Brake caliper with reduced volume

Abstract

The present invention provides a brake caliper with a reduced volume. The brake caliper includes a brake caliper body (2), a motion conversion mechanism (5), and an anti-rotation mechanism (6). The motion conversion mechanism (5) includes a rotating member (3) and a translating member (4). The anti-rotation mechanism (6) includes an anti-rotation boss (4a) provided on the outer wall of the translating member (4) and an anti-rotation groove (2b) provided on the inner wall of the cylinder hole (2a) of the brake caliper body (2). The anti-rotation groove (2b) fits into the anti-rotation boss (4a) to limit the rotation of the translating member (4). By optimizing the anti-rotation structure of the motion conversion mechanism, this brake caliper can reduce the axial dimension of the caliper and facilitate processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of braking systems, and specifically relates to a brake caliper with a reduced volume.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional hydraulic calipers require a piston structure to convert hydraulic pressure into thrust. In an electric control brake dry caliper, the hydraulic brake mode is abolished, and completely electric drive is adopted, and the brake pad can be directly pressed by a motion conversion mechanism.

[0003] The electric control brake caliper in the prior art retains a piston structure. The patent document with the publication number CN107076237A discloses an electromechanical brake caliper actuator, and the piston of the electromechanical brake caliper actuator has the following functions.

[0004] 1. Anti-rotation function: The anti-rotation structure of this solution is to provide a long groove on the outer wall of the piston, open a hole on the side wall of the caliper body, install a screw, and the screw penetrates the caliper body and is inserted into the groove on the outer wall of the piston, thereby restricting the rotation of the piston and the nut.

[0005] 2. Sealing function: The piston fits into the inner wall of the cylinder hole of the caliper body, and a ring and a dust cover are installed between the piston and the cylinder hole for sealing.

[0006] The above electro-mechanical brake caliper actuator has a problem that the axial dimension of the piston increases due to the anti-rotation structure and the seal structure. The length of the anti-rotation groove provided on the outer wall of the piston needs to be larger than the total wear amount of components such as the brake disc and the brake pad over the entire service life. That is, it needs to be larger than the total stroke within the service life of the piston. Otherwise, the anti-rotation function may become ineffective. Next, within the total stroke of the piston, if the groove portion of the piston contacts the position of the ring in the cylinder hole, the seal may become ineffective. Therefore, it is necessary to make the length of the piston at least larger than twice the total stroke length. As a result, the axial dimension of the piston and the axial dimension of the brake caliper assembly increase, making it more difficult to arrange them on the finished vehicle.

[0007] The patent document with the publication number CN113906233A discloses another anti-rotation solution. By fitting a screw attached to the piston into the groove on the inner wall of the cylinder hole to prevent rotation and making the seal structure consistent with the conventional caliper, the length of the piston can be shortened. However, in this solution, in order to machine the anti-rotation groove in the cylinder hole, the caliper body needs to be designed with a split structure, and furthermore, it is necessary to connect the two split caliper bodies with screws, which makes the structure complex and increases the volume and weight.

[0008] As described above, the brake calipers in the prior art have the following problems.

[0009] 1) To ensure both the stroke for anti-rotation and the stroke for sealing, the axial dimension of the piston increases, the overall length of the brake caliper increases, and the space arrangement becomes difficult.

[0010] 2) To reduce the axial dimension, it is necessary to design the caliper body with a split structure, which makes the structure complex and difficult to machine.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the technical problems associated with the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a brake caliper with a reduced volume that can reduce the axial dimension of the brake caliper and facilitate processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means: A brake caliper with reduced volume includes a brake caliper body, a motion conversion mechanism, and an anti-rotation mechanism, the motion conversion mechanism includes a rotating member and a translating member, the anti-rotation mechanism includes an anti-rotation boss provided on an outer wall of the translating member and an anti-rotation groove provided on an inner wall of a cylinder bore of the brake caliper body, the anti-rotation groove fits into the anti-rotation boss to limit the rotation of the translating member.

[0013] One end of the translation member defines an opening through which the rotation member extends, and the anti-rotation boss is located adjacent the opening on an outer wall of the translation member.

[0014] The translation member is cup-shaped, one end of the translation member is open and the other end is closed, and the cross section of the translation member is U-shaped.

