Disc brakes

Abstract

A pad spring (24) on a rotation entry side in a disc rotation direction has: a first support part (131) that elastically supports a friction pad (27) in the disc rotation direction; and a second support part (120) that is offset in a disc radial direction with respect to the first support part (131), covers a torque receiving part (60), and elastically supports the friction pad (27) in the disc rotation direction. One of the first support part (131) and the second support part (120) is in contact with the friction pad (27), and the other has a first state in which there is a gap (S) between the other support part and the friction pad (27), and a second state in which the gap (S) is filled by movement of the friction pad (27).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disk brake. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-191119 filed in Japan on November 30, 2022, and incorporates its content herein.

Background Art

[0002] There is a disk brake having a pad spring that is attached to an attachment member and elastically supports a friction pad (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a disk brake, it is desired to suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

[0005] The present invention provides a disk brake capable of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a disc brake includes a mounting member attached to a non-rotating part of a vehicle and having a torque receiving portion in the direction of disc rotation, a friction pad that is movable in the direction of the disc axis, a caliper supported by the mounting member and pressing the friction pad against the disc, and a pad spring attached to the mounting member and elastically supporting the friction pad. The pad spring on the rotational side of the disc has a first support portion that elastically supports the friction pad in the direction of disc rotation, and a second support portion that is offset radially from the first support portion, covers the torque receiving portion, and elastically supports the friction pad in the direction of disc rotation. One of the first support portion and the second support portion is in contact with the friction pad and the other has a gap between it and the friction pad in a first state, and the gap is filled by the movement of the friction pad in a second state. The first support portion is positioned radially outward from the second support portion. The first state is a state in which the friction pad has a gap between it and the second support portion due to the support of the first support portion. The spring constant of the first support is smaller than the spring constant of the second support. The second support portion has an elastic plate portion that curves from the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion toward the friction pad, and the pad spring has a third support portion that abuts against the friction pad and supports the friction pad radially outward in the disc direction, and when the vehicle is braking in reverse, the apex of the curve of the elastic plate portion abuts against the center of the protrusion of the friction pad located within the torque receiving portion. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noises. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a disc brake of an embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the disc brake of the embodiment, excluding the caliper components other than the slide pins. [Figure 3] A view from the inside of the disc radially, showing the disc brake of the embodiment, excluding the caliper components other than the slide pins. [Figure 4] A view from the inner side showing the disc brake of the embodiment, excluding the caliper components other than the slide pins. [Figure 5]A view from the outer side showing the disc brake of the embodiment, excluding the caliper. [Figure 6] A partial view of the disc brake of the embodiment, seen from the outer side, excluding the return spring and rivets. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the first pad spring of the disc brake according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] A side view showing the first pad spring of the disc brake of the embodiment. [Figure 9] A partial side view showing the first pad spring of a disc brake according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] A side view showing the second pad spring of the disc brake of the embodiment. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram showing the first state of the disc brake of the embodiment, viewed from the outer side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The disc brake 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is for vehicles such as automobiles and applies braking force to the vehicle. Specifically, the disc brake 10 is for braking a four-wheeled automobile. The disc brake 10 brakes the vehicle by stopping the rotation of a disc-shaped disc 11 that rotates together with a wheel (not shown).

[0011] The disc brake 10 comprises a mounting member 20, a caliper 21, a first pin boot 22, a second pin boot 23, a first pad spring 24 (pad spring), a second pad spring 25, a first friction pad 26, and a second friction pad 27.

[0012] Hereinafter, the central axis of the disc 11 will be referred to as the disc axis. The direction in which the disc axis extends will be referred to as the disc axis direction. The radial direction of the disc 11 within the disc brake 10 will be referred to as the disc radial direction. The rotational direction, or circumferential direction, of the disc 11 within the disc brake 10 will be referred to as the disc rotation direction. The side of the disc 11 towards the center in the disc radial direction will be referred to as the inside of the disc radial direction. The side of the disc 11 opposite the center in the disc radial direction will be referred to as the outside of the disc radial direction. The side of the disc rotation direction length within the disc brake 10 will be referred to as the inside of the disc rotation direction. The side of the disc rotation direction length opposite the center will be referred to as the outside of the disc rotation direction. A line that passes through the disc axis and the center of the mounting member 20 and caliper 21 in the disc rotation direction and runs along the disc radial direction will be referred to as the radial reference line. This radial reference line is perpendicular to the disc axis. The plane containing this radial reference line and the disc axis will be referred to as the radial reference plane.

[0013] The outer side in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is referred to as the outer side. The inner side in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is referred to as the inner side. When a vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is traveling forward, the inlet side of the disc 11 in the rotation direction Fr of the disc brake 10 is referred to as the forward disc rotation direction entry side (disc rotation direction entry side). When a vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is traveling forward, the outlet side of the disc 11 in the rotation direction Fr of the disc brake 10 is referred to as the forward disc rotation direction exit side (disc rotation direction exit side). The forward disc rotation direction entry side becomes the outlet side of the disc 11 in the rotation direction of the disc brake 10 when a vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is traveling backward. When a vehicle is traveling backward, the outlet side of the disc 11 in the rotation direction of the disc brake 10 is referred to as the reverse disc rotation direction exit side. The side of the disc that rotates out in the forward direction of the disc brake 10 becomes the side of the disc 11 that rotates in the direction of rotation of the disc brake 10 when the vehicle equipped with this disc brake 10 is traveling in reverse. The side of the disc 11 that rotates in the direction of rotation of the disc brake 10 when the vehicle is traveling in reverse is referred to as the side of the disc that rotates in the reverse direction of the disc brake.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting member 20 is provided on the vehicle straddling the outer peripheral side of the disk 11. The mounting member 20 is attached to a non-rotating portion (not shown in detail) of the vehicle in this state. The mounting member 20 includes an inner-side arrangement portion 31, an outer-side arrangement portion 32, and a pair of first connecting portions 33 and second connecting portions 34 that connect them. The mounting member 20 has a substantially mirror-symmetrical shape with respect to the radial reference plane.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the disk 11 has one first braking surface 11a in the disk axis direction and the other second braking surface 11b in the disk axis direction. The first braking surface 11a is arranged on the inner side of the disk 11. The second braking surface 11b is arranged on the outer side of the disk 11.

[0016] The inner-side arrangement portion 31 is arranged on one side in the disk axis direction with respect to the disk 11 and is attached to the non-rotating portion of the vehicle. The non-rotating portion of the vehicle to which the mounting member 20 is attached is arranged on the inner side with respect to the disk 11. Therefore, the inner-side arrangement portion 31 attached to this non-rotating portion is also arranged on the inner side with respect to the disk 11. The inner-side arrangement portion 31 faces the first braking surface 11a of the disk 11. The inner-side arrangement portion 31 supports the first friction pad 26 shown in FIG. 2 so as to be movable in the disk axis direction. In other words, the first friction pad 26 is movable in the disk axis direction. The first friction pad 26 is arranged on the inner side with respect to the disk 11. The first friction pad 26 is arranged to face the first braking surface 11a of the disk 11.

[0017] The outer-side arrangement portion 32 is arranged on the other side in the disk axis direction with respect to the disk 11. The outer-side arrangement portion 32 is arranged on the outer side with respect to the disk 11. The outer-side arrangement portion 32 faces the second braking surface 11b of the disk 11. The outer-side arrangement portion 32 supports the second friction pad 27 so as to be movable in the disk axis direction. In other words, the second friction pad 27 is movable in the disk axis direction. The second friction pad 27 is arranged on the outer side with respect to the disk 11. The second friction pad 27 is arranged to face the second braking surface 11b of the disk 11.

[0018] The first connecting portion 33 and the second connecting portion 34 extend in the disk axis direction and are provided across the outer peripheral side of the disk 11 in the disk axis direction. The first connecting portion 33 connects the outer ends in the disk radius direction of the inner-side arrangement portion 31 and the outer-side arrangement portion 32 and the ends on the side of entry into the disk rotation direction during forward movement. The second connecting portion 34 connects the outer ends in the disk radius direction of the inner-side arrangement portion 31 and the outer-side arrangement portion 32 and the ends on the side of exit from the disk rotation direction during forward movement.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner-side arrangement portion 31 includes a first fixing portion 42 having a screw hole 41, a second fixing portion 44 having a screw hole 43, and a main beam 45 connecting the first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 44. Further, the inner-side arrangement portion 31 includes a first connecting portion 46 extending from the first fixing portion 42 and a second connecting portion 47 extending from the second fixing portion 44. The first fixing portion 42, the second fixing portion 44, the main beam 45, the first connecting portion 46, and the second connecting portion 47 are all arranged on the inner side with respect to the disk 11 and all face the first braking surface 11a of the disk 11.

[0020] The first fixing portion 42 is located in the inner side arrangement portion 31 on the side of the disc rotation direction that is more advanced than the second fixing portion 44 during forward movement. The main beam 45 extends in the direction of disc rotation. A screw hole 41 is drilled in the first fixing portion 42 along the disc axis. A screw hole 43 is drilled in the second fixing portion 44 along the disc axis. The mounting member 20 is attached to a mounting portion (not shown) which is a non-rotating part of the vehicle, by bolts (not shown) that are screwed into the screw holes 41 and 43, with the first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 44 abutting against this mounting portion. The first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 44, which are fixed to the non-rotating part of the vehicle, are aligned with each other in the disc axis direction and the disc radial direction. In this state, the main beam 45 is aligned with the first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 44 in the disc axis direction.

