Brake band for ventilated disc brakes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake band (1) for a ventilated disc brake (2). The brake band (1) extends between a brake band inner diameter (D1) near a rotation axis (XX) and a brake band outer diameter (D2) away from the rotation axis (XX). The brake band (1) has two opposing plates (3, 4). The plates (3, 4) have inner surfaces (5, 6) that directly or indirectly face each other and form a gap (7). The plates (3, 4) have outer surfaces (8, 9). The outer surfaces (8, 9) have opposite flat circumferential portions that form braking surfaces (10, 11). The plates (3, 4) have plate bodies (12, 13) with axial extensions or plate thicknesses (14, 15). The plates (3, 4) are connected to each other by heat dissipating members or connecting members (16, 17, 18, 19). The connecting portions (16, 17, 18, 19) have the form of posts and / or ribs or fins, forming a bridge from one plate to the other, connecting the plates (3, 4). At least one of the plates (3, 4) has at least one ridge (20, 21, 22) that protrudes from the plate (3, 4) into the gap (7) but does not reach the opposite plate (4, 3). The ridge forms a narrow portion of the at least one gap (7) and thickens the plate body (12, 13), resulting in a local increase in the plate thickness (14, 15) therein. At least one ridge (20, 21, 22) extends from a first connecting portion (16, 17, 18, 19) to an adjacent connecting portion (16, 17, 18, 19) by connecting the connecting portions (16, 17, 18, 19). At least one ridge (20, 21, 22) extends along the circumferential direction (CC) and connects at least two adjacent connectors (16, 17, 18, 19) arranged in the circumferential direction (CC). The connectors (16, 17, 18, 19) and the at least one ridge (20, 21, 22) are grouped into a plurality of modules (31, 32, 33) distributed in the circumferential direction (CC) along the gap (7). At least a first module (31) has at least three adjacent connectors (16) connected by two ridges (20, 21).The two ridges (20, 21) are aligned in the circumferential direction (CC), and the two ridges (20, 21) protrude from the first plate (3) into the gap (7) but do not reach the opposite plate (4). At least the second module (32) has at least three adjacent connecting portions (16) connected to each other by the two ridges (20, 21). The two ridges (20, 21) are aligned in the circumferential direction and protrude from the second plate (4) into the gap (7) but do not reach the opposite plate (3). At least the third module (33) has at least one connecting portion (17) that is not connected to each ridge.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake band and a ventilated disc for disc brakes, with particular, although not exclusive, application in the automotive sector. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in a disc brake, a brake caliper is disposed astride the outer margin of a brake disc and is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (AA) that defines an axial direction (XX). The brake disc defines a radial direction (RR) that is approximately perpendicular to the axial direction (XX), a circumferential direction (CC) that is perpendicular to the axial direction (XX), and a local tangential direction (TT) that is perpendicular to the axial direction (XX) and the radial direction (RR).

[0003] As is known, a disc for a disc brake has a bell adapted to mount the disc on the hub of a vehicle, from which extends an annular portion (i.e. a brake band) intended to cooperate with the pads of a caliper. In the case of a disc of the ventilated type, the brake band is made by two plates opposed to each other and connected to each other by connecting members, for example in the form of pillars or fins. The outer faces of the two plates form the opposing braking surfaces, while the inner faces, together with the pillars and the fins, delimit ventilation channels through which a centrifugal air flow passes to cool the disc during its rotation.

[0004] The brake pads described above are intended to cooperate with a disc brake caliper that is configured to apply a braking action to a vehicle by applying friction with the pads against opposing surfaces of two plates (surfaces named "braking surfaces").

[0005] It is known that during braking, friction between the pads of the brake caliper and the braking surfaces of the brake band generates large amounts of heat which must be disposed of.

[0006] Indeed, the heat generated can lead to a number of undesirable phenomena, such as deformation of the brake band, the formation of cracks on the braking surface or local modifications of the state of the material forming the brake band, which leads to a deterioration of the brake band itself.

[0007] Particularly in the case of high performance motor vehicles having high braking efficiency, there is a lot of energy to be disposed of, and the need to dispose of the heat generated during braking operation is all the more felt.