[0015] The cup-shaped bottom and cup-shaped outer wall of the rotational member and / or translational member are integrally formed.

[0016] The cup-shaped bottom and the cup-shaped outer wall of the rotating member and / or translating member are connected by welding, riveting or screwing.

[0017] A first ring groove is provided in the cylinder bore, and a ring is provided in the first ring groove.

[0018] At least one of the rings is provided.

[0019] The anti-rotation groove is an arc groove, and the maximum distance between the anti-rotation groove and the axis of the cylinder hole is smaller than the minimum radius of the first ring groove.

[0020] The brake caliper with reduced volume further includes a dust cover located between the brake caliper body and the translation member.

[0021] A position limiting mechanism is provided between the rotating member and the translation member, and the position limiting mechanism is a pair of position limiting bosses that fit together.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The brake caliper of the present invention can reduce the axial dimension of the caliper and facilitate processing by optimizing the anti-rotation structure of the motion conversion mechanism. In addition, between the motion conversion mechanism and the caliper body, a sealing function and an anti-rotation function can be realized, the transmission structure can be simplified, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] This specification includes the following drawings, and their contents are as follows.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] In order for those skilled in the art to more fully, accurately, and deeply understand the concept and technical means of the present invention and to provide some assistance in implementation, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below by showing examples with reference to the drawings.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the present invention provides a brake caliper with a reduced volume. The brake caliper includes an actuator 1, a brake caliper body 2, a motion conversion mechanism, and an anti-rotation mechanism 6. The motion conversion mechanism and the anti-rotation mechanism 6 are located within a cylinder hole 2a of the brake caliper body 2, and the motion conversion mechanism includes a rotating member 3 and a translating member 4. The output shaft of the actuator 1 is connected to the rotating member 3 of the motion conversion mechanism 5. The motion conversion mechanism 5 converts the torque and rotational speed of the rotating member 3 into the linear motion and thrust of the translating member 4, and directly presses the brake pads to clamp the brake disc 11. The anti-rotation mechanism 6 includes an anti-rotation boss 4a provided on the outer wall of the translating member 4 and an anti-rotation groove 2b provided on the inner wall of the cylinder hole 2a of the brake caliper body 2. The anti-rotation groove 2b fits onto the anti-rotation boss 4a to limit the rotation of the translating member 4.

[0026] This brake caliper has the following advantages.

[0027] 1. Simplify the transmission structure and reduce the number of parts. In the present invention, an example is shown in which a ball screw is selected as the motion conversion mechanism 5. A screw track for fitting balls is provided on the inner wall of the translating member 4, and a screw track for fitting balls is also provided on the outer wall of the rotating member 3. The translating member 4 and the rotating member 3 constitute a ball screw, and the translating member 4 combines the functions of a piston and a nut.

[0028] An anti-rotation boss 4a is provided on the outer wall surface of the translating member 4. The anti-rotation boss 4a fits into an anti-rotation groove 2b provided on the inner wall of the cylinder hole 2a of the brake caliper body 2 to form the anti-rotation mechanism 6. A ring and a dust cover 8 are attached between the translating member 4 and the cylinder hole 2a to form a sealing mechanism.

[0029] Next, it is preferable that the cup-shaped rotating member 3 and the translating member 4 are integrally formed using processes such as casting and cold extrusion.

[0030] In the present invention, by using a ball screw, it can replace the piston in the prior art, realize the integration of the sealing function and the anti-rotation function, simplify the transmission structure, and reduce the number of parts.

[0031] 2. Reduce the axial dimension of the caliper. The anti-rotation mechanism 6 in the prior art has the following problems. 1) In order to ensure both the stroke for anti-rotation and the stroke for sealing, the axial dimension of the piston becomes large, the overall length of the brake caliper increases, and the spatial arrangement becomes difficult. 2) In order to reduce the axial dimension, it is necessary to design the caliper body in a split structure, which makes the structure complex and difficult to process.