[0021] The first connecting portion 46 extends radially outward from the first fixing portion 42, with its position overlapping with the first fixing portion 42 in the disk axial direction. The second connecting portion 47 extends radially outward from the second fixing portion 44, with its position overlapping with the second fixing portion 44 in the disk axial direction. The first connecting portion 46 is positioned further forward in the disk rotation direction than the second connecting portion 47.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the first connecting portion 33 extends from the radially outer end of the first connecting portion 46, across the radially outer surface of the disk 11, toward the outer side along the disk axis. The second connecting portion 34 extends from the radially outer end of the second connecting portion 47, across the radially outer surface of the disk 11, toward the outer side along the disk axis.

[0023] The outer-side arrangement portion 32 includes a third connecting portion 51 extending from the first connecting portion 33, a fourth connecting portion 52 extending from the second connecting portion 34, and an outer beam 53 connecting the third connecting portion 51 and the fourth connecting portion 52. The third connecting portion 51, the fourth connecting portion 52, and the outer beam 53 are all arranged on the outer side with respect to the disk 11, and all face the second braking surface 11b of the disk 11.

[0024] The third connecting portion 51 extends radially inward from the outer end of the first connecting portion 33 in the disk axial direction. The fourth connecting portion 52 extends radially inward from the outer end of the second connecting portion 34 in the disk axial direction. The third connecting portion 51 is positioned further inward than the fourth connecting portion 52 in the disk rotation direction when moving forward. The outer beam 53 connects the radially inward end of the third connecting portion 51 to the radially inward end of the fourth connecting portion 52. The outer beam 53 extends in the disk rotation direction.

[0025] The first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47 shown in Figure 4, and the third connection portion 51 and the fourth connection portion 52 shown in Figure 5, each have torque receiving portions 60 of a similar shape formed on the inside in the direction of disk rotation. The torque receiving portions 60 of the first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47 shown in Figure 4 are arranged mirror-symmetrically in the direction of disk rotation. The torque receiving portions 60 of the third connection portion 51 and the fourth connection portion 52 shown in Figure 5 are arranged mirror-symmetrically in the direction of disk rotation. In other words, the mounting member 20 has torque receiving portions 60 on both sides in the direction of disk rotation.

[0026] The four torque receiving portions 60 of the same shape will be explained using the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connection portion 51 shown in Figure 6 as an example. The torque receiving portion 60 has, in order from the inside in the radial direction of the disk, a first surface portion 61, a second surface portion 62, a third surface portion 63 (torque receiving surface), a fourth surface portion 64, a fifth surface portion 65, a sixth surface portion 66, and a seventh surface portion 67. The first surface portion 61, the second surface portion 62, the third surface portion 63, the fourth surface portion 64, the fifth surface portion 65, the sixth surface portion 66, and the seventh surface portion 67 all extend along the disk axis direction.

[0027] The first surface portion 61 is curved and aligns with the radial direction of the disk. The second surface portion 62 is planar and extends from the radially outer side of the first surface portion 61 outward in the direction of disk rotation. The second surface portion 62 extends approximately perpendicular to the radial reference line. The third surface portion 63 is planar and extends from the outer side of the second surface portion 62 in the direction of disk rotation to the radially outer side of the disk. The third surface portion 63 extends parallel to the radial reference plane. The fourth surface portion 64 is planar and extends from the radially outer side of the third surface portion 63 toward the inner side in the direction of disk rotation. The fourth surface portion 64 extends perpendicular to the radial reference line.

[0028] The fifth surface portion 65 is planar and extends from the inside of the fourth surface portion 64 in the direction of disk rotation to the outside in the radial direction of the disk. The fifth surface portion 65 extends parallel to the radial reference plane. The sixth surface portion 66 is planar and extends from the radially outer side of the fifth surface portion 65 outward in the direction of disk rotation. The sixth surface portion 66 extends perpendicular to the radial reference line. The seventh surface portion 67 is planar and extends radially outward from the radially outer side of the sixth surface portion 66. The seventh surface portion 67 extends parallel to the radial reference plane.

[0029] The first surface 61, the third surface 63, the fifth surface 65, and the seventh surface 67 are oriented inward in the direction of disk rotation. The second surface 62 and the sixth surface 66 are oriented outward in the radial direction of the disk. The fourth surface 64 is oriented inward in the radial direction of the disk.

[0030] The continuous second surface portion 62, third surface portion 63, and fourth surface portion 64 constitute an engagement recess 75 that is recessed outward in the direction of disk rotation compared to the first surface portion 61 and fifth surface portion 65. The torque receiving portion 60 has the third surface portion 63 of the engagement recess 75 as a torque receiving surface that receives the braking torque of the second friction pad 27.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the torque receiving portion 60 of the fourth connecting portion 52 has an engagement recess 75 that is mirror-symmetric to the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51. The engagement recess 75 of the third connecting portion 51 and the engagement recess 75 of the fourth connecting portion 52 face each other in the direction of disk rotation and are recessed in a direction away from each other in the direction of disk rotation. The engagement recess 75 of the third connecting portion 51 and the engagement recess 75 of the fourth connecting portion 52 are aligned in the disk axial direction and are also aligned in the disk radial direction. The engagement recess 75 of the third connecting portion 51 penetrates the third connecting portion 51 in the disk axial direction. The engagement recess 75 of the fourth connecting portion 52 penetrates the fourth connecting portion 52 in the disk axial direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46 has an engagement recess 75 similar to the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51 shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 4, the torque receiving portion 60 of the second connecting portion 47 has an engagement recess 75 that is mirror-symmetric to the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46. The engagement recess 75 of the first connecting portion 46 and the engagement recess 75 of the second connecting portion 47 face each other in the direction of disk rotation and are recessed in directions away from each other in the direction of disk rotation. The engagement recess 75 of the first connecting portion 46 and the engagement recess 75 of the second connecting portion 47 are aligned in the disk axial direction and also aligned in the disk radial direction. The engagement recess 75 of the first connecting portion 46 penetrates the first connecting portion 46 in the disk axial direction. The engagement recess 75 of the second connecting portion 47 penetrates the second connecting portion 47 in the disk axial direction.

[0033] The engaging recess 75 of the third connecting portion 51 shown in Figure 5 and the engaging recess 75 of the first connecting portion 46 shown in Figure 4 are aligned in the radial direction of the disk, and are also aligned in the direction of disk rotation. The engaging recess 75 of the second connecting portion 47 shown in Figure 4 and the engaging recess 75 of the fourth connecting portion 52 shown in Figure 5 are aligned in the radial direction of the disk, and are also aligned in the direction of disk rotation.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the mounting member 20 has an inner mounting portion 31 that supports the first friction pad 26 with an engaging recess 75 provided in the first connecting portion 46 and an engaging recess 75 provided in the second connecting portion 47. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the mounting member 20 has an outer mounting portion 32 that supports the second friction pad 27 with an engaging recess 75 provided in the third connecting portion 51 and an engaging recess 75 provided in the fourth connecting portion 52. The mounting member 20 has a first fixing portion 42 and a first connecting portion 46 as shown in Figure 4, and a first connecting portion 33 and a third connecting portion 51 as shown in Figure 5, which are positioned on the rotation side in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward. The mounting member 20 has a second fixing portion 44 and a second connecting portion 47 as shown in Figure 4, and a second connecting portion 34 and a fourth connecting portion 52 as shown in Figure 5, which are positioned on the rotation side in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward.

[0035] The first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25 are both integrally provided on the mounting member 20. As shown in Figure 2, the first pad spring 24 is attached to the mounting member 20 on the in-rotation side in the forward direction of disc rotation. In this case, one first pad spring 24 is attached across both the first connection portion 46 and the third connection portion 51 on the in-rotation side in the forward direction of disc rotation. The second pad spring 25 is attached to the mounting member 20 on the out-rotation side in the forward direction of disc rotation. In this case, one second pad spring 25 is attached across both the second connection portion 47 and the fourth connection portion 52 on the out-rotation side in the forward direction of disc rotation. In other words, two first pad springs 24 and two second pad springs 25 are attached to one mounting member 20. These first pad springs 24 and second pad springs 25 are attached to the mounting member 20 and elastically support the first friction pad 26 and the second friction pad 27. Furthermore, the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25 guide the movement of the first friction pad 26 and the second friction pad 27 in the direction of the disc axis.

[0036] Figures 7 and 8 show the first pad spring 24 in its natural state before being assembled to the mounting member 20.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the first pad spring 24 has a mirror-symmetric shape. The first pad spring 24 is formed by press molding from a single metal plate of a certain thickness. The first pad spring 24 has a pair of pad support parts 101, a connecting part 102 that connects these pad support parts 101, and an engaging part 103 that extends from the connecting part 102. As shown in Figure 2, the pair of pad support parts 101 of the first pad spring 24 are arranged on both sides of the disk 11 in the disk axial direction. The connecting part 102 of the first pad spring 24 is arranged on the outside of the disk 11 in the disk radial direction. In other words, the disk 11 is positioned between the pair of pad support parts 101 of the first pad spring 24.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, in the first pad spring 24, the pair of pad support portions 101 have a mirror-symmetrical shape. Therefore, one of the pad support portions 101 will be described below.

[0039] The pad support portion 101 includes an outer end plate portion 110, an outer plate portion 111, an outer support plate portion 112, a wall plate portion 113 (elastic plate portion), an extension plate portion 114, an inner plate portion 115, and an engaging claw 116. The outer end plate portion 110, the outer plate portion 111, the outer support plate portion 112, the extension plate portion 114, the inner plate portion 115, and the engaging claw 116 are all flat plates.

