surface portion 35 facing circumferentially inward, and two concave corner portions 36a, 36b.

[0072] In this embodiment, the outer flat surface portion 33 and the inner flat surface portion 34 are disposed substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, the recesses 32a and 32b have a radial width (R 32 ) has a region where it does not change in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The radially outer corner portion 36a curves inward in the radial direction as it moves outward in the circumferential direction, smoothly connecting the outer flat surface portion 33 and the bottom surface portion 35. In contrast, the radially inner corner portion 36b curves inward in the radial direction as it moves outward in the circumferential direction, smoothly connecting the inner flat surface portion 34 and the bottom surface portion 35. For this reason, the recesses 32a, 32b have a radial width (R 32 ) has a region in which the area becomes smaller toward the back side of the recesses 32a, 32b in the circumferential direction. When implementing the present invention, the entire inner surfaces of the recesses 32a, 32b may be formed from concave curved surfaces.

[0074] In this example, recesses 32a, 32b are formed in the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b that form the inner surface of the opening window portion 29, so that the portions of the radial cover portion 24 that are present on both circumferential sides of the opening window portion 29 have an approximately C-shaped (approximately U-shaped) cross-sectional shape with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rotor 6.

[0075] The radial cover portion 24 has an outer peripheral side wall portion 37a on the radial outside of the recess 32a, and has an inner peripheral side wall portion 38a on the radial inside of the recess 32a.

[0076] The outer circumferential wall portion 37a covers the recessed portion 32a from the radially outer side and protrudes in the circumferential direction toward the rotation outlet side. The inner circumferential wall portion 38a covers the recessed portion 32a from the radially inner side and protrudes in the circumferential direction toward the rotation outlet side.

[0077] The circumferentially inner end face (end face on the outlet side) of the outer circumferential side wall portion 37a constitutes the radially outer portion of the circumferential side surface 30a. The inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential side wall portion 37a constitutes the outer flat surface portion 33 and the radially outer corner portion 36a of the inner surface of the recess 32a. In contrast, the circumferentially inner end face (end face on the outlet side) of the inner circumferential side wall portion 38a constitutes the radially inner portion of the circumferential side surface 30a. The outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential side wall portion 38a constitutes the inner flat surface portion 34 and the radially inner corner portion 36b of the inner surface of the recess 32a.

[0078] Further, the radial cover portion 24 has an outer peripheral side wall portion 37b on the radial outside of the recess 32b, and has an inner peripheral side wall portion 38b on the radial inside of the recess 32b.

[0079] The outer circumferential side wall portion 37b covers the recessed portion 32b from the radially outer side and protrudes in the circumferential direction toward the rotation-in side. The inner circumferential side wall portion 38b covers the recessed portion 32b from the radially inner side and protrudes in the circumferential direction toward the rotation-in side.

[0080] Therefore, the pair of outer peripheral side walls 37a, 37b protrude toward each other in the circumferential direction and form a radially outer opening of the opening window 29. The pair of inner peripheral side walls 38a, 38b protrude toward each other in the circumferential direction and form a radially inner opening of the opening window 29.

[0081] The circumferentially inner end face (end face on the turn-in side) of the outer circumferential side wall portion 37b constitutes the radially outer portion of the circumferential side surface 30b. The inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential side wall portion 37b constitutes the outer flat surface portion 33 and the radially outer corner portion 36a of the inner surface of the recess 32b. In contrast, the circumferentially inner end face (end face on the turn-in side) of the inner circumferential side wall portion 38b constitutes the radially inner portion of the circumferential side surface 30b. The outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential side wall portion 38b constitutes the inner flat surface portion 34 and the radially inner corner portion 36b of the inner surface of the recess 32b.

[0082] In this example, the cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 32a and 32b are the same, so that the outer peripheral wall portion 37a arranged on the inlet side and the outer peripheral wall portion 37b arranged on the outlet side have symmetrical shapes in the circumferential direction. Also, the inner peripheral wall portion 38a arranged on the inlet side and the inner peripheral wall portion 38b arranged on the outlet side have symmetrical shapes in the circumferential direction.

[0083] In this example, the openings on the radially outer side of the open window portion 29 and the openings on the radially inner side of the open window portion 29 have the same opening shape, so the circumferential projection amount (L 37a , L 38a ) are the same as each other (L 37a =L 38a Similarly, the circumferential projection amount (L 37b , L 38b ) are the same as each other (L 37b =L 38b ).