[0008] Ventilated discs of the above mentioned type have constantly evolved over time with regard to the number and shape of the so-called ventilation channels, the gap being formed by two axially opposed plates.

[0009] Among the known ventilated disks, the so-called "pillar disks" have proven to be particularly efficient in terms of heat dissipation (cooling), in which the ventilation channels are limited on the inside by column connecting elements, in particular defined as "pillars" connecting two plates laterally, and are narrower in radial and circumferential extension compared to their axial extension.

[0010] For example, a ventilated "pillar disc" is known from EP 1 373 751, in which pillars are arranged along three concentric circumferential surfaces of different diameters, coaxial with the disc, forming three "lines" on a surface parallel to and intermediate the two plates, the pillars having different cross sections, e.g. "rhomboid" cross section pillars on the intermediate and outer lines and "teardrop" shaped pillars on the inner line.

[0011] Other pillar-structured ventilated discs are disclosed, for example, in WO 2004 / 102028 and US Pat. No. 5,542,503.

[0012] Among the ventilated disks, so-called "fin" or "wing" disks are known, in which the ventilation channels are limited inwardly by connecting elongated members, in particular along a main direction, or are oriented along a direction parallel to the radial direction (RR), or are in the form of a spiral connecting two plates laterally. The abovementioned fins, which extend substantially radially, in fact form aerodynamic surfaces that guide the cooling air through the gaps.

[0013] The braking action of the pads against the braking surface of the disc generates heat and, as a result, the temperature of the disc increases, especially when performance is required, and it is known that the disc can become incandescent. During braking, the high temperature of the disc can cause deformation of the disc, and the contact between the pads and the braking surface can cause degradation of the disc. Also, the friction material of the pads can vitrify or become contaminated by the disc material.

[0014] It is known that the central annular portion of the braking surface (i.e., the central annular portion of the outer surface of each plate) experiences high temperatures, and that this area is prone to cracking during the life of the disc.

[0015] To solve the above problems, there is a need in this field to improve the efficiency of dissipating heat generated by braking and to increase the mechanical resistance of the central part of the braking band so as to reduce the heat of the disc during and after braking.

[0016] Solutions to this end have been disclosed in WO 2004 / 102028, WO 2002 / 064992, U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,306, U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,210, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0243546, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 012047, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,599, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,503 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,167. Although satisfactory in many respects, these known solutions have failed to achieve a compromise between the mechanical resistance desired in the central annular region of the braking band and the need to maximize the air flow in said region capable of removing localized high temperatures generated by the braking action.

[0017] However, ventilated discs of the type described above do not provide a solution to another problem affecting disc brakes (and in particular disc brakes equipped with ventilated discs) which arises at the same time as the problem described above but which must be solved at the same time (to be briefly described below).

[0018] As is known, during braking, the disc and the brake band mechanically vibrate at different frequencies, in particular related to different natural vibration modes of the disc itself, such vibrations of the disc resulting, for example, from resonances caused by vibrations of an object mechanically coupled to the disc and acted upon during braking, if the vibration frequency of the object is sufficiently close to the natural vibration frequency of the disc.

[0019] The above-mentioned vibrations are also known to produce audible noises (particularly an unpleasant "squeak") if the resonant frequency is in the audible range (eg 2-9 kHz, which is associated with a high-pitched shriek).

[0020] It is therefore necessary to provide a solution to reduce or eliminate the above-mentioned high-pitched sound by means of a structural modification that shifts the vibration frequency of the disc to a value different from the activated frequency, thereby decoupling the natural vibration modes that are most responsible for this phenomenon (e.g. the so-called "tangential" vibration mode in which the brake band vibrates around the bell (e.g. two vibration modes of substantially the same or very close frequencies, as shown in Figures 5 and 6)).

[0021] To solve these problems, disks with a different structure to the "pillar" structure described above are known.

[0022] For example, Italian Patent No. 1,273,754 discloses a brake band with protrusions located at specific locations and projecting into the interior of the plates towards the gap between the two plates, and with a mass specifically determined to reduce the vibrations and noise generated.

[0023] For example, another ventilated disk having a structure which eliminates the unpleasant vibration phenomenon is known from US Pat. No. 4,523,666.