[0032] In the present invention, by providing a ring groove at the end of the rotating member 3, the bearing 9 can be attached, and the mounting height of the bearing 9 can be lowered. An anti-rotation boss 4a is provided on the outer wall surface of the translating member 4. An anti-rotation groove 2b is machined on the inner wall of the cylinder hole 2a, and the anti-rotation boss 4a fits into the anti-rotation groove 2b to limit the rotation of the translating member 4. The length of the anti-rotation groove 2b can be directly made to coincide with the length of the cylinder hole 2a, and the length directions of the anti-rotation groove 2b and the anti-rotation boss 4a are parallel to the axis of the cylinder hole 2a. The difference in length between the anti-rotation groove 2b and the anti-rotation boss 4a needs to be larger than the total axial displacement amount within the service life of the translating member 4, ensuring that the rotation of the translating member 4 is always restricted.

[0033] In the present invention, a conventional integrated caliper body is adopted. A first ring groove 2c is machined at the end of the cylinder hole 2a, and the ring 7 is attached to the first ring groove 2c. The anti-rotation groove 2b is orthogonal to the first ring groove 2c. The maximum distance between the anti-rotation groove 2b and the axis of the cylinder hole 2a is smaller than the minimum radius of the first ring groove 2c. After the ring 7 is attached, it is ensured that the outer wall of the ring 7 is in close contact with the first ring groove 2c. Further, the outer wall of the translation member 4 excluding the anti-rotation boss 4a and the first ring groove 2c is similar to a bare shaft (a columnar body with a smooth surface). By bringing the inner wall of the ring 7 into close contact with the outer wall of the translation member 4, the sealing performance within the service life is ensured.

[0034] With the above configuration, by arranging the anti-rotation stroke and the seal stroke overlappingly, and arranging the bearing 9 and the rotating member 3 axially overlappingly, the seal function and the anti-rotation function within the full stroke are ensured, and the axial dimension of the translation member 4 can be reduced.

[0035] Hereinafter, an explanation will be given based on specific embodiments.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this embodiment provides a brake caliper with a reduced volume. The brake caliper includes an actuator 1, an inner pad 10, an outer pad 12, a brake caliper body 2, a motion conversion mechanism, and an anti-rotation mechanism 6. The motion conversion mechanism includes a rotating member 3 and a translating member 4. The anti-rotation mechanism 6 includes an anti-rotation boss 4a provided on the outer wall of the translating member 4 and an anti-rotation groove 2b provided on the inner wall of the cylinder hole 2a of the brake caliper body 2. The anti-rotation groove 2b is fitted to the anti-rotation boss 4a to limit the rotation of the translating member 4. The translating member 4 and the rotating member 3 form a ball screw. The translating member 4 performs a linear motion in the axial direction, and the rotating member 3 performs a rotational motion. The translating member 4 and the rotating member 3 are located in the cylinder hole 2a of the brake caliper body 2. The inner pad 10 and the outer pad 12 are located on both sides of the brake disc 11. The translating member 4 is used to press the inner pad 10 during braking to move the inner pad 10 toward the brake disc 11.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 1 is installed on the brake caliper body 2, and the actuator 1 is used to rotate the rotating member 3. The actuator 1 includes at least a motor and a speed reduction mechanism. The configuration of the actuator 1 is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described here.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the brake caliper body 2 has an integral structure, and a cylinder hole 2a is provided in the brake caliper body 2. An arc-shaped anti-rotation groove 2b is machined on the side wall of the cylinder hole 2a. The axial cross-sectional shape of the cylinder hole 2a is substantially trumpet-shaped. The diameter of the cylinder hole 2a decreases as it faces the direction of the actuator 1, and the diameter of the cylinder hole 2a increases as it faces the direction of the brake pad. A first ring groove 2c is machined at the end of the cylinder hole 2a, and a ring 7 is attached to the first ring groove 2c. The radius of the first ring groove 2c is larger than the maximum distance between the anti-rotation groove 2b and the axis of the cylinder hole 2a.