[0040] The outer end plate portion 110 is located at the end of the pad support portion 101 on the side of the connecting portion 102. The outer plate portion 111 extends from the opposite side of the connecting portion 102 of the outer end plate portion 110, substantially perpendicular to the outer end plate portion 110, to the opposite side of the connecting portion 102.

[0041] The outer support plate portion 112 extends from the outer plate portion 111 on the opposite side from the outer end plate portion 110, and is substantially perpendicular to the outer plate portion 111. The outer support plate portion 112 extends from the outer plate portion 111 on the same side as the outer end plate portion 110 in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111.

[0042] The wall plate portion 113 extends substantially perpendicularly to the outer support plate portion 112 from the side opposite to the outer plate portion 111 of the outer support plate portion 112. In the thickness direction of the outer support plate portion 112, the wall plate portion 113 extends from the outer support plate portion 112 to the side opposite to the outer plate portion 111.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, the wall plate portion 113 is a curved plate that curves in the thickness direction. The wall plate portion 113 is curved so as to be convex in the thickness direction toward the side toward which the outer support plate portion 112 extends from the wall plate portion 113. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the wall plate portion 113 has a curved surface portion 117 that curves with a radius R greater than 0 toward the outer support plate portion 112 toward the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113. In addition, the wall plate portion 113 also has a curved surface portion 118 that curves with a radius greater than 0 toward the opposite side of the wall plate portion 112 toward the outer support plate portion 112 toward the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113.

[0044] The extension plate portion 114 extends substantially perpendicularly to the wall plate portion 113 from the side opposite to the outer support plate portion 112 of the wall plate portion 113. In the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113, the extension plate portion 114 extends from the wall plate portion 113 to the same side as the outer support plate portion 112. As shown in Figure 7, an intermediate opening 119 is formed in the extension plate portion 114. The intermediate opening 119 penetrates a predetermined range of the extension plate portion 114 on the wall plate portion 113 side in the thickness direction of the extension plate portion 114.

[0045] The inner plate portion 115 extends approximately perpendicularly to the extension plate portion 114 from the side opposite to the wall plate portion 113 of the extension plate portion 114. In the thickness direction of the extension plate portion 114, the inner plate portion 115 extends from the extension plate portion 114 to the side opposite to the wall plate portion 113.

[0046] The engaging claw 116 protrudes from the wall plate portion 113 through the intermediate opening 119 to the side opposite the outer support plate portion 112 beyond the extension plate portion 114. The engaging claw 116 protrudes from the wall plate portion 113 at an obtuse angle to the wall plate portion 113. The engaging claw 116 protrudes on the same side as the extension plate portion 114 in the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113.

[0047] The boundary lines between the outer end plate portion 110 and the outer plate portion 111, the boundary line between the outer plate portion 111 and the outer support plate portion 112, the boundary line between the outer support plate portion 112 and the wall plate portion 113, the boundary line between the wall plate portion 113 and the extension plate portion 114, and the boundary line between the extension plate portion 114 and the inner plate portion 115 are parallel. The wall plate portion 113 is curved around an axis parallel to these boundary lines. The outer plate portion 111 and the wall plate portion 113 spread out so as to be approximately parallel to each other. As shown in Figure 8, the extension plate portion 114 spreads out at a slight inclination relative to the outer support plate portion 112 so as it moves away from the wall plate portion 113, it moves away from the outer support plate portion 112.

[0048] The outer end plate portion 110, the outer support plate portion 112, and the extension plate portion 114 extend outwards in approximately parallel directions from one another. The outer plate portion 111, the wall plate portion 113, and the inner plate portion 115 extend outwards in approximately parallel directions from one another.

[0049] The continuous outer support plate portion 112, wall plate portion 113, and extension plate portion 114 are connected as a whole to form a concave shape with respect to the outer plate portion 111 and inner plate portion 115, thereby forming a guide recess 120 (second support portion).

[0050] The pad support portion 101 has a spring plate portion 121 (third support portion). The spring plate portion 121 extends from the edge of the extended plate portion 114 of the pad support portion 101 that is opposite to the other pad support portion 101, then folds back towards the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the extended plate portion 114, and extends towards the other pad support portion 101.

[0051] The spring plate portion 121 has a curved plate portion 122 and an inner support plate portion 123. The curved plate portion 122 is curved in a substantially cylindrical shape. In one pad support portion 101, the curved plate portion 122 extends from the edge of the extension plate portion 114 opposite to the other pad support portion 101. In one pad support portion 101, the curved plate portion 122 extends from the extension plate portion 114 in a direction that approaches the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the extension plate portion 114 while moving away from the other pad support portion 101. Subsequently, the curved plate portion 122 extends in a direction that approaches the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the extension plate portion 114 while moving towards the other pad support portion 101. Subsequently, the curved plate portion 122 extends in a direction that moves away from the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the extension plate portion 114 while moving towards the other pad support portion 101.

[0052] In one pad support portion 101, the inner support plate portion 123 extends linearly from the edge of the curved plate portion 122 opposite to the edge of the curved plate portion 122 that is continuous with the extended plate portion 114, toward the other pad support portion 101. In one pad support portion 101, the inner support plate portion 123 extends from the curved plate portion 122 such that it moves further away from the extended plate portion 114 in the thickness direction of the extended plate portion 114 toward the other pad support portion 101. The spring plate portion 121 undergoes elastic deformation mainly in the curved plate portion 122.

[0053] The pad support portion 101 has a spring plate portion 131 (first support portion). The spring plate portion 131 extends from the edge of the outer plate portion 111 of the pad support portion 101 that is opposite to the other pad support portion 101, then folds back in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111 on the side opposite to the wall plate portion 113, and extends toward the other pad support portion 101.

[0054] The spring plate portion 131 has a curved plate portion 132 and a support plate portion 133. The curved plate portion 132 is curved in a substantially cylindrical shape. In one pad support portion 101, the curved plate portion 132 extends from the edge of the outer plate portion 111 opposite to the other pad support portion 101. In one pad support portion 101, the curved plate portion 132 extends from the outer plate portion 111 in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111, on the same side as the outer support plate portion 112, and away from the other pad support portion 101. Subsequently, the curved plate portion 132 extends in the opposite direction to the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111, and away from the other pad support portion 101. Subsequently, the curved plate portion 132 extends in the opposite direction to the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111, and approaches the other pad support portion 101.

[0055] In one pad support portion 101, the support plate portion 133 extends from the edge of the curved plate portion 132 opposite to the edge of the curved plate portion 132 that is continuous with the outer plate portion 111, toward the other pad support portion 101. In one pad support portion 101, the support plate portion 133 extends from the curved plate portion 132 such that it moves away from the outer plate portion 111 in the thickness direction of the outer plate portion 111 as it approaches the other pad support portion 101. In one pad support portion 101, the support plate portion 133 is curved in an arc shape centered on an axis that is on the opposite side of the outer plate portion 111 in the thickness direction of the support plate portion 133, and extends perpendicularly to the outer support plate portion 112.

[0056] The first pad spring 24 has a pair of the pad support portions 101 described above arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner.

[0057] The connecting portion 102 has a base connecting plate portion 141, an intermediate connecting plate portion 142, and a tip plate portion 143. The base connecting plate portion 141, the intermediate connecting plate portion 142, and the tip plate portion 143 are all flat plates.

[0058] The base connecting plate portion 141 is arranged in the same plane as the outer end plate portions 110 of the pair of pad support portions 101 and connects them. The base connecting plate portion 141 connects the edges of the pair of outer end plate portions 110 that are opposite to the outer plate portions 111.

[0059] The intermediate connecting plate portion 142 extends from the edge of the base connecting plate portion 141 opposite to the pair of outer end plate portions 110, and in the direction opposite to the pair of outer plate portions 111 in the thickness direction of the base connecting plate portion 141.

[0060] The tip plate portion 143 extends from the edge of the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 opposite to the base connecting plate portion 141 in the thickness direction of the intermediate connecting plate portion 142, on the opposite side from the base connecting plate portion 141. The tip plate portion 143 extends further away from the base connecting plate portion 141 in the thickness direction of the base connecting plate portion 141 as it moves away from the intermediate connecting plate portion 142.

[0061] The engaging portion 103 has a base plate portion 145 and a pair of engaging protrusions 146. The substrate portion 135 extends from a position between the pair of outer end plate portions 110 on the base end connecting plate portion 141, away from the base end connecting plate portion 141 in the thickness direction of the intermediate connecting plate portion 142, and then folds back to the opposite side of the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 in the thickness direction of the base end connecting plate portion 141. Subsequently, the substrate portion 135 extends away from the pair of outer plate portions 111 in the thickness direction of the intermediate connecting plate portion 142, and away from the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 in the thickness direction of the base end connecting plate portion 141.

[0062] The pair of engaging protrusions 146 are provided at the end of the base plate portion 145 opposite to the base end connecting plate portion 141. One engaging protrusion 146 protrudes from the edge of the base plate portion 145 on the side of one outer end plate portion 110, and the other engaging protrusion 146 protrudes from the edge of the base plate portion 145 on the side of the other outer end plate portion 110. The pair of engaging protrusions 146 protrude in the thickness direction of the base plate portion 145 on the side opposite to the base end connecting plate portion 141. The distance between the pair of engaging protrusions 146 increases as they move away from the base plate portion 145.