[0024] US Patent No. 3,983,973 to Knorr-Bremse GmbH shows a brake disc having a pair of friction plates spaced apart to form a ventilation channel. The braking force is applied to the plates by a brake lining of a brake pad. The two plates are interconnected by a number of flow guide ribs or fins, forming a ventilation passage between the friction plates. Strips of vibration-damping material are disposed in radial grooves formed in the opposing faces of the friction plates. These inserts dampen vibrations and consist of metallic members (e.g. lead, bronze or copper) having a coefficient of expansion greater than that of the ferrous material from which the friction plates are made.

[0025] A similar solution is known from US Patent Publication No. 2009 / 035598.

[0026] It is known from US 2012 / 111692 to couple a passive damper of the squawk type for damping vibrations to a braking device.

[0027] From US Pat. No. 6,131,707, WO 2016 / 020820, WO 2017 / 153902, WO 2017 / 153873, EP 0318687, WO 2011 / 058594, WO 2006 / 105131, US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 219500, US Pat. No. 6,145,636, US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 122880, US Pat. No. 6,325,185, US Pat. No. 4,523,666 and US Pat. No. 5,004,078 it is known to provide the brake band plate with non-uniform connections in the circumferential direction in order to damp vibrations generated by the braking action. Other solutions are known from US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 067018 to Smith Philip John, US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 000884 A1 to Leighton Charles, WO 2017 / 153873 to the present applicant, WO 2017 / 153902 to the present applicant, German Utility Model DE 20 015 102580 U1 to Ford Global Tech Limited Liability Company, U.S. Patent No. 6,241,053 to Tahara and Aoki, U.S. Patent No. 5,706,915 to Shimizu, JP 10-318302 A, JP 06-129452 A, DE 102014222648 A1 and DE 4323782 A1.

[0028] However, under some braking conditions, the arrangement of the plate connectors creates structural non-uniformities which do not allow the natural vibration modes of the brake disc to be altered to frequencies that eliminate the problem.

[0029] Therefore, a new ventilated structure is needed that simultaneously provides particularly efficient cooling performance and vibration and noise minimization properties during braking, while avoiding the creation of stress concentrations that affect the integrity and durability of the brake band.

[0030] The above-mentioned ventilated discs and brake bands have not been able to fully satisfy the above-mentioned requirements.

[0031] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a brake band and a disc for a disc brake, which have structural and functional characteristics that satisfy the above-mentioned requirements and at the same time overcome the problems described in relation to the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0032] It is an object of the present invention to provide a braking system which reduces the occurrence of these vibrations and the resulting noise.

[0033] This object and other objects and advantages are achieved by a brake band according to claim 1, a disc brake disc according to claim 9 and a vehicle according to claim 10.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0035] The analysis of this solution shows how the proposed solution further improves the braking comfort achieved with the prior art solutions, damping vibrations and eliminating noise-causing vibrations. In particular, the proposed solution helps to isolate the tangential mode frequencies.

[0036] The proposed solution also maintains, in some embodiments, a very high and improved disk cooling efficiency due to the high turbulence of the airflow passing through the gaps in the brake band, determined by the specific shape of the circumferentially extending plate ridges located between the joints.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the device, the brake disc and the vehicle will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting examples with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a brake disc from the outside or wheel side, highlighting the modules of the plate connections as groups connected alternately by ridges. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brake disc of FIG. 1 as seen from the inside or vehicle side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer or wheel side plate of the disk of FIG. 1 taken along a plane including radial and circumferential directions that lie within the gap across the ridges, where the plate is connected to the disk's connection bell to the vehicle's stub axle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner or vehicle-side plate of the disk of FIG. 1 taken along a plane including radial and circumferential directions that lie within the gap so as to traverse the ridges. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows one of the natural vibration modes (i.e. the tangential mode) of a brake disc without the solution proposed here. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows one of the natural vibration modes (i.e. the tangential mode) of a brake disc without the solution proposed here. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0039] According to an embodiment, a disc braking band 1 for a disc brake 2 of the ventilated type is provided.

