Brake discs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake disc (1) comprising a bell (2) having a bell base (3) and a tubular wall (4) projecting from the bell base (3) in an axial direction (AA), and further comprising a brake band (5) having a band opening (6). The tubular wall (4) of the bell (2) comprises a cup tooth system (7) extending around the circumference of the tubular wall (4) and having cup teeth (8) projecting radially outwardly (RR). The cup teeth (8) are circumferentially spaced apart (CC) by empty cup gaps (9), each empty cup gap (9) being located in the circumferential direction (CC) between adjacent cup teeth (8). The brake band (5) comprises a ring-like gear system (10) having an annular ring body (11) from which extend ring teeth (12) projecting radially inwardly at the band opening (6). The ring teeth (12) are circumferentially (CC) spaced apart by ring tooth gaps (13), each ring tooth gap (13) being between the ring teeth (12). The cup tooth system (7) and the ring-like gear system (10) mesh with each other. The brake band (5) is a ventilated brake band in which a first wheel-side band plate (14) and a second vehicle-side band plate (15) are mutually facing and spaced apart by a ventilation duct (16) and connected to each other by a plate connecting element (17). The annular ring body (11) of the ring-like gear system (10) at least partially faces the ventilation duct (16) and forms at least one annular passage (18) at the base of the first or second plate (14, 15), bounded on at least one side by the tubular wall (4) of the bell (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a braking system suitable for a vehicle, comprising a brake disc.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to a brake disc comprising a bell and a brake band joined together by teeth. [Background technology]

[0004] Background technology

[0005] In a disc brake, the brake caliper is typically arranged to straddle the outer periphery of the brake disc and is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation (AA) that defines an axial direction (XX). In a disc brake, a radial direction (RR) that is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction (XX), and a tangential direction (CC) or circumferential direction (CC) that is perpendicular to both the axial direction (XX) and the radial direction (RR) are further defined.

[0006] Brake calipers are constrained to a support structure that remains stationary relative to a vehicle wheel, such as a stub axle of a vehicle suspension, a vehicle wheel hub, or a fork. A brake caliper typically comprises a caliper body having two elongated portions arranged to face opposite braking surfaces of a brake disc, and at least one bridge connecting the two elongated portions to each other. A properly activated caliper presses the pads against the brake band, and friction between the brake band of the brake disc and the pads creates a braking action.

[0007] Brake discs are known in which the bell is made of a different material than the brake band, in particular a bell made of a deformed cup-shaped steel sheet provided with circumferential teeth for engagement with the brake band.

[0008] Such composite brake discs may, for example, be lighter in weight, helping to reduce the unsprung mass of the associated vehicle.

[0009] Brake discs of this type are known, for example, from DE 10 2009 012 217 and EP 2 850 333 A1.

[0010] Other similar solutions are known from DE102009012216, US2014000995, US2014311838, EP2404075A1, DE102012022775A1.

[0011] In this case, the brake band and the bell each have teeth which mesh with each other and allow torque transmission between them, and to ensure the axial attachment between the brake band and the bell, the bell has a retaining element which extends radially outward at its upper edge and abuts against a corresponding surface of the brake band.

[0012] Preferably, the braking band is vented to dissipate heat generated during braking.

[0013] The disadvantage of such a solution is that such an axial attachment between the brake band and the bell occurs at one of the two plates of the brake band.

[0014] In particular, the teeth of the brake band are formed on the lower edge of the brake band plate facing the vehicle wheel to minimize axial expansion of the tubular portion of the bell and to facilitate the inflow of cooling air through a central opening in the brake band.

[0015] However, these known solutions do not have an ideal mass distribution to resist and minimize the thermal distortions caused by heating of the brake band: in fact, the constraint of the bell to the plate facing the wheel leads to an asymmetric thermal expansion of the brake band, which in the case of severe overheating results in significant deviations from the ideal braking surface of the braking surface defining the periphery of the plate. Summary of the Invention

[0016] solution

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a disc brake disc having a toothed connection between the bell and the brake band, which minimizes the axial mass distribution at the connection displaced relative to the centre line plane of the brake band, thereby reducing thermal distortion of the brake disc.

[0018] This and other objects and advantages are achieved by a brake disc according to claim 1.

[0019] Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0020] The analysis of this solution has shown that the proposed solution results in a brake disc with a minimized non-ideal mass distribution in order to resist and minimize the thermal distortions caused by heating of the brake band, without at the same time compromising the air permeability, in particular the heat exchange between the brake band and the cooling air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] drawing

[0022] Further characteristics and advantages of the device, disc brake and vehicle will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a brake disc as viewed from the wheel side.

[0024] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disk in FIG. 1 as viewed from the vehicle side.

[0025] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brake band and disc bell of FIG. 1 as viewed from the wheel side.

[0026] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of the brake band of FIG.

[0027] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the bell of FIG.

[0028] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the brake band and disc bell of FIG. 1 as viewed from the vehicle side.

[0029] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing details of the brake band of FIG.

[0030] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a detailed cross-section of the disk of FIG. 1 in the radial and axial planes.