[0084] In this example, the radial thickness (T 37a , T 38a ) are the same as each other (T 37a =T 38a Similarly, the radial thickness (T 37b , T 38b ) are the same as each other (T 37b =T 38bHowever, when implementing the present invention, the radial thickness of the outer circumferential side wall portion may be greater than the radial thickness of the inner circumferential side wall portion.

[0085] An axial side surface 31 constituting the inner surface of the open window portion 29 connects the axially outer ends of the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b to each other. The circumferential width of the radially intermediate portion of the axial side surface 31 is larger than the circumferential widths of the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion by the amount of the recesses 32a, 32b, and the axial side surface 31 has a substantially cross shape as viewed in the axial direction.

[0086] In this example, the open window 29 is formed when the outer body portion 16 is manufactured by casting. That is, a core having an outer surface shape that matches the inner surface shape of the open window 29 is placed in the portion of the cavity of the mold where the open window 29 is to be formed, and the core is pulled out axially inward to form the open window 29. Therefore, the open window 29 in this example is a cast hole.

[0087] The outer body portion 16, which is composed of the axial cover portion 23 and the radial cover portion 24, is fixed to the axial outside of the inner body portion 15 by using the connecting members 17a, 17b, each of which is a bolt. Specifically, the tip end of the connecting member 17a, which is axially inserted through each of the circumferential arm portions 19a, 19b of the inner body portion 15, is screwed into a mounting hole 28 provided on the circumferential outside of the radial cover portion 24 of the outer body portion 16, and the tip end of the connecting member 17b, which is axially inserted through each of the radial protrusions 20a, 20b of the inner body portion 15, is screwed into a mounting hole 28 provided on the circumferential inside of the radial cover portion 24 of the outer body portion 16. In this way, the outer body portion 16 is connected to the axial outside of the inner body portion 15 by using the connecting members 17a, 17b.

[0088] With the inner body portion 15 and the outer body portion 16 connected together, the communication portion 21 provided in the inner body portion 15 communicates with the radially outer portion of the open window portion 29 provided in the outer body portion 16 in the axial direction. A large portion of the opening on the axially inner side of the open window portion 29 (the radially middle portion to the radially inner portion) is blocked by the connecting plate portion 22.

[0089] The caliper body 3 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the support 2. For this purpose, a base end of a slide pin 14 is fixed to each of the circumferential middle parts of the circumferential arm parts 19a, 19b constituting the inner body part 15, and a tip half of the slide pin 14 is inserted into a support hole 44 formed in the caliper guide part 13 constituting the support 2 so as to be capable of relative displacement (sliding) in the axial direction.

[0090] <Inner pad and outer pad> The inner pad 4 includes a lining 39a, a back plate 40a, and a shim plate 43. In the illustrated example, two shim plates 43 are overlapped on the rear surface side of the back plate 40a.

[0091] The inner pad 4 is supported between a pair of inner guide parts 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction by engaging the ear parts provided at both outer circumferential ends of the back plate 40a with the inner guide grooves provided on the circumferential inner surfaces of the inner guide parts 11 in a concave-convex manner.

[0092] The outer pad 5 includes a lining 39 b , a back plate 40 b , and a shim plate 43 . In the illustrated example, two shim plates 43 are overlapped on the rear surface side of the back plate 40b.

[0093] The outer pad 5 is supported between a pair of outer guide parts 12 so as to be movable in the axial direction by engaging the ear parts provided at both outer circumferential ends of the back plate 40b with the outer guide grooves provided on the circumferential inner surfaces of the outer guide parts 12 in a concave-convex manner.

[0094] Pad clips 41a are sandwiched between both circumferential outer surfaces of the back plate 40a constituting the inner pad 4 and the respective circumferential inner surfaces of the pair of inner guide parts 11. In addition, pad clips 41b are sandwiched between both circumferential outer surfaces of the back plate 40b constituting the outer pad 5 and the respective circumferential inner surfaces of the pair of outer guide parts 12. This allows the inner pad 4 and the outer pad 5 to move smoothly in the axial direction.

[0095] [Explanation of the operation of the disc brake device] To perform braking using the disc brake device 1 of this embodiment, pressure oil is sent from a master cylinder to the cylinder 18 of the caliper body 3. This pushes a piston (not shown) outward in the axial direction. The piston then presses the inner pad 4 against the axially inner side surface of the rotor 6, moving the caliper body 3 inward in the axial direction relative to the support 2. This causes the contact protrusion 26 of the protruding portion 25 provided on the axial cover portion 23 constituting the caliper body 3 to be pressed against the back surface of the back plate 40b constituting the outer pad 5 via the shim plate 43. This presses the outer pad 5 against the axially outer side surface of the rotor 6. As a result, the rotor 6 is tightly clamped from both axial sides by the inner pad 4 and the outer pad 5, performing braking.