[0040] The brake band 1 described above has an inner diameter D1 close to the axis of rotation AA of the brake band 1 and an outer diameter D2 far away from the axis of rotation AA, which defines an axial direction XX.

[0041] The brake band 1 defines a radial direction RR substantially perpendicular to the axial direction XX, and a circumferential direction CC perpendicular to both the axial direction XX and the radial direction RR.

[0042] The brake band 1 has two plates 3, 4 facing each other.

[0043] The plates 3,4 directly or indirectly face each other and define a gap 7 which forms an air passage for the brake band 1.

[0044] The plates 3,4 have outer surfaces 8,9.

[0045] The outer surfaces 8,9 have opposite flat peripheral portions which form braking surfaces 10,11. In other words, the portions of the outer surfaces 8,9, when clamped against the brake band 1, cooperate with brake pads contained in the brake caliper to apply a braking action. The portions of the outer surfaces 8,9 which are brushed or rolled in by the pads form the braking surfaces 10,11.

[0046] The plates 3, 4 have plate bodies 12, 13. The plate bodies 12, 13 have an extension or plate thickness 14, 15 in the axial direction XX. In other words, when observed from the axial direction, each plate 3, 4 has a plate thickness 14, 15. The plate thickness 14, 15 is the thickness of the plate body 12 of the plate 3, 4 in the axial direction.

[0047] The plates 3, 4 are connected to each other by heat dissipation or connecting portions 16, 17, 18, 19.

[0048] The connections 16,17,18,19 are shaped as columns and / or ribs or fins 27, protruding from one plate to the opposite plate in the form of connecting bridges for the plates 3,4.

[0049] At least one of the plates 3, 4 has at least one ridge (protruding portion) 20, 21, 22. The ridge 20, 21, 22 protrudes from the plate 3, 4 into the gap 7 but does not reach the opposite plate 4, 3. This creates at least one locally narrow portion of the gap 7 and also creates portions where the plates 12, 13 are thicker, resulting in locally large plate thicknesses 14, 15.

[0050] The at least one ridge 20 , 21 , 22 extends from at least a first connector 16 to an adjacent connector 16 and connects these connectors 16 .

[0051] The at least one ridge 20, 21, 22 described above extends along the circumferential direction CC and connects at least two adjacent connecting portions 16 arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction CC.

[0052] The above mentioned links 16 and the at least one ridge 20, 21, 22 are grouped into a number of modules 31, 32, 33, 34 distributed circumferentially along the gap 8.

[0053] At least the first module 31 has at least three adjacent connections 16 connected to each other by two ridges 20, 21 that protrude from the first plate 3 into the gap 7 but do not reach the opposite plate 4.

[0054] At least the second module 32 has at least three adjacent connections 16 connected to each other by two ridges 20, 21. The two ridges 20, 21 are aligned in the circumferential direction CC. The two ridges 20, 21 protrude from the second plate into the gap 7 but do not reach the opposite plate 3.

[0055] At least the third module 33 has at least one connecting portion 17. The connecting portion 17 is not connected to a ridge.

[0056] According to an embodiment, at least the fourth module 34 has at least one connection 18, 19. Each connection of the fourth module 34 is set back from the band edge defined by the outer band diameter D2 more than the first module 31 and / or the second module.

[0057] According to an embodiment, at least the fourth module 34 has at least two pairs of adjacent connectors 18, 19. Each pair 18, 19 has two connectors 18, 19 aligned with each other along a direction extending from the band inner diameter D1 to the band outer diameter D2.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned connecting parts 18, 19 are fins.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned pair of fins 27 extend along a curved path.

[0060] According to an embodiment, all of the above-mentioned at least two pairs of fins 27 are concave in the same direction.

[0061] According to an embodiment, at least the fourth module 34 has at least three pairs of adjacent links 18, 19. The intermediate pairs of links 18, 19 are aligned with another pair of links on either side of them in the circumferential direction and have a shorter radial length RR than the pairs at the adjacent circumferential ends.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned at least fourth module 34 consists of two fourth modules 34 arranged at angularly opposite positions in the gap 7 .

[0063] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned first plate 3 is the plate facing the vehicle (ie the inner plate).

[0064] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned second plate 4 is the plate facing the wheels of the vehicle (ie the outer plate).