[0031] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the joint between the bell and the brake band in the cross-sectional view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Description of Some Preferred Embodiments

[0033] According to a general embodiment, the disc brake 1 comprises a braking band 2. The bell 2 comprises a, for example, disk-shaped bell base 3 and a tubular wall 4. The tubular wall 4 projects from the bell base 3 in an axial direction AA.

[0034] The brake disc 1 further comprises a brake band 5 having a central band opening 6 .

[0035] The tubular wall 4 of the bell 2 is provided with a cup-shaped gear system 7 which extends around the circumference of the tubular wall 4. The cup-shaped gear system 7 is provided with cup teeth 8 which project outwards in a radial direction RR.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the tubular wall 4 of the bell 2 integrally forms a cup-shaped gear system 7 extending along the outer periphery of the tubular wall 4 and comprising cup teeth 8 projecting outwards in the radial direction RR.

[0037] The cup teeth 8 are circumferentially spaced apart by empty cup gaps 9 , with each empty cup gap 9 located in the circumferential direction CC between adjacent cup teeth 8 .

[0038] The brake band 5 further comprises a ring-shaped gear system 10 having an annular ring body 11 extending with ring teeth 12 projecting radially inwards at the band opening 6 .

[0039] According to an embodiment, the brake band 5 integrally forms a ring-like gear system 10 having an annular ring body 11 extending with ring teeth 12 projecting radially inwards at the band opening 6 .

[0040] The ring teeth 12 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction CC by ring tooth gaps 13 , with each ring tooth gap 13 located between the ring teeth 12 in the circumferential direction CC.

[0041] The cup gear system 7 and the ring gear system 10 mesh with each other.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the cup gear system 7 and the ring gear system 10 are intermeshed and closely coupled.

[0043] The brake band 5 is a ventilated brake band in which a first wheel side band plate 14 and a second vehicle side band plate 15 face each other, are spaced apart by a ventilation duct 16, and are connected to each other by a plate connecting element 17.

[0044] Advantageously, the annular ring body 11 of the ring-like gear system 10 faces, at least in part, a ventilation duct 16 which forms at least one annular passage 18 at the base of the first or second plate 14, 15, bounded on at least one side thereof by the tubular wall 4 of the bell 2.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is a single body that is continuous in the circumferential direction CC.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is connected to one of the first or second plates 14,15 by at least one angled connecting element 19 forming an annular channel 18 at the base of the first or second plate 14,15.

[0047] According to the embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is a single body that is continuous in the circumferential direction CC.

[0048] The annular ring body 11 is connected to one of the first or second plates 14,15 by at least one angled connecting element 19 which forms an annular channel 18 at the base of the first or second plate 14,15.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is connected to one of the first or second plates 14 , 15 by at least one circumferentially continuous angled connecting element 19 .

[0050] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 comprises a flared wall 21 facing the tubular wall 4 of the bell 2 .

[0051] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 consists of a flared wall 21 facing the tubular wall 4 of the bell 2, the flared wall 21 being frustum-shaped.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is discontinuously connected to the opposing plate 15,14 with respect to the first or second plate 14,15.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is discontinuously connected to the opposing plate 15,14 with respect to the first or second plate 14,15 by a plurality of ring-shaped column elements 20 extending mainly in the axial direction AA.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is discontinuously connected to the counter plate 15,14 with respect to the first or second plate 14,15 by a number of ring-shaped columnar elements 20 extending mainly in the axial direction AA. Each ring-shaped columnar element connects near the radially inner end of the counter plate 15,14 remaining in the ventilation duct 16.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is discontinuously connected to the counter plate 15, 14 with respect to the first or second plate 14, 15 by a number of ring-shaped columnar elements 20 extending mainly in the axial direction AA. The ring-shaped columnar elements 20 are enlarged at their ends and taper towards a smaller part located between the ends.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the annular ring body 11 is discontinuously connected to the opposite plate 15, 14 with respect to the first or second plate 14, 15 by a number of ring-shaped columnar elements 20 extending mainly in the axial direction AA. Between the ring-shaped columnar elements 20, ventilation holes 22 are formed, by which the band opening 6 communicates with the ventilation duct 16.

[0057] According to an embodiment, at least one of the cup teeth 8 or at least one tubular wall 4 of the bell 2 defining the empty cup gap 9 comprises at least one radial cup deformation 23 or radial and circumferential cup deformation 24 forming at least one axial abutment 25. The abutment 25 defines the axial movement of at least one ring tooth 12 in at least one direction AA.

[0058] According to an embodiment, at least one of the cup teeth 8 or at least one tubular wall 4 of the bell 2 defining the empty cup gap 9 includes at least one pair of radial cup deformations 23 or radial and circumferential cup deformations 24 forming at least two opposing axial abutments 25. The abutments 25 define axial AA movements of at least one ring tooth 12 in opposite directions.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the bell 2 is obtained from at least one deformed and shaped piece of sheet metal.