[0096] When braking is released, pressure oil is discharged from the cylinder 18 of the caliper body 3. As a result, the piston is pulled back (rolled back) toward the back side (axially inward) of the cylinder 18 by the elastic restoring force of a piston seal (not shown) fitted around the piston, ensuring a clearance between the inner pad 4 and the axially inner surface of the rotor 6. As a result, the caliper body 3 moves slightly axially outward relative to the support 2, ensuring a clearance between the outer pad 5 and the axially outer surface of the rotor 6.

[0097] According to the disc brake device 1 of this embodiment as described above, with respect to the split caliper body 3, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and sufficient rigidity.

[0098] That is, in this example, in order to externally check the wear conditions of the inner pad 4 and the outer pad 5, recesses 32a, 32b recessed in the circumferential direction are provided on the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b of the opening window 29 formed in the outer body portion 16. Therefore, the weight of the outer body portion 16 can be reduced by the amount of the recesses 32a, 32b.

[0099] In this embodiment, the recesses 32a and 32b are formed in the radial middle of the circumferential side surfaces 30a and 30b of the opening window 29, which are portions that contribute less to ensuring the rigidity of the radial cover 24. Moreover, by forming the recesses 32a and 32b in the radial middle of the circumferential side surfaces 30a and 30b of the opening window 29, the cross-sectional shape of the portions of the radial cover 24 on both sides of the opening window 29 in the circumferential direction is made substantially C-shaped, having a section modulus equivalent to the H-shaped cross-sectional shape that is widely used in building materials. Therefore, the rigidity of the radial cover 24 can be sufficiently ensured. Specifically, during braking, a compressive stress acts on the radial outer side of the radial cover 24, and a tensile stress acts on the radial inner side of the radial cover 24. However, the compressive stress can be supported by the outer peripheral side walls 37a and 37b, so that the rigidity of the radial cover 24 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0100] As a result, according to the disc brake device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and sufficient rigidity for the split caliper body 3.

[0101] In addition, in this example, a communication portion 21 is provided in the portion of the inner body portion 15 that axially faces the axially inner end portion of the opening window portion 29, so that moisture and the like that has entered the inside of the opening window portion 29 can be discharged axially inward through the communication portion 21.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the open window 29 is formed as a cast hole, and therefore the manufacturing costs of the disc brake device 1 can be reduced compared to a case in which the open window 29 is formed by cutting or the like.

[0103] In this example, the opening width (W 29 ) is wider toward the inside in the axial direction. This effectively reduces the weight of the caliper body 3 while sufficiently suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of the caliper body 3. Also, when manufacturing the outer body portion 16 by casting, the core can be easily pulled out in the axial direction. This reduces the number of steps required for machining the outer body portion 16.

[0104] Furthermore, by providing the recesses 32a, 32b on the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b of the open window portion 29, the surface area of ​​the caliper body 3 can be increased compared to a case in which the recesses 32a, 32b are not provided. This also makes it possible to improve the cooling performance of the caliper body 3.

[0105] [Second Example of the Implementation Form] The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0106] In this example, the circumferential depth of the recesses 32c, 32d formed on the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b of the opening window portion 29 is made larger than that of the structure of the first example of the embodiment. Specifically, the circumferential depth of the recesses 32c, 32d is approximately twice the circumferential depth of the recesses 32a, 32b according to the first example of the embodiment.

[0107] For this reason, in this example, the circumferential widths of the outer flat surface portion 33a and the inner flat surface portion 34a constituting the inner surfaces of the recesses 32c, 32d are approximately twice the circumferential widths of the outer flat surface portion 33 and the inner flat surface portion 34 according to the first example of the embodiment. Also, the circumferential projection amounts of the outer peripheral side walls 37c, 37d and the inner peripheral side walls 38c, 38d are approximately twice the circumferential projection amounts of the outer peripheral side walls 37a, 37b and the inner peripheral side walls 38a, 38b according to the first example of the embodiment.

[0108] In this example having the above-described configuration, the volumes of the recesses 32c, 32d can be increased, so that the caliper body 3 can be made even lighter. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0109] [Third Example of the Implementation Form] The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0110] In this example, the cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 32e, 32f formed on the circumferential side surfaces 30a, 30b of the open window portion 29 are changed from the structure of the first example of the embodiment. That is, in this example, the cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 32e, 32f with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rotor 6 (see FIG. 3) are each substantially isosceles triangles.