[0065] According to an embodiment, three adjacent connectors 16 of the first module 31 are ribs or fins 27. These ribs or fins extend continuously from close to the band inner diameter D1 to close to the band outer diameter D2.

[0066] According to an embodiment, at least three adjacent connectors 16 of the second module 32 described above are ribs or fins 27. The ribs or fins extend continuously from a position close to the band inner diameter D1 to a position close to the band outer diameter D2.

[0067] According to the embodiment, the second module 32 has four fins 27, which are connected to each other by three ridges 20, 21, 22. The three ridges 20, 21, 22 are aligned in a line in the circumferential direction CC. Also, the three ridges 20, 21, 22 protrude from the second plate 4 into the gap 7 but do not reach the opposite plate 3.

[0068] According to the embodiment, the fin 27 of the first module 31 has a cross section determined on a plane passing through the radial direction RR and the circumferential direction CC, and tapers from the edge close to the outer diameter D2 to the edge close to the inner diameter D1.

[0069] According to the embodiment, the fin 27 of the second module 32 has a cross section passing through the radial direction RR and the circumferential direction CC and tapers from an edge close to the outer diameter D2 to an edge close to the inner diameter D1.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the fins 27 of the first module 31 extend into the gap 8 along a curved path and are all concave in the same direction.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the fins 27 of the second module 32 extend into the gap 8 along a curved path and are all concave in the same direction.

[0072] In an embodiment, the at least one first module 31 comprises four first modules 31 .

[0073] According to an embodiment, the at least one second module 32 mentioned above consists of two modules 32 .

[0074] According to the embodiment, the above-mentioned first module 31 is arranged side by side with the above-mentioned second module 32, and the first module 31 and the second module 32 arranged side by side share the fins 27.

[0075] According to the embodiment, the first module 31 and the second module 32 are arranged in a first circumferential direction in the order of the first module 31, the second module 32, and the first module 31, to form first and second module assemblies.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the first and second module assembly is repeated twice in the brake band 1 .

[0077] According to an embodiment, two first and second module assemblies are arranged in the gap 7 at substantially angularly opposite positions.

[0078] According to the embodiment, the ridges 20, 21, 22 of the first module 31 and the second module 32 are located close to the outer band diameter D2.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the other ridges outside the ridges 20, 21, 22 located near the band outer diameter D2 avoid the space between the junction 16 of the first module 31 and the second module 32.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the assembly of ridges 20, 21, 22 extends in the circumferential direction CC along an annular discontinuous path (e.g. along a circular arc around the brake band 1) or extends in the circumferential direction CC over a number of circular arcs around the brake band, the arcs being arranged non-adjacent to one another.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the at least one ridge 20, 21, 22 is a single ridge, which extends over a circular sector 30 near the outer band diameter D2.

[0082] According to an embodiment, at least the third module 33 has at least two connections 17 which do not comprise a connection to a ridge.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the ridge-free connectors 17 are fins 27 that extend substantially from a position close to the band inner diameter D1 to a position close to the band outer diameter D2.

[0084] According to the embodiment, the fins 27 taper from the outer diameter D2 to the inner diameter D1.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the fins 27 are curved and concave in the same common direction.

[0086] The invention further relates to a disc brake 2 comprising a braking band 1 according to any of the above mentioned embodiments.

[0087] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a braking band 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0088] Those skilled in the art can make changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments or replace elements with functional equivalents to meet their fortuitous requirements without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0089] The closely spaced ridges 20, 21, 22 form circumferentially spaced ridge groups that create a circumferential distribution of circumferential discontinuities that provide a non-uniform distribution of the ridges that is configured to eliminate natural vibration modes of the brake band 1 that resonate to produce annoying noises and sounds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1: Brake band 2: Disc brake disc 3: Plate, 1st plate, vehicle side plate, inner plate 4: Plate, second plate, wheel side plate, outer plate 5:Inner 6:Inner 7: Gap 7: External surface 9:Exterior 10: Braking surface 11: Braking surface 12: Plate body 13: Plate body 14: Plate thickness 15: Plate thickness 16: Long fins connected by ridge connectors 17: Long fins not connected by ridge connectors 18: Inner short fin connection 19: Outer short fin connection 20: Ridge connecting the 12 long fins 21: Ridge connecting the two fins 22: Ridge connecting the third pair of fins 23: Linear inner fin 24: Linear outer fin 27: Fins, ribs 30: Circular fan section 31: First module with 3 fins and 2 ridges 32: Second module with 4 fins and 3 ridges 33: Third module with fins without ridges 34: Fourth module with discontinuous fins XX: Rotation axis, axial direction D1: Band inner diameter D2: Band outer diameter RR: Radial direction CC:Tangential direction