[0039] 1, the motion conversion mechanism 5 includes at least a rotating member 3 and a translating member 4, and in this embodiment, a ball screw is used for the motion conversion mechanism 5. The rotating member 3 is a screw shaft, and the translating member 4 is a piston. A screw raceway is provided on the inner wall of the translating member 4, and the translating member 4 and the rotating member 3 form a ball screw. In this embodiment, the translation member 4 is cup-shaped, one end of the translation member 4 is open and the other end is closed, and the cross section of the translation member 4 is U-shaped. A position limiting mechanism is provided between the rotation member 3 and the translation member 4, and the position limiting mechanism is a pair of position limiting bosses that fit together. The pair of position limiting bosses that fit together include a first position limiting boss 3a provided at an end of the rotation member 3 away from the actuator 1, and a second position limiting boss 4b provided in an inner hole of the translation member 4 and adjacent to the closed end of the translation member 4. The position where the first position limiting boss 3a and the second position limiting boss 4b contact each other is the zero position (reference position) of the translation member 4 with respect to the rotation member 3, where the brake caliper cannot generate a braking force.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the output shaft of the actuator 1 is directly connected to the rotating member 3 to transmit torque and rotation speed. A bearing 9 is mounted between the rotating member 3 and the bottom of the cylinder bore 2a of the caliper body. The bearing 9 may be a thrust needle bearing. A third ring groove is provided at the end of the rotating member 3, and the third ring groove is located at one end of the rotating member 3 close to the bottom of the cylinder bore 2a. The bearing 9 may be mounted in the third ring groove, which can reduce the axial height of the entire caliper. The outer wall of the translation member 4 directly fits into the inner wall of the cylinder bore 2a of the brake caliper body 2, and the translation member 4 corresponds to a piston in a conventional caliper structure.

[0041] The rotation prevention mechanism 6 serves to limit the rotation of the translation member 4 within the full stroke of the piston's translational motion. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotation prevention mechanism 6 includes a rotation prevention boss 4a and a rotation prevention groove 2b that fit together. The rotation prevention boss 4a is provided on the outer wall of the translation member 4, and the rotation prevention boss 4a is close to the open end of the translation member 4. The rotation prevention groove 2b is provided on the inner wall of the cylinder hole 2a of the caliper body. The shape of the rotation prevention groove 2b is arc-shaped, and the length of the rotation prevention groove 2b can be made to coincide with the length of the cylinder hole 2a. The difference in length between the rotation prevention groove 2b and the rotation prevention boss 4a, that is, the total length during which the rotation of the translation member 4 is restricted, needs to be greater than the total axial stroke within the service life of the translation member 4. The number of rotation prevention mechanisms 6 is at least one.

[0042] The rotation prevention boss 4a is integrally formed with the translation member 4 by machining. Alternatively, the rotation prevention boss 4a can also be attached to the translation member 4 by fixing methods such as crimping or welding.

[0043] The rotation prevention groove 4b is fixed to the cylinder hole of the brake caliper body 2 and can be formed by machining or casting. In the case of machining, it can be cut from the flange of the brake caliper body, and after machining, a steel ball can be press-fitted into the flange hole to form a seal.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1, the role of the sealing mechanism is to ensure the sealing performance between the translation member 4 and the brake caliper body 2 within the total axial stroke of the piston. The sealing mechanism includes at least one ring 7 and a dust cover 8, and the ring 7 and the dust cover 8 are covered on the translation member 4. In the axial direction of the cylinder hole 2a, the ring 7 is located between the dust cover 8 and the anti-rotation groove 2b. A first ring groove 2c is machined at the end of the cylinder hole 2a, and the anti-rotation groove 2b and the first ring groove 2c are perpendicular to each other. The maximum distance between the anti-rotation groove 2b and the axis of the cylinder hole 2a is smaller than the minimum radius of the first ring groove 2c. The ring 7 is installed in the first ring groove 2c, and the outer wall of the ring 7 can be closely attached to the first ring groove 2c. The width of the ring 7 is larger than the width of the anti-rotation groove 2b, and the inner wall of the ring 7 is closely attached to the outer wall of the translation member 4. In this embodiment, both the ring 7 and the dust cover 8 have a metal skeleton, and the ring 7 is crimped in a state of being press-fitted into the first ring groove 2c, so that the structure of the ring groove can be simplified.

[0045] The number of the rings 7 is at least one. When two rings 7 are installed, or when the ring 7 is relatively wide, that is, when the axial dimension is large, it can play a good role in positioning and guiding with respect to the translation member 4.