[0111] For this reason, in this example, the outer flat surface portion 33b constituting the inner surface of the recesses 32e, 32f is a tapered surface that is inclined in a direction toward the radially inward direction as it moves toward the circumferentially outward, and the inner flat surface portion 34b constituting the inner surface of the recesses 32e, 32f is a tapered surface that is inclined in a direction toward the radially outward direction as it moves toward the circumferentially outward.

[0112] Therefore, the radial width of the recesses 32e, 32f decreases toward the back of the recesses 32e, 32f in the circumferential direction over the entire circumferential length of the recesses 32e, 32f. Also, the radial thickness of each of the outer circumferential side walls 37e, 37f and the inner circumferential side walls 38e, 38f increases from the tip end toward the base end in the circumferential direction.

[0113] In this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and rigidity of the caliper body 3 at a high level. That is, since the radial cover portion 24 is likely to be subjected to a large compressive stress the farther it is from the open window portion 29 toward the circumferential outside during braking, in this embodiment, the radial thickness of the outer circumferential side wall portions 37e, 37f can be changed according to the magnitude of the compressive stress to be supported. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and rigidity of the caliper body 3 at a high level. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0114] [Fourth Example of the Implementation Form] The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0115] In this example, the opening shape of the opening on the radially outer side of the opening window 29 is made different from the opening shape of the opening on the radially inner side of the opening window 29. That is, the opening shape of the opening on the radially outer side of the opening window 29 is substantially funnel-shaped as viewed in the radial direction, similar to the structure of the first example of the embodiment, whereas the opening shape of the opening on the radially inner side of the opening window 29 is rectangular.

[0116] For this reason, in this example, the circumferential projection amount (L 38g , L 38h ) is smaller than that of the structure of the first example of the embodiment. As a result, when the amount of circumferential projection of the outer peripheral side wall portions 37a, 37b and the amount of circumferential projection of the inner peripheral side wall portions 38g, 38h are compared at the same axial position, the amount of circumferential projection of the outer peripheral side wall portions 37a, 37b (L 37a , L 37b ) has a larger protrusion (L 38g , L 38h ) is larger than (L 37a , >L 38g , L 37b >L 38h ).

[0117] In this example having the above-described configuration, the compressive stress acting on the caliper body 3 during braking is supported, and the amount of protrusion of the outer peripheral side wall portions 37a, 37b, which contribute greatly to ensuring the rigidity of the radial covering portion 24, is ensured, while the amount of protrusion of the inner peripheral side wall portions 38g, 38h, which contribute less to ensuring the rigidity of the radial covering portion 24, can be reduced, thereby achieving a high level of compatibility between weight reduction and ensuring the rigidity of the caliper body 3. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0118] [Fifth Example of the Implementation Form] The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0119] In this example, a water drainage portion 42 is formed at the axially inner end of each of the inner peripheral side walls 38a, 38b, penetrating in the radial direction. The water drainage portion 42 radially communicates between the recesses 32a, 32b and the space present radially inside the inner peripheral side walls 38a, 38b. When implementing the present invention, the formation position of the water drainage portion and the shape of the water drainage portion can be changed as appropriate.

[0120] Since disc brake devices are often installed on vehicles with their longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) facing up and down, water tends to remain in the recess 32a (or recess 32b) located at the bottom. However, in this example having the above-described configuration, water that has entered the inside of the recesses 32a, 32b can be discharged radially inward of the inner side wall portions 38a, 38b through the water drainage portion 42. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0121] [Sixth Example of the Implementation Form] A sixth example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0122] In this example, only one flat radial protrusion 20c is provided on the circumferential inner side of the inner body portion 15a. The radial protrusion 20c is disposed so as to straddle two cylinders 18 in the circumferential direction.

[0123] The radial protrusion 20c has a communicating portion 21a, which is a through hole penetrating only in the axial direction, on its circumferentially inner side. The communicating portion 21a is provided in a portion facing the axially inner end of the opening window 29, and communicates with the opening window 29 in the axial direction. The circumferential width of the communicating portion 21a is approximately the same as the circumferential width of the axially inner end of the opening window 29.

[0124] In this example having the above-described configuration, the rigidity of the inner body portion 15a in the circumferential direction can be improved compared to the structure of the first example of the embodiment. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0125] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical concept of the invention. Furthermore, the structures of the examples of the embodiment can be combined as appropriate as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0126] When carrying out the present invention, the opening shape of the opening window portion is not limited to the structures of the examples of the embodiments and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the cross-sectional shape and circumferential depth of the recess formed on the circumferential inner surface of the opening window portion are not limited to the structures of the examples of the embodiments and can be changed as appropriate.