Claims

1. A brake band (1) for a disc (2) of a ventilated disc brake, comprising: said brake band (1) extending between an inner band diameter (D1) close to an axis of rotation (A-A) defining an axial direction (X-X) of said brake band (1) and an outer band diameter (D2) remote from said axis of rotation (A-A); the brake band (1) defines a radial direction (R-R) perpendicular to the axial direction (X-X) and a circumferential direction (C-C) perpendicular to both the axial direction (X-X) and the radial direction (R-R); The brake band (1) has a first plate (3) and a second plate (4) facing each other, The first plate (3) has a first inner surface (5), the second plate (4) has a second inner surface (6), the first inner surface (5) and the second inner surface (6) directly or indirectly face each other to define a gap (7) between the first inner surface (5) and the second inner surface (6); said first plate (3) having a first outer surface (8) and said second plate (4) having a second outer surface (9), said first outer surface (8) and said second outer surface (9) having opposed flat circumferential portions forming braking surfaces (10, 11); The first plate (3) has a first plate body (12) having a first plate thickness (14) in the axial direction (X-X); The second plate (4) has a second plate body (13) having a second plate thickness (15) in the axial direction (X-X), The first plate (3) and the second plate (4) are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting parts (16, 17, 18, 19) for heat dissipation; each of the plurality of connecting portions (16, 17, 18, 19) is formed as a fin (27) that protrudes from one of the first plate (3) and the second plate (4) to the other and / or from the other to the one of the first plate (3) and the second plate (4) to connect the first plate (3) and the second plate (4); one of the first plate (3) and the second plate (4) has at least one ridge that protrudes into the gap (7) but does not reach the other of the first plate (3) and the second plate (4), forming at least one local narrowing of the gap (7) and locally increasing the thickness of the first plate body (12) and / or the second plate body (13); the at least one ridge extends between two adjacent connecting portions among the plurality of connecting portions (16, 17, 18, 19) to connect the two adjacent connecting portions; The at least one ridge connects adjacent connecting portions of the plurality of connecting portions (16, 17, 18, 19) that are arranged in parallel at intervals in the circumferential direction (C-C); the plurality of connections (16, 17, 18, 19) and the at least one ridge are grouped into a plurality of modules distributed in the circumferential direction (C-C) along the gap (7); The plurality of modules includes a first module (31), a second module (32) and a third module (33), the at least one ridge has two ridges (20, 21), the first module (31) has first three connecting portions (16) adjacent to each other at intervals in the circumferential direction (C-C), the first three connecting portions (16) being connected to each other by the two ridges (20, 21); The two ridges (20, 21) are aligned in the circumferential direction (C-C); The two ridges (20, 21) protrude from the first plate (3) into the gap (7) but do not reach the second plate (4); the at least one ridge has two other ridges (20, 21), the second module (32) has three second connecting portions (16) adjacent to each other at intervals in the circumferential direction (C-C), the second three connecting portions (16) being connected to each other by the other two ridges (20, 21); the other two ridges (20, 21) are aligned in the circumferential direction (C-C); the two further ridges (20, 21) protrude from the second plate (4) into the gap (7) but do not reach the first plate (3); The third module (33) has at least one connecting portion (17) that is not connected to any ridge.