[0060] In order to meet specific contingency needs, those skilled in the art can make some modifications and adaptations to the above-described embodiments, and can also replace elements with other elements that are functionally equivalent, but without departing from the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Brake disc 2: Bell 3: Bell Base 4: Tubular wall 5: Brake band 6: Band opening 7: Cup gear system 8: Cupped teeth 9: Empty Cup Gap 10: Ring-shaped gear system 11: Annular ring body 12: Ring teeth 13: Ring tooth gap 14: Wheel side first band plate 15: Vehicle side second band plate 16: Ventilation duct 17: Plate connection element 18: Annular groove 19: Inclined connection element 20: Ring-shaped column element 21: Flared wall 22: Ventilation opening 23: Radial cup deformation part 24: Radial and circumferential cup deformations 25: Axial contact part 26: Axial support AA: Axial direction RR: Radial direction CC: Circumferential direction XX: Disc brake disc shaft

Claims

1. A brake disc (1) comprising a bell (2) having a bell base (3), and a tubular wall (4) protruding from the bell base (3) in an axial direction (A-A), and further comprising a brake band (5) having a band opening (6), The tubular wall (4) of the bell (2) has a cup-shaped gear system (7) extending around the circumference of the tubular wall (4) and having cup teeth (8) projecting radially outward (R-R); The cup teeth (8) are circumferentially (C-C) spaced apart by empty cup gaps (9); The empty cup gap (9) is located between adjacent cup teeth (8) in the circumferential direction (C-C); The brake band (5) comprises a ring-shaped gear system (10) having an annular ring body (11), Ring teeth (12) protrude radially inwardly from the annular ring body (11) into the band opening (6); The ring teeth (12) are spaced apart in the circumferential direction (C-C) by ring tooth gaps (13); The ring tooth gaps (13) are located between the ring teeth (12) in the circumferential direction (C-C); said cup-shaped gear system (7) and said ring-shaped gear system (10) mesh with each other; The brake band (5) is a ventilated brake band, The ventilated brake band has a first wheel side band plate (14) and a second vehicle side band plate (15), The first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart by a ventilation duct (16) and are connected to each other by a plate connecting element (17); the annular ring body (11) of the ring-shaped gear system (10) at least partially faces the ventilation duct (16), The ventilation duct (16) forms at least one annular passage (18) at the base of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15); A brake disc (1), the base of which is defined, on one side of the bell (2), by the tubular wall (4) of the bell (2).

2. The annular ring body (11) is a single body that is continuous in the circumferential direction (CC direction); or the annular ring body (11) is connected to one of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by an inclined connecting element (19), the connecting element (19) forming the annular flow passage (18) at the base of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15); or The annular ring body (11) is a single body that is continuous in the circumferential direction (C-C), 2. The brake disc (1) according to claim 1, wherein the annular ring body (11) is connected to one of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by at least one inclined connecting element (19), the connecting element (19) forming the annular flow passage (18) in the base of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15).

3. the annular ring body (11) is connected to one of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by inclined connecting elements (19) that are continuous in the circumferential direction, or 3. A brake disc (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the annular ring body (11) has a flared wall (21) facing the tubular wall (4) of the bell (2).

4. The annular ring body (11) has a flared wall (21) facing the tubular wall (4) of the bell (2); A brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flared wall (21) is frustoconical.

5. The brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the annular ring body (11) is discontinuously connected to the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15), with respect to the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15).

6. the annular ring body (11) is discontinuously connected to the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by a plurality of ring-shaped column elements (20) extending mainly in the axial direction (A-A), with respect to the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15); or The brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the annular ring body (11) is discontinuously connected to the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) with respect to the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by a plurality of ring-shaped column elements (20) extending mainly in the axial direction (A-A), and each of the plurality of ring-shaped column elements is connected near the radially inner end of the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) remaining in the ventilation duct (16).

7. the annular ring body (11) is discontinuously connected to the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by a plurality of ring-shaped column elements (20) extending mainly in the axial direction (A-A); A brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ring-shaped columnar element (20) has a shape that tapers down towards a smaller sized portion located between the ends of the ring-shaped columnar element (20).

8. the annular ring body (11) is discontinuously connected to the other of the first wheel side band plate (14) and the second vehicle side band plate (15) by a plurality of ring-shaped column elements (20) extending mainly in the axial direction (A-A); A brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ventilation duct (22) is formed between the ring-shaped column elements (20) connecting the band opening (6) to the ventilation duct (16).

9. at least one of the cup teeth (8) or at least one of the tubular walls (4) of the bell (2) defining the empty cup gap (9) comprises at least one radial cup deformation (23) or radial and circumferential cup deformations (24) forming at least one axial abutment (25) limiting the axial (A-A) displacement of at least one ring tooth (12) in at least one direction, or A brake disc (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the cup teeth (8) or at least one of the tubular walls (4) of the bell (2) defining the empty cup gap (9) comprises at least a pair of radial cup deformations (23) or radial and circumferential cup deformations (24) forming at least two opposing axial abutments (25) limiting the axial (A-A) displacement of at least one ring tooth (12) in opposite directions.

10. A brake disc (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bell (2) is obtained from at least one deformed and shaped piece of sheet metal.

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