[0127] In the structures of the examples of the embodiments, the inner body portion has two cylinders, but when implementing the present invention, the number of cylinders may be one or three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1 Disc brake device 2. Support 3 Caliper body 4 Inner Pad 5 Outer Pad 6 Rotor 7 Guide section 8 Inner circumferential connection 9 Outer circumferential connection 10 fixing hole 11 Inner guide section 12 Outer guide part 13 Caliper guide part 14 Slide pin 15, 15a Inner body part 16 Outer body part 17a, 17b Connecting members 18 cylinders 19a, 19b Circumferential arm portion 20a, 20b, 20c radial overhang 21, 21a Communication part 22 Connecting plate part 23 Axial cover 24 Radial cover 25 Overhang 26 Contact protrusion 27 Relief recess 28 Mounting hole 29 Opening window 30a, 30b Circumferential side 31 Axial side 32a~32f Recess 33, 33a, 33b Outer flat surface part 34, 34a, 34b Inner flat surface part 35 Bottom part 36a, 36b Corner 37a~37f Outer side wall 38a~38h Inner circumferential wall 39a, 39b Lining 40a, 40b back plate 41a, 41b Pad clip 42 Water draining section 43 Shim plate 44 Support hole

Claims

1. an inner pad disposed axially inside the rotor; an outer pad disposed axially outside the rotor; a support fixed to a vehicle body and supporting each of the inner pad and the outer pad so as to be movable in the axial direction; a caliper body supported axially movably relative to the support, the caliper body is configured by connecting in the axial direction an inner body portion having a cylinder and disposed axially inward of the rotor, and an outer body portion that presses the outer pad during braking, the outer body portion has a radial cover portion disposed radially outward of the rotor and an axially inner end surface of the radial cover portion abutting against the inner body portion, The radial cover portion has an open window portion that opens on each of the peripheral surfaces on both radial sides and on the end surface on the inner side in the axial direction, A recess is provided in a radial middle portion of a circumferential side surface constituting an inner surface of the opening window portion, the recess being recessed in a circumferential direction. Floating type disc brake device.

2. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the opening window portion is provided at a circumferential intermediate portion of the radial cover portion.

3. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is provided on each of the circumferential side surfaces on both circumferential sides constituting the inner surface of the opening window portion.

4. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein an axially outer end of the open window portion is positioned axially outer than the rotor.

5. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is provided over the entire axial length of the circumferential side surface of the open window portion.

6. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein a circumferential opening width of the opening on the radially outer side of the opening window portion and / or the opening on the radially inner side of the opening window portion becomes wider toward the axially inner side in at least a portion of the opening window portion.

7. 7. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 6, wherein a manner in which the circumferential opening width of the opening on the radially outer side of the opening window portion and / or the opening on the radially inner side of the opening window portion increases varies depending on an axial position of the opening window portion.

8. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the radial cover portion has an outer peripheral side wall portion radially outside the recess, and an inner peripheral side wall portion radially inside the recess.

9. 9. The floating-type disc brake device according to claim 8, wherein when the radial thickness of the outer peripheral side wall portion and the radial thickness of the inner peripheral side wall portion are compared at the same circumferential position, the radial thickness of the outer peripheral side wall portion is equal to or greater than the radial thickness of the inner peripheral side wall portion.

10. 9. A floating type disc brake device as described in claim 8, wherein when the circumferential protrusion amount of the outer peripheral side wall portion and the circumferential protrusion amount of the inner peripheral side wall portion are compared at the same axial position, the circumferential protrusion amount of the outer peripheral side wall portion is greater than the circumferential protrusion amount of the inner peripheral side wall portion.

11. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the recess has, in at least a part of the circumferential direction, a region whose radial width does not change over the circumferential direction.

12. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the recess has, at least in a part in a circumferential direction, a region in which a radial width becomes smaller toward a back side of the recess in the circumferential direction.

13. 9. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 8, wherein the inner peripheral side wall portion has a water drain portion radially communicating with the recessed portion.

14. 2. The floating-type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the inner body portion has a communication portion that axially communicates with the open window portion at a portion axially opposite to an axially inner end portion of the open window portion.

15. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein an axial side surface constituting an inner surface of the open window portion has a cross shape when viewed in the axial direction.

16. 2. The floating type disc brake device according to claim 1, wherein the open window portion is a cast hole.

Images