[0063] The boundary line between the base end connecting plate portion 141 and the intermediate connecting plate portion 142, the boundary line between the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 and the tip plate portion 143, and the boundary line between the base end connecting plate portion 141 and the base plate portion 145 are parallel to the boundary line between the outer end plate portion 110 and the outer plate portion 111.

[0064] Figure 10 shows the second pad spring 25 in its natural state before being assembled to the mounting member 20. The second pad spring 25 differs in some respects from the first pad spring 24 shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0065] The second pad spring 25 has a mirror-symmetric shape. The second pad spring 25 is formed by press molding from a single metal plate of a certain thickness. The second pad spring 25 has a pair of pad support parts 101A that are partially different from the pair of pad support parts 101, in place of the pair of pad support parts 101. Furthermore, the second pad spring 25 does not have either of the pair of spring plate parts 131 shown in Figure 7.

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, the pad support portion 101A has a guide recess 120A that is partially different from the guide recess 120, replacing the guide recess 120. The guide recess 120A has a wall plate portion 113A that is different from the wall plate portion 113, replacing the wall plate portion 113. The wall plate portion 113A is a flat plate that extends substantially perpendicularly to the outer support plate portion 112 and the extension plate portion 114. That is, the wall plate portion 113A has a flat planar portion 117A on the outer support plate portion 112 side in the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113A. In addition, the wall plate portion 113A also has a flat planar portion 118A on the opposite side from the outer support plate portion 112 in the thickness direction of the wall plate portion 113A.

[0067] The second pad spring 25 has the same configuration as the first pad spring 24 shown in Figures 7 and 8, except for the features described above.

[0068] As shown in Figure 2, the first pad spring 24 is attached to the first connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 51 of the mounting member 20, both of which are on the rotational side of the disc when moving forward. At this time, the connecting portion 102 of the first pad spring 24 is positioned radially outward from the pad support portion 101. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the guide recess 120 of one pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 is fitted into the engagement recess 75 of the third connecting portion 51, and as shown in Figure 4, the guide recess 120 of the other pad support portion 101 is fitted into the engagement recess 75 of the first connecting portion 46. As a result, the first pad spring 24 is mounted on the mounting member 20 with its movement restricted in the radial direction of the disc and towards the rotational side when moving forward. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first pad spring 24 is positioned such that one engaging projection 146 of the engaging portion 103 abuts against the surface of the first connecting portion 46 on the third connecting portion 51 side, and the other engaging projection 146 abuts against the surface of the third connecting portion 51 on the first connecting portion 46 side. As a result, the first pad spring 24 is mounted on the mounting member 20 with its movement restricted in the disc axial direction. In other words, the first pad spring 24 is mounted on the mounting member 20 so that it is positioned in the disc radial direction, the disc rotation direction, and the disc axial direction.

[0069] As a result, the first pad spring 24 is configured such that a pair of pad support portions 101 are positioned on both sides of the disk 11 in the disk axial direction, as shown in Figure 2. In this configuration, the guide recess 120 and spring plate portion 121 of one pad support portion 101, as shown in Figure 4, are positioned within the engagement recess 75 of the first connection portion 46 of the mounting member 20, while the guide recess 120 and spring plate portion 121 of the other pad support portion 101, as shown in Figure 5, are positioned within the engagement recess 75 of the third connection portion 51 of the mounting member 20.

[0070] In this manner, the first pad spring 24, which is provided on the rotational side of the disc when it is moving forward, has a shape in which the pair of guide recesses 120 that fit into the pair of engagement recesses 75 are recessed outward in the direction of disc rotation when attached to the first connection part 46 and the third connection part 51.

[0071] In the mounted state of the first pad spring 24 attached to the mounting member 20, the outer pad support portion 101 shown in Figure 5 is engaged with the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51, and the inner pad support portion 101 shown in Figure 4 is engaged with the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46. The engagement state of the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 and the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51 shown in Figure 5 is the same as the engagement state of the inner pad support portion 101 of the first connecting portion 46 and the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46 shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the engagement state of the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 and the third connecting portion 51 will be explained here mainly based on Figure 6.

[0072] The outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120 positioned on the outside of the guide recess 120 in the direction of disc rotation. At this time, the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120 faces the third surface portion 63 on the inner side in the recess direction of the engaging recess 75 and abuts against this third surface portion 63. In this state, the wall plate portion 113 spreads out substantially parallel to the radial reference plane, similar to the third surface portion 63. As described above, the wall plate portion 113 is curved, with its outer end in the radial direction of the disc abutting against the third surface portion 63, and its middle portion in the radial direction of the disc moving away from the third surface portion 63 in the direction of disc rotation. The inner end of the wall plate portion 113 in the radial direction of the disc has a small gap between it and the third surface portion 63, which is smaller than the gap between the wall plate portion 113 and the middle portion in the radial direction of the disc.

[0073] Furthermore, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has an outer support plate portion 112 of the guide recess 120 positioned radially outward of the guide recess 120. At this time, the outer support plate portion 112 of the guide recess 120 faces the fourth surface portion 64 on the radially outward side of the engaging recess 75 and makes surface contact with this fourth surface portion 64. In this case, the outer support plate portion 112, like the fourth surface portion 64, extends along the disk axis and perpendicular to the radial reference line.

[0074] Furthermore, the pad support portion 101 on the outer side of the first pad spring 24 has an extended plate portion 114 of the guide recess 120 positioned radially inward of the guide recess 120. At this time, the extended plate portion 114 of the guide recess 120 faces the second surface portion 62 on the radially inward side of the engaging recess 75 and makes surface contact with this second surface portion 62. In this state, the extended plate portion 114, like the second surface portion 62, extends along the disk axis and is substantially perpendicular to the radial reference line.

[0075] Furthermore, the pad support portion 101 on the outer side of the first pad spring 24 has an engaging claw 116, as shown in Figure 7, positioned radially inward in the guide recess 120. In this state, the engaging claw 116 contacts the second surface portion 62 of the engaging recess 75, as shown in Figure 6, and elastically deforms outward in the radial direction of the disk.

[0076] Furthermore, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has an inner plate portion 115 that extends radially inward from the extended plate portion 114, facing the first surface portion 61 in the direction of disc rotation.

[0077] Furthermore, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has an outer plate portion 111 that extends radially outward from the outer support plate portion 112 in the disc direction, and faces the fifth surface portion 65 in the disc rotation direction.

[0078] As described above, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a guide recess 120 that fits into the engagement recess 75. At that time, the pad support portion 101 contacts the engagement recess 75 with the outer support plate portion 112, the wall plate portion 113, the extension plate portion 114, and the engagement claw 116.

[0079] The outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has an outer support plate portion 112 that extends inward in the direction of disc rotation from the outer edge of the wall plate portion 113 in the radial direction of the disc, and an extension plate portion 114 that extends inward from the inner edge of the wall plate portion 113 in the radial direction of the disc. The outer support plate portion 112, the wall plate portion 113, and the extension plate portion 114 all extend along the direction of the disc axis.

[0080] Furthermore, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a curved plate portion 122 of the spring plate portion 121 located on the opposite side of the extended plate portion 114 from the disc 11 in the disc axial direction. The curved plate portion 122 extends from the extended plate portion 114 toward the opposite side of the disc 11, and then folds back outward in the disc radial direction. The inner support plate portion 123 of the spring plate portion 121, shown in Figure 7, extends from the curved plate portion 122 toward the disc axial direction toward the disc 11.

[0081] Furthermore, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a curved plate portion 132 of the spring plate portion 131 that is located on the opposite side of the outer plate portion 111 from the disc 11 in the disc axial direction. The curved plate portion 132 extends from the outer plate portion 111 to the side opposite to the disc 11, and then folds back inward in the disc rotation direction. The support plate portion 133 of the spring plate portion 131 shown in Figure 7 extends from the curved plate portion 132 so as to approach the disc 11 in the disc axial direction.

[0082] As shown in Figure 6, the outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a wall plate portion 113 that covers the third surface portion 63 of the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connection portion 51. The outer pad support portion 101 of the first pad spring 24 has a wall plate portion 113 that is offset in the radial direction of the disc relative to the spring plate portion 131, specifically offset inward in the radial direction of the disc relative to the spring plate portion 131.

[0083] The first pad spring 24, in its mounted state attached to the mounting member 20, engages with the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connection portion 46 at the inner pad support portion 101 shown in Figure 4, similar to the engagement of the third connection portion 51 of the outer pad support portion 101 with the torque receiving portion 60 shown in Figure 6.

[0084] In the mounting state where the first pad spring 24 is attached to the mounting member 20, the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 and the tip plate portion 143 of the connecting portion 102 extend radially outward from the edge portion opposite to the pair of outer end plate portions 110 of the base end connecting plate portion 141 shown in Figure 7. In this mounting state, the intermediate connecting plate portion 142 faces the seventh surface portion 67 in the direction of disk rotation, as shown in Figure 6.

[0085] As shown in Figure 2, the second pad spring 25 is attached to the second connection portion 47 and the fourth connection portion 52 of the mounting member 20, which are both on the side of the disc rotation direction when moving forward, in substantially the same manner as the first pad spring 24 is attached to the first connection portion 46 and the third connection portion 51.

[0086] In the mounted state, the second pad spring 25 attached to the mounting member 20 has the outer pad support portion 101A shown in Figure 5 engage with the torque receiving portion 60 of the fourth connecting portion 52. Also, in this mounted state, the inner pad support portion 101A shown in Figure 4 engages with the torque receiving portion 60 of the second connecting portion 47.