2. The plurality of modules includes a fourth module (34); The fourth module (34) has a pair of adjacent coupling portions (18, 19); said pair of adjacent links (18, 19) being recessed from the band edge defined by the band outer diameter (D2) by said first module (31) and / or said second module; and / or The fourth module (34) has two pairs of adjacent coupling portions (18, 19); Each pair (18, 19) of the two pairs of adjacent connecting portions (18, 19) has two connecting portions (18, 19) aligned with each other along a direction extending from the band inner diameter (D1) to the band outer diameter (D2), The adjacent connecting portions (18, 19) are paired fins, said pair of fins (27) extend along a curved path; and / or 2. The braking band (1) of claim 1, wherein said pair of fins (27) are concave in the same direction.

3. The plurality of modules includes a fourth module (34); The fourth module (34) has three pairs of adjacent coupling portions (18, 19); One pair located at the center among the three pairs of adjacent coupling portions (18, 19) is shorter in the radial direction (R-R) than two pairs located on either side of the one pair located at the center with respect to the circumferential direction (C-C); and / or 2. The brake band (1) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modules includes two of the fourth modules (34), the two fourth modules (34) being arranged in the gap (7) at opposite angular positions relative to the axis of rotation (A-A).

4. The brake band (1) is for a vehicle, The first plate (3) is an inner plate facing the body of the vehicle, The second plate (4) is an outer plate facing the wheels of the vehicle; 4. The brake band (1) of claim 1, wherein the first three-connected portion (16) of the first module (31) comprises a fin (27) that extends continuously from a position close to the band inner diameter (D1) to a position close to the band outer diameter (D2).

5. the second three connectors (16) of the second module (32) are made up of the fins (27) extending continuously from a position close to the band inner diameter (D1) to a position close to the band outer diameter (D2); The fins (27) of the second module (32) are four in number, The four fins (27) are connected to each other by three ridges (20, 21, 22); the three ridges (20, 21, 22) protrude from the second plate (4) into the gap (7) but do not reach the opposite first plate (3); and / or the fins (27) of the first module (31) have a cross section in a plane passing through the radial direction (R-R) and the circumferential direction (C-C) and are tapered from an edge close to the outer band diameter (D2) to an edge close to the inner band diameter (D1); and / or the fins (27) of the second module (32) have a cross section in a plane passing through the radial direction (R-R) and the circumferential direction (C-C) and are tapered from an edge close to the outer band diameter (D2) to an edge close to the inner band diameter (D1); or the fins (27) of the first module (31) extend into the gap (7) along a curved path and are all concave in the same direction; or The braking band (1) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fins (27) of the second module (32) extend into the gap (7) along a curved path and are concave in the same direction.

6. said braking band (1) having four first modules (31); and / or The brake band (1) has two second modules (31), The first module (31) is arranged in parallel with the second module (32), and the first module (31) and the second module (32) share the fin (27); the first module (31) and the second module (32) form a first and second module assembly in which the first module (31) is arranged in a circumferential direction, followed by the second module (32) and then the first module (31); The first and second module assemblies are repeated twice in the brake band (1), The brake band (1) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second module assemblies, which are repeated twice in the brake band (1), are arranged in the gap (7) at angular positions opposite to the axis of rotation (A-A).

7. the ridges (20, 21, 22) of the first module (31) and / or the second module (32) are located near the band outer diameter (D2); another ridge outside the ridges (20, 21, 22) located near the outer band diameter (D2) is provided between the connection portion (16) of the first module (31) and the connection portion (16) of the second module (32); and / or the first and second module assemblies extend circumferentially (C-C) along a circular, discontinuous path along an arc around the brake band (1) or extend circumferentially over a number of arcs around the brake band (1), the arcs being arranged so that they are not adjacent to one another; and / or 7. Braking band (1) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one ridge (20, 21, 22) is the only ridge extending along an annular sector near the outer diameter of the band.

8. the third module (33) has at least one connecting portion (17) that is not connected to any of the ridges; At least one connecting portion (17) not connected to any of the ridges extends from a position on the fin (27) proximate the band inner diameter (D1) to a position proximate the band outer diameter (D2); the fin (27) of at least one connecting portion (17) not connected to any of the ridges tapers from the outer band diameter (D2) towards the inner band diameter (D1); and / or A braking band (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fins (27) of at least one connecting portion (17) not connected to any of the ridges are curved and have the same common concave direction.

9. A disc (2) for a disc brake, comprising a brake band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle comprising a brake band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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