[0046] As described above, an exemplary description of the present invention has been given in association with the drawings. It is obvious that when the present invention is specifically realized, it is not limited to the above-mentioned method. All various non-substantial improvements made by adopting the method, concept and technical means of the present invention, or the direct application of the above-mentioned concept and technical means in the present invention to other scenarios without improvement are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Actuator 2 Brake caliper body 2a Cylinder hole 2b Anti-rotation groove 2c First ring groove 3 Rotating member 3a First position limiting boss 4 Translating member 4a Anti-rotation boss 4b Second position limiting boss 4c Second ring groove 5 Motion conversion mechanism 6 Anti-rotation mechanism 7 Ring 8 Dust cover 9 Bearing 10 Inner pad 11 Brake disc 12 Outer pad

Claims

1. a brake caliper body, a motion conversion mechanism, and a rotation prevention mechanism, the motion conversion mechanism having a rotating member and a translation member, the rotation prevention mechanism including a rotation prevention boss provided on an outer wall of the translation member, and a rotation prevention groove provided on an inner wall of a cylinder hole of the brake caliper body, 11. A brake caliper having a reduced volume, wherein the anti-rotation groove mates with an anti-rotation boss to limit rotation of the translation member.

2. 2. The reduced volume brake caliper of claim 1, wherein one end of the translation member defines an opening through which the rotational member extends, and the anti-rotation boss is located adjacent the opening on an outer wall of the translation member.

3. 2. The reduced volume brake caliper of claim 1, wherein the translation member is cup-shaped, one end of the translation member is open and the other end is closed, and the cross section of the translation member is U-shaped.

4. 4. A brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup-shaped bottom and the cup-shaped outer wall of the rotating member and / or the translating member are integrally formed.

5. 4. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped bottom and the cup-shaped outer wall of the rotating member and / or the translating member are connected by welding, riveting or screwing.

6. 4. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, wherein a first ring groove is provided in the cylinder bore, and a ring is provided in the first ring groove.

7. 7. The reduced volume brake caliper of claim 6, wherein there is at least one said ring.

8. 7. The brake caliper with reduced volume as claimed in claim 6, wherein the anti-rotation groove is an arc groove, and a maximum distance between the anti-rotation groove and the axis of the cylinder bore is less than a minimum radius of the first ring groove.

9. 7. The reduced volume brake caliper of claim 6, further comprising a dust cover positioned between the brake caliper body and the translation member.

10. The ring and the dust cover are covered on the translation member to form a sealing mechanism, and in the axial direction of the cylinder hole, the ring is located between the dust cover and the anti-rotation groove. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 9, characterized in that.

11. A position limiting mechanism is provided between the rotating member and the translation member, and the position limiting mechanism is a pair of position limiting bosses that fit together. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that.

12. The pair of position limiting bosses that fit together include a first position limiting boss provided at an end of the rotating member away from the actuator, and a second position limiting boss provided in the inner hole of the translation member and close to the closed end of the translation member. The position where the first position limiting boss and the second position limiting boss contact is the zero position of the translation member with respect to the rotating member where the brake caliper cannot generate braking force. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 11, characterized in that.

13. A bearing is attached between the rotating member and the bottom of the cylinder hole. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, characterized in that.

14. A third ring groove is provided at an end of the rotating member, and the third ring groove is located at one end close to the bottom of the cylinder hole of the rotating member. The bearing is attached in the third ring groove. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. The translation member and the rotating member constitute a ball screw. The translation member is used to perform a linear motion along the axial direction, and the rotating member is used to perform a rotational motion. The translation member and the rotating member are located in the cylinder hole of the brake caliper body. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, characterized in that.

16. The rotating member is a screw shaft, and the translation member is a piston. The translation member constitutes the ball screw with the rotating member by having a screw track on its inner wall. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 15, characterized in that.

17. The caliper body has an integral structure. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, characterized in that.

18. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, wherein an axial cross-section of the cylinder hole has a trumpet-like shape.

19. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator, an inner pad, a brake disc, and an outer pad, wherein the actuator is used to rotate the rotating member, the inner pad and the outer pad are located on both sides of the brake disc, and the translation member is used to push the inner pad and move it toward the brake disc during braking.

20. The brake caliper with reduced volume according to claim 19, wherein the actuator includes at least a motor and a speed reduction mechanism, and an output shaft of the actuator is directly connected to the rotating member.

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