[0087] However, in this case, as shown in Figure 5, the outer flat wall portion 113A of the second pad spring 25 makes surface contact with the third surface portion 63 of the fourth connecting portion 52, and as shown in Figure 4, the inner flat wall portion 113A makes surface contact with the third surface portion 63 of the second connecting portion 47.

[0088] In this way, the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25 are attached to the mounting member 20 facing each other in the direction of disc rotation, with the springs spaced apart in the direction of disc rotation.

[0089] The first friction pad 26 shown in Figure 4 and the second friction pad 27 shown in Figure 5 are engaged with the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25 attached to the mounting member 20. As shown in Figure 4, the first friction pad 26 is supported by the first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47 of the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25. As shown in Figure 5, the second friction pad 27 is supported by the third connection portion 51 and the fourth connection portion 52 of the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25. Both the first friction pad 26 and the second friction pad 27 have their longitudinal directions aligned with the direction of disc rotation.

[0090] The inner first friction pad 26 shown in Figure 4 and the outer second friction pad 27 shown in Figure 5 are parts of substantially the same shape.

[0091] As shown in Figure 2, the first friction pad 26 has a backing plate 171. The second friction pad 27 has a backing plate 172. The first friction pad 26 and the second friction pad 27 each have a lining 173 of a common shape. The lining 173 is attached to one side in the thickness direction of the respective backing plates 171 and 172. In the first friction pad 26, the longitudinal direction of the backing plate 171 is the longitudinal direction. In the second friction pad 27, the longitudinal direction of the backing plate 172 is the longitudinal direction. In the first friction pad 26, with the lining 173 facing the disc 11, the backing plate 171 is supported by the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25. In the second friction pad 27, with the lining 173 facing the disc 11, the backing plate 172 is supported by the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25.

[0092] The backing plate 171 of the first friction pad 26 has a mirror-like shape. As shown in Figure 4, the back plate 171 has a main body 175 and a pair of protruding parts 176. The main body 175 is located in the center of the backing plate 171 in the longitudinal direction. The main body 175 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the backing plate 171. As shown in Figure 2, the lining 173 is attached to the main body 175. The lining 173 also has a mirror-symmetric shape.

[0093] As shown in Figure 4, the main body 175 has a pair of mounting holes 181 formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction, penetrating the main body 175 in the thickness direction. The pair of mounting holes 181 are formed in positions where the lining 173 is not attached to the main body 175. A wear sensor 183 is attached to one of the pair of mounting holes 181 by a rivet 182. The wear sensor 183 is attached to the side of the main body 175 opposite to the lining 173 in the thickness direction, and extends from the outside of the main body 175 toward the lining 173 side of the main body 175 toward the lining 173 side in the thickness direction. The main body 175 has a pair of end faces 184 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The pair of end faces 184 are parallel to each other.

[0094] The back plate 171 also has a mirror-symmetric shape with a pair of protrusions 176. One protrusion 176 is provided at one end of the back plate 171 in the longitudinal direction. The other protrusion 176 is provided at the other end of the back plate 171 in the longitudinal direction. One of the pair of protrusions 176 protrudes outward along the longitudinal direction of the main body 175 from the end face 184 on one end of the main body 175 in the longitudinal direction, and the other protrusion 176 protrudes outward along the longitudinal direction of the main body 175 from the end face 184 on the other end of the main body 175 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the pair of protrusions 176 protrude in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the main body 175 from both ends of the main body 175 in the longitudinal direction.

[0095] The backing plate 172 of the second friction pad 27 shown in Figure 5 has a main body 185 that is partially different from the main body 175. The main body 185 differs from the main body 175 in that it does not have a pair of mounting holes 181 formed therein. The back plate 172 has a pair of protrusions 176 similar to those on the back plate 171.

[0096] The protrusion 176 on the rotating side of the first friction pad 26 shown in Figure 4 is the same shape as the protrusion 176 on the rotating side of the second friction pad 27 shown in Figure 5, and the protrusion 176 on the rotating side of the first friction pad 26 shown in Figure 4 is the same shape as the protrusion 176 on the rotating side of the second friction pad 27 shown in Figure 5. For this reason, we will mainly refer to Figure 6 and explain using the protrusion 176 on the rotating side of the second friction pad 27 as an example.

[0097] The protruding portion 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that enters the rotational direction of the disk when it is moving forward has an inner surface portion 191, an outer surface portion 192, and a tip surface portion 193. The inner surface portion 191, the outer surface portion 192, and the tip surface portion 193 are all planar and all extend along the thickness direction of the backing plate 171.

[0098] The inner surface portion 191 and the outer surface portion 192 both extend from the main body portion 185 along the longitudinal direction of the backing plate 171. The outer surface portion 192 extends from one end of the end face 184 of the main body portion 185. The outer surface portion 192 is parallel to the inner surface portion 191 and faces in the opposite direction to the inner surface portion 191. The tip surface portion 193 is located at the end of the backing plate 171 opposite to the main body portion 185 in the longitudinal direction. The tip surface portion 193 extends perpendicularly to the inner surface portion 191 and the outer surface portion 192. A mounting hole 194 is formed in the projection portion 176, penetrating the projection portion 176 in the thickness direction. A return spring 196 is attached to this mounting hole 194 by a rivet 195, as shown in Figure 5. The return spring 196 is attached to the surface of the projection portion 176 opposite to the lining 173 in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 2.

[0099] As shown in Figure 5, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the inward rotation direction of the disc when moving forward engages with the outer pad support portion 101 attached to the third connection portion 51 of the first pad spring 24. The protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the outward rotation direction of the disc when moving forward engages with the outer pad support portion 101A attached to the fourth connection portion 52 of the second pad spring 25. As a result, the longitudinal direction of the second friction pad 27 is aligned with the disc rotation direction.

[0100] Here, when the second friction pad 27 is attached to the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the forward direction of the disc contacts the inner support plate portion 123 shown in Figure 7 of the outer spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 at the inner surface portion 191 on the inner side in the radial direction of the disc. This causes the inner support plate portion 123 to elastically deform inward in the radial direction of the disc so that it approaches the extended plate portion 114, and the first pad spring 24 is inserted into the outer guide recess 120 shown in Figure 5. At that time, the main body portion 185 of the second friction pad 27 contacts the support plate portion 133 shown in Figure 7 of the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 at the end face 184 on the side that rotates in the forward direction of the disc, and this causes the support plate portion 133 to elastically deform outward in the disc rotation direction so that it approaches the outer plate portion 111. Furthermore, at that time, the protruding portion 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the forward direction of the disc rotation, as shown in Figure 5, comes into contact with the inner support plate portion 123 (see Figure 10) of the outer spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25 at the inner surface portion 191 on the inner side in the radial direction of the disc. This causes the inner support plate portion 123 to elastically deform inward in the radial direction of the disc, bringing it closer to the extension plate portion 114, and inserting it into the guide recess 120A located in the fourth connection portion 52, as shown in Figure 5.

[0101] As described above, the second friction pad 27 is supported by the third connection portion 51 when the disc rotates, with the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side entering the disc rotation direction being inserted into the engaging recess 75 of the third connection portion 51 of the mounting member 20. At the same time, the second friction pad 27 is supported by the fourth connection portion 52 when the disc rotates, with the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side exiting the disc rotation direction being inserted into the engaging recess 75 of the fourth connection portion 52 of the mounting member 20.

[0102] In this state, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is pressed outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the outer spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24. In other words, the outer spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the radial direction of the disc.

[0103] Furthermore, in this state, the main body 185 of the second friction pad 27 is pressed toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward by the biasing force of the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24. In other words, the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the disc rotational direction.

[0104] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is pressed outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the outer spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25. In other words, the outer spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25 elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the radial direction of the disc.

[0105] As described above, the second friction pad 27 is biased outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the outer spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 and the outer spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25. When there is no input from the disc 11, the second friction pad 27, when biased in this way, has its protruding portion 176 on the rotational side of the disc pressed against the outer support plate portion 112 of the outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 at its outer surface portion 192, resulting in surface contact.

[0106] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the forward direction of the disc rotation presses against the outer support plate portion 112 of the outer guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 at its outer surface portion 192, making surface contact.

[0107] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is supported by the outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 so as to be movable in the direction of the disc axis.

[0108] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is supported by the outer guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 so as to be movable in the direction of the disc axis.

[0109] The second friction pad 27, which is biased toward the rotational side in the direction of forward movement of the disc by the biasing force of the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, makes surface contact with the wall plate portion 113A of the outer guide recess 120A of the second pad spring 25 at the tip surface portion 193 of its outer end in the direction of disc rotation, when there is no input from the disc 11.

[0110] Furthermore, in this state, as shown in Figure 6, the tip surface 193 of the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side of the second friction pad 27 does not contact the wall plate portion 113 of the outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24, and there is a gap S in the direction of disc rotation between the wall plate portion 113 and the second friction pad 27.

[0111] The outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 has a wall plate portion 113 that curves toward the second friction pad 27 from the third surface portion 63 of the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51. When the tip surface portion 193 of the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side of the second friction pad 27 comes into contact with this wall plate portion 113, the second friction pad 27 elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the direction of disc rotation. In both the outer spring plate portion 131 and the wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24, the spring constant of the spring plate portion 131 is smaller than the spring constant of the wall plate portion 113.

[0112] In the disc brake 10, as schematically shown in Figure 11, the state described above results in a first state in which one of the outer spring plate portion 131 and wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 is in contact with the second friction pad 27, and the other has a gap S between it and the second friction pad 27. The outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is positioned radially outward from the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24. In this first state, the second friction pad 27 has a gap S between it and the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 due to the support of the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24.

[0113] The first pad spring 24 has a spring plate portion 121 on its outer side that contacts the second friction pad 27 and supports the second friction pad 27 radially outward in the disc direction. When the vehicle is braking in reverse, the apex of the curve of the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 contacts the center of the projection 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the disc rotation direction during reverse, in the direction of the reference line in the disc radial direction.

[0114] As shown in Figure 4, the projection 176 on the inward rotation side of the first friction pad 26 engages with the inner pad support portion 101 attached to the first connection portion 46 of the first pad spring 24. The projection 176 on the outward rotation side of the first friction pad 26 engages with the inner pad support portion 101A attached to the second connection portion 47 of the second pad spring 25. As a result, the longitudinal direction of the first friction pad 26 is aligned with the direction of disc rotation.

[0115] Here, when the first friction pad 26 is attached to the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25, similar to the second friction pad 27, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of disk rotation when moving forward contacts the inner support plate portion 123 of the inner spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 shown in Figure 7 at the inner surface portion 191 on the inner side in the radial direction of the disk, and elastically deforms this inner support plate portion 123 so that it approaches the extended plate portion 114, and is inserted into the guide recess 120 of the first connecting portion 46 shown in Figure 4. At that time, the main body portion 175 of the first friction pad 26 contacts the support plate portion 133 of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 shown in Figure 7 at the end face 184 on the side that rotates in the direction of disk rotation when moving forward, and elastically deforms this support plate portion 133 outward in the direction of disk rotation so that it approaches the outer plate portion 111. Furthermore, at that time, the projection 176 on the side of the first friction pad 26 that rotates in the forward direction of the disc rotation, as shown in Figure 4, comes into contact with the inner support plate portion 123 of the inner spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25, as shown in Figure 10, at the inner surface portion 191 on the inner side in the radial direction of the disc. This causes the inner support plate portion 123 to elastically deform closer to the extension plate portion 114, and it is then inserted into the guide recess 120A of the second connection portion 47.

[0116] As described above, the first friction pad 26 is supported by the first connection portion 46 when the disc rotates forward, with the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side being inserted into the engaging recess 75 of the first connection portion 46 of the mounting member 20. At the same time, the first friction pad 26 is supported by the second connection portion 47 when the disc rotates forward, with the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side being inserted into the engaging recess 75 of the second connection portion 47 of the mounting member 20.

[0117] In this state, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is pressed outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the inner spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24. In other words, the inner spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the radial direction of the disc.

[0118] Furthermore, in this state, the main body 175 of the first friction pad 26 is pressed toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward by the biasing force of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24. In other words, the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the disc rotation direction.

[0119] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is pressed outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the inner spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25. In other words, the inner spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25 elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the radial direction of the disc.

[0120] As described above, the first friction pad 26 is biased outward in the radial direction of the disc by the biasing force of the inner spring plate portion 121 of the first pad spring 24 and the inner spring plate portion 121 of the second pad spring 25. When there is no input from the disc 11, the first friction pad 26, when biased in this way, has its protruding portion 176 on the rotational side of the disc pressed against the outer support plate portion 112 of the inner guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 at its outer surface portion 192, resulting in surface contact.

[0121] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of forward disc rotation is pressed against the outer support plate portion 112 of the inner guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 at the outer surface portion 192, making surface contact.

[0122] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is supported by the inner guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 so as to be movable in the direction of the disc axis.

[0123] Furthermore, in this state, the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward is supported by the inner guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 so as to be movable in the direction of the disc axis.

[0124] The first friction pad 26, which is biased toward the rotational side in the direction of forward movement of the disc by the biasing force of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, makes surface contact with the wall plate portion 113A of the inner guide recess 120A of the second pad spring 25 at the tip surface portion 193 of its outer end in the direction of disc rotation, when there is no input from the disc 11.

[0125] Furthermore, in this state, the tip surface 193 of the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side of the first friction pad 26 does not contact the wall plate portion 113 of the inner guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24, and there is a gap between the wall plate portion 113 and the first friction pad 26 in the direction of disc rotation.

[0126] The inner guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 has a wall plate portion 113 that curves toward the first friction pad 26 from the third surface portion 63 of the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connection portion 46. When the tip surface portion 193 of the protruding portion 176 on the rotating side of the first friction pad 26 comes into contact with this wall plate portion 113, the first friction pad 26 elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the direction of disc rotation. In both the inner spring plate portion 131 and the wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24, the spring constant of the spring plate portion 131 is smaller than the spring constant of the wall plate portion 113.

[0127] In the disc brake 10, the state described above is a first state in which one of the inner spring plate portion 131 and wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 is in contact with the first friction pad 26, and the other has a gap between it and the first friction pad 26. The inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is positioned radially outward from the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24. In this first state, the first friction pad 26 has a gap between it and the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 due to the support of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24.

[0128] The first pad spring 24 has a spring plate portion 121 on its inner side that contacts the first friction pad 26 and supports the first friction pad 26 radially outward in the disc direction. When the vehicle is braking in reverse, the apex of the curve of the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 contacts the center of the projection 176 on the side of the first friction pad 26 that rotates in the disc rotation direction during reverse, in the direction of the reference line in the disc radial direction.

[0129] As shown in Figure 2, the outer second friction pad 27 is positioned with the lining 173 facing the outer second braking surface 11b of the disc 11. The inner first friction pad 26 is positioned with the lining 173 facing the inner first braking surface 11a of the disc 11. The second friction pad 27 contacts the second braking surface 11b of the disc 11 on the side of the lining 173 opposite to the backing plate 172. The first friction pad 26 contacts the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11 on the side of the lining 173 opposite to the backing plate 171.

[0130] As shown in Figure 4, the wear sensor 183 attached to the inner first friction pad 26 is positioned on the rotational side of the first friction pad 26 in the forward direction of disc rotation.

[0131] A pair of return springs 196 provided on the inner first friction pad 26 are positioned on both ends of the first friction pad 26 in the direction of disc rotation. The return spring 196 attached to the entry side of the first friction pad 26 in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward contacts the surface of the first connection portion 46 opposite to the disc 11 in the direction of disc axis. The return spring 196 attached to the exit side of the first friction pad 26 in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward contacts the surface of the second connection portion 47 opposite to the disc 11 in the direction of disc axis. These return springs 196 bias the first friction pad 26, which has moved toward the disc 11 in the direction of disc axis, toward the disc 11.

[0132] As shown in Figure 5, the pair of return springs 196 provided on the outer second friction pad 27 are positioned on both ends of the second friction pad 27 in the direction of disc rotation. The return spring 196 attached to the entry side of the second friction pad 27 in the direction of disc rotation when it is moving forward contacts the surface of the third connection portion 51 opposite to the disc 11 in the direction of the disc axis. The return spring 196 attached to the exit side of the second friction pad 27 in the direction of disc rotation when it is moving forward contacts the surface of the fourth connection portion 52 opposite to the disc 11 in the direction of the disc axis. These return springs 196 bias the second friction pad 27, which has moved toward the disc 11 in the direction of the disc axis, toward the disc 11.

[0133] As shown in Figure 1, the caliper 21 comprises a caliper body 201, a first slide pin 202, a second slide pin 203, a mounting bolt 204, a mounting bolt (not shown), and a piston (not shown).

[0134] The caliper 21 has a nearly mirror-symmetric shape, with the radial reference line and radial reference plane passing through the center of the caliper 21 in the direction of disc rotation. The first slide pin 202 of the caliper 21 is fixed to the caliper body 201 by a mounting bolt 204. The second slide pin 203 of the caliper 21 is also fixed to the caliper body 201 by a mounting bolt (not shown). These pair of first slide pins 202 and second slide pins 203 are aligned axially with each other and are arranged parallel to each other.

[0135] The mounting member 20 has a first pin insertion hole (not shown) that extends along the disk axis from the inner end face of the first connecting portion 33 to an intermediate position within the first connecting portion 33. The mounting member 20 also has a second pin insertion hole (not shown) that extends along the disk axis from the inner end face of the second connecting portion 34 to an intermediate position within the second connecting portion 34. The caliper 21 has a first slide pin 202 that is slidably fitted into the first pin insertion hole (not shown) of the mounting member 20. The caliper 21 also has a second slide pin 203 that is slidably fitted into the second pin insertion hole (not shown) of the mounting member 20.

[0136] As a result, the caliper 21 is supported on the mounting member 20 such that the caliper body 201 is slidable along the disc axis direction via the first slide pin 202 and the second slide pin 203. In other words, the mounting member 20 supports the caliper 21 so that it is slidable along the disc axis direction at a pair of first connecting portions 33 and second connecting portions 34. Thus, the caliper 21 is mounted on the mounting member 20 so as to be movable in the disc axis direction. The first pin boot 22 covers the portion of the first slide pin 202 that protrudes from the mounting member 20. The second pin boot 23 covers the portion of the second slide pin 203 that protrudes from the mounting member 20.

[0137] The caliper body 201 has a shape that is nearly mirror-symmetric. The radial reference line and radial reference plane pass through the center position of the caliper body 201 in the direction of disc rotation. The caliper body 201 comprises a cylinder portion 221, a bridge portion 222, a claw portion 223, a first pin arrangement portion 224, and a second pin arrangement portion 225.

[0138] The cylinder portion 221 is positioned on the inner side of the disc 11 in the disc axial direction. The bridge portion 222 extends outward along the disc axial direction from the radially outer portion of the cylinder portion 221, straddling the outer circumference of the disc 11. The claw portion 223 extends inward in the disc radial direction from the portion of the bridge portion 222 opposite to the cylinder portion 221, and is positioned on the outer side of the disc 11. The first pin mounting portion 224 is positioned on the forward rotation side of the cylinder portion 221. The second pin mounting portion 225 is positioned on the forward rotation side of the cylinder portion 221. The first slide pin 202 is fixed to the first pin mounting portion 224 of the caliper body 201 by a mounting bolt 204. The second slide pin 203 is fixed to the second pin mounting portion 225 of the caliper body 201 by a mounting bolt (not shown).

[0139] The cylinder portion 221 has a cylinder bore (not shown) formed therein. The cylinder bore (not shown) is recessed in the direction opposite to the disc 11 from the end face of the cylinder portion 221 on the disc 11 side in the disc axial direction. Therefore, the cylinder bore (not shown) opens toward the disc 11. The cylinder bore (not shown) is aligned with the disc axial direction. Multiple cylinder bores (not shown) are formed in the cylinder portion 221, specifically two locations, arranged in the circumferential direction of the disc. A piston (not shown) is housed in each of these cylinder bores (not shown). Therefore, the caliper 21 is a two-pot type caliper. The claw portion 223 is provided facing the cylinder portion 221 in the disc axial direction.

[0140] A piston (not shown) is housed in a cylinder bore (not shown) of the cylinder portion 221 so as to be movable in the direction of the disc axis. The piston (not shown) faces the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11. A first friction pad 26 is positioned between the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11 and the piston (not shown). When the piston (not shown) moves forward toward the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11, it presses against the first friction pad 26.

[0141] When braking while the vehicle is moving forward, brake fluid is introduced into the disc brake 10 via brake piping (not shown) between the cylinder bore (not shown) of the cylinder portion 221 of the caliper 21 and the piston (not shown). As a result, brake fluid pressure acts on the piston (not shown) in the cylinder portion 221 of the caliper 21, causing the piston (not shown) to move forward toward the disc 11. This forward-moving piston (not shown) presses the inner first friction pad 26, which is positioned between the disc 11 and the caliper 21, toward the disc 11. The inner first friction pad 26 is then guided by the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25, moving in the direction of the disc axis, and contacting one of the first braking surfaces 11a of the disc 11 at the lining 173, pressing it against the disc 11.

[0142] At this time, the inner first friction pad 26 is also pressed in the forward direction of disc rotation by the frictional force with the rotating disc 11. Then, the torque receiving portion 60 of the second connection portion 47 on the inner side of the mounting member 20, which is on the forward direction of disc rotation as shown in Figure 4, receives braking torque from the protruding portion 176 of the first friction pad 26 on the forward direction of disc rotation via the wall plate portion 113A of the inner guide recess 120A of the second pad spring 25.

[0143] Due to the reaction force of the piston (not shown) pressing the first friction pad 26 against the disc 11, the caliper 21 shown in Figure 1 moves in the disc axial direction, with the caliper body 201 sliding the first slide pin 202 and the second slide pin 203 relative to the mounting member 20. Then, the claw portion 223 of the caliper body 201 presses the outer second friction pad 27, which is positioned between the claw portion 223 and the disc 11, toward the disc 11. Then, the outer second friction pad 27 is guided by the mounting member 20 via the first pad spring 24 and the second pad spring 25 and moves in the disc axial direction, contacting the other second braking surface 11b of the disc 11 at the lining 173 and pressing against the disc 11.

[0144] At this time, the outer second friction pad 27 is also pressed in the forward direction of disc rotation by the frictional force with the rotating disc 11. Then, the torque receiving portion 60 of the fourth connection portion 52 on the outer side of the mounting member 20, which is on the forward direction of disc rotation and shown in Figure 5, receives braking torque from the protruding portion 176 of the second friction pad 27 on the forward direction of disc rotation via the wall plate portion 113A of the outer guide recess 120A of the second pad spring 25.

[0145] The caliper 21 shown in Figure 1, which is slidably supported by the mounting member 20, thus clamps a pair of first friction pads 26 and second friction pads 27 from both sides in the disc axial direction with the piston (not shown) and the claw portion 223, by the operation of the piston (not shown). The caliper 21 then presses the first friction pad 26 against the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11 and the second friction pad 27 against the second braking surface 11b of the disc 11. As a result, the disc brake 10 applies frictional resistance to the disc 11 and generates braking force. The caliper 21 is a so-called fist-type (slide-type) caliper.

[0146] When braking while the vehicle is moving in reverse, the disc brake 10 presses the first friction pad 26 against the first braking surface 11a of the disc 11 and the second friction pad 27 against the second braking surface 11b of the disc 11, as described above. At the same time, the first friction pad 26 and the second friction pad 27 are pressed by the disc 11, which rotates in the opposite direction to the disc rotation direction during reverse movement, in the opposite direction to the disc rotation direction described above.

[0147] Then, the first friction pad 26 presses the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 against the reversing disc rotation direction rotation side end face 184 of the main body portion 175 with the reversing disc rotation direction rotation side end face 184, causing elastic deformation. Subsequently, the first friction pad 26 contacts the apex of the curve of the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 at the center of the projection portion 176 on the reversing disc rotation direction rotation side in the direction of the disc radial reference line. Subsequently, the projection portion 176 presses the wall plate portion 113 against the reversing disc rotation direction rotation side with its tip surface portion 193, causing elastic deformation. After that, the wall plate portion 113 finally becomes flat and comes into surface contact with the third surface portion 63, which is the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46, and the tip surface portion 193 of the projection portion 176 on the reversing disc rotation direction rotation side of the first friction pad 26.

[0148] In this state, the disc brake 10 enters a second state in which the gap between the tip surface 193 of the projection 176 on the side of the first friction pad 26 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing, and the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 is filled by the movement of the first friction pad 26. In the second state, the torque receiving portion 60 of the first connecting portion 46 on the inner side of the mounting member 20 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing receives braking torque from the projection 176 on the side of the first friction pad 26 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing, via the inner wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24, at the third surface portion 63.

[0149] Furthermore, the second friction pad 27, which is pressed by the disc 11 in the direction of rotation of the disc during reversal, presses the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 shown in Figure 6 with the end face 184 of the main body 185 on the direction of rotation of the disc during reversal, causing elastic deformation. Subsequently, the second friction pad 27 contacts the apex of the curve of the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 at the center of the projection 176 on the direction of the disc radial reference line in the direction of rotation of the disc during reversal. Then, the projection 176 presses the wall plate portion 113 on the direction of rotation of the disc during reversal with its tip surface portion 193, causing elastic deformation. Subsequently, the wall plate portion 113 eventually becomes flat, and comes into surface contact with the tip surface portion 193 of the projection portion 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when retracted, and with the third surface portion 63, which is the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51.

[0150] In this state, the disc brake 10 enters a second state in which the gap S between the tip surface 193 of the projection 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing, and the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24 is filled by the movement of the second friction pad 27. In the second state, the torque receiving portion 60 of the third connecting portion 51 on the outer side of the mounting member 20 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing receives braking torque from the projection 176 on the side of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when reversing, via the outer wall plate portion 113 of the first pad spring 24, at the third surface portion 63.

[0151] Patent Document 1, mentioned above, discloses a disc brake having a pad spring attached to a mounting member that elastically supports the friction pad. However, in disc brakes, it is desirable to suppress the generation of abnormal noise. For example, in a disc brake, when the vehicle changes from a forward braking state to a reverse braking state, the friction pad may move within the mounting member, generating a knocking sound, a so-called cronk noise, between the friction pad and the mounting member. In disc brakes, it is desirable to suppress the generation of such abnormal noise.

[0152] In the embodiment, the disc brake 10 has a first pad spring 24 on the rotational side of the disc when moving forward, which has an outer spring plate portion 131 and a guide recess 120. The outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the disc rotation direction. The outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 is offset in the disc radial direction relative to the outer spring plate portion 131, covers the outer torque receiving portion 60, and elastically supports the second friction pad 27 in the disc rotation direction. The disc brake 10 has a first state and a second state on the outer side. In the first state on the outer side, the spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, which is one of the outer spring plate portion 131 and the guide recess 120, is in contact with the second friction pad 27, while the other, the guide recess 120, has a gap S between the wall plate portion 113 and the second friction pad 27. In the second state on the outer side, this gap S is filled by the movement of the second friction pad 27. Therefore, when the disc brake 10 changes from a braking state when the vehicle is moving forward to a braking state when moving backward, on the outer side, the second friction pad 27 moves from the first state to the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving backward, causing the spring plate portion 131 on the outer side of the first pad spring 24 to elastically deform. Subsequently, the second friction pad 27 elastically deforms both the outer spring plate portion 131 and the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24, thereby filling the gap S between the wall plate portion 113 and the second friction pad 27, entering a second state. As a result, the first pad spring 24 elastically deforms in stages, absorbing the collision energy of the second friction pad 27 with the mounting member 20. Consequently, the disc brake 10 can suppress the generation of knocking noises, such as the so-called "cronk" noise, that occur when the second friction pad 27 moves within the mounting member 20 and generates noises between it and the mounting member 20 when the vehicle changes from a braking state while moving forward to a braking state while moving backward.

[0153] Furthermore, each first pad spring 24 has an inner spring plate portion 131 and a guide recess 120. The inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the disc rotation direction. The inner guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24 is offset in the disc radial direction relative to the inner spring plate portion 131, covers the inner torque receiving portion 60, and elastically supports the first friction pad 26 in the disc rotation direction. The disc brake 10 also has a first state and a second state on the inner side. In the first state on the inner side, in each of the first pad springs 24, the spring plate portion 131, which is one of the inner spring plate portion 131 and the guide recess 120, is in contact with the first friction pad 26, and the other, the guide recess 120, has a gap between the wall plate portion 113 and the first friction pad 26. In the second state on the inner side, the gap is filled by the movement of the first friction pad 26. Therefore, when the disc brake 10 changes from a braking state when the vehicle is moving forward to a braking state when moving backward, on the inner side, the first friction pad 26 moves from the first state to the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving backward, causing elastic deformation of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24. Subsequently, the first friction pad 26 elastically deforms both the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 and the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120, entering a second state in which the gap between the wall plate portion 113 and the first friction pad 26 is filled. Thus, the first pad spring 24 undergoes stepwise elastic deformation to absorb the collision energy of the first friction pad 26 with the mounting member 20. As a result, the disc brake 10 can suppress the generation of abnormal noises such as knocking sounds, or so-called cronk noises, that occur when the first friction pad 26 moves within the mounting member 20 and generates noises between it and the mounting member 20 when the vehicle changes from a braking state when moving forward to a braking state when moving backward.

[0154] In a non-braking state, the disc brake 10 enters a first state, which allows the second friction pad 27 to be pressed by the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward. Therefore, the disc brake 10 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise that would otherwise occur when the second friction pad 27 moves toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward within the mounting member 20 during braking from a non-braking state while the vehicle is moving forward.

[0155] Furthermore, in a non-braking state, the disc brake 10 enters a first state, which allows the first friction pad 26 to be pressed by the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward. Therefore, the disc brake 10 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise that would otherwise occur when the first friction pad 26 moves toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward within the mounting member 20 during braking from a non-braking state while the vehicle is moving forward.

[0156] When the brake is released, the disc brake 10 enters a first state in which the second friction pad 27 is pressed toward the forward rotation direction of the disc by only the spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, which is one of the outer spring plate portion 131 and the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120. Therefore, the disc brake 10 can reduce the frictional force between the second friction pad 27 and the outer guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 when the brake is released, and can suppress the dragging of the second friction pad 27 toward the disc 11 when the brake is released.

[0157] Furthermore, when the brake is released, the disc brake 10 enters a first state in which the first pad spring 24 is pressed against the first friction pad 26 in the forward rotation direction of the disc by only the spring plate portion 131, which is one of the inner spring plate portion 131 and the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120. Therefore, the disc brake 10 can reduce the frictional force between the first friction pad 26 and the inner guide recess 120 of the second pad spring 25 when the brake is released, and can suppress the dragging of the first friction pad 26 against the disc 11 when the brake is released.

[0158] Furthermore, the disc brake 10 may have a first state in which the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120, which is one of the outer spring plate portion 131 and guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24, abuts against the second friction pad 27, and the other spring plate portion 131 has a gap between it and the second friction pad 27, and a second state in which this gap is filled as the second friction pad 27 moves. Alternatively, the disc brake 10 may have a first state in which the wall plate portion 113 of the guide recess 120, which is one of the inner spring plate portion 131 and guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24, abuts against the first friction pad 26, and the other spring plate portion 131 has a gap between it and the first friction pad 26, and a second state in which this gap is filled as the first friction pad 26 moves. In any of these cases, the same effects as described above are achieved.

[0159] In the disc brake 10, the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is positioned radially outward from the outer guide recess 120. In the first state described above, the outer spring plate portion 131 is in contact with the second friction pad 27, and the outer guide recess 120 has a gap S between the wall plate portion 113 and the second friction pad 27. Therefore, in the non-braking state, the disc brake 10 enters the first state, which allows the second friction pad 27 to be pressed toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward by the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, which is positioned radially outward from the outer guide recess 120. Thus, the disc brake 10 can effectively suppress rattling of the second friction pad 27 in the non-braking state while the vehicle is moving forward.

[0160] Furthermore, in the disc brake 10, the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is positioned radially outward from the inner guide recess 120. In the first state described above, the inner spring plate portion 131 is in contact with the first friction pad 26, and the inner guide recess 120 has a gap between the wall plate portion 113 and the first friction pad 26. Therefore, in the non-braking state, the disc brake 10 enters the first state, which allows the first friction pad 26 to be pressed toward the rotational direction of the disc when moving forward by the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, which is positioned radially outward from the inner guide recess 120. Thus, the disc brake 10 can effectively suppress rattling of the first friction pad 26 in the non-braking state while the vehicle is moving forward.

[0161] In the disc brake 10, the spring constant of the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is smaller than the spring constant of the wall plate portion 113 of the outer guide recess 120. Therefore, when braking is released, the disc brake 10 uses the outer spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, whose spring constant is lower than that of the wall plate portion 113 of the outer guide recess 120, to press the second friction pad 27 toward the rotational direction of the disc during forward movement. As a result, the disc brake 10 can further suppress the drag of the second friction pad 27 toward the disc 11 when braking is released.

[0162] Furthermore, in the disc brake 10, the spring constant of the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24 is smaller than the spring constant of the wall plate portion 113 of the inner guide recess 120. Therefore, when braking is released, the disc brake 10 uses the inner spring plate portion 131 of the first pad spring 24, whose spring constant is lower than that of the wall plate portion 113 of the inner guide recess 120, to press the first friction pad 26 toward the rotational direction of the disc during forward movement. As a result, the disc brake 10 can further suppress the drag of the first friction pad 26 toward the disc 11 when braking is released.

[0163] The disc brake 10 has a wall plate portion 113 that curves toward the second friction pad 27 from the third surface portion 63, which is the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion 60 on the outer side and the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward, in the outer side of the guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24. Therefore, the disc brake 10 can achieve the above effect with a simple structure that curves the shape of the wall plate portion 113 of the outer side guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24.

[0164] Furthermore, the disc brake 10 has a wall plate portion 113 that curves toward the first friction pad 26 from the third surface portion 63, which is the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion 60 on the inner side and the side that rotates in the direction of disc rotation when moving forward, in the guide recess 120 on the inner side of the disc brake 10.

[0165] The disc brake 10 includes an outer spring plate portion 121 that contacts the second friction pad 27 and supports the second friction pad 27 radially outward from the disc when the first pad spring 24 rotates in the direction of disc rotation during forward movement. When the vehicle is braking in reverse, the first pad spring 24 has a first curved wall plate portion 113 of the outer guide recess 120 that contacts the center of a protrusion 176 located within the torque receiving portion 60 of the second friction pad 27 that rotates in the direction of disc rotation during forward movement. As a result, the disc brake 10 can effectively generate a biasing force on the second friction pad 27 by the wall plate portion 113 of the outer guide recess 120 of the first pad spring 24.

[0166] Furthermore, the disc brake 10 includes an inner spring plate portion 121 that contacts the first friction pad 26 and supports the first friction pad 26 radially outward from the disc when the first pad spring 24 rotates in the direction of disc rotation during forward movement. When the vehicle is braking in reverse, the first pad spring 24 has a curved apex at the center of the projection 176 located within the torque receiving portion 60 on the rotating side of the first friction pad 26 during forward movement. As a result, the disc brake 10 can effectively generate a biasing force on the first friction pad 26 through the wall plate portion 113 of the inner guide recess 120. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0167] 10 Disc brakes 11 discs 20 Mounting components 21 Caliper 24. First pad spring (pad spring) 26. First friction pad (friction pad) 27. Second friction pad (friction pad) 60 Torque receiving part 113 Wall panel section (elastic panel section) 120 Guide recess (second support part) 121 Spring plate section (third support section) 131 Spring plate section (first support section) 176 Protrusion S gap

Claims

[Claim 1] A mounting member that is attached to a non-rotating part of the vehicle and has a torque receiving portion in the direction of disc rotation, A friction pad that can move in the direction of the disk axis, A caliper supported by the aforementioned mounting member presses the friction pad against the disc, A disc brake comprising a pad spring attached to the mounting member and elastically supporting the friction pad, The pad spring on the rotational side of the disc is, A first support portion elastically supports the friction pad in the direction of disc rotation, A second support portion offsets the first support portion in the radial direction of the disk, covers the torque receiving portion, and elastically supports the friction pad in the direction of disk rotation, It has, In a first state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion is in contact with the friction pad, and the other has a gap between it and the friction pad. The system has a second state in which the gap is filled by the movement of the friction pad, The first support portion is positioned radially outward from the second support portion. The first state is a state in which the friction pad has a gap between itself and the second support portion due to the support of the first support portion. The spring constant of the first support is smaller than the spring constant of the second support. The second support portion has an elastic plate portion that curves from the torque receiving surface of the torque receiving portion toward the friction pad, The pad spring includes a third support portion that contacts the friction pad and supports the friction pad radially outward in the disc direction, and when the vehicle is braking in reverse, the apex of the curvature of the elastic plate portion contacts the center of the protrusion located within the torque receiving portion of the friction pad. Disc brakes.

Images