Floating-type brake caliper

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a brake caliper 1 of the floating type for a disc brake comprising a caliper body or floating element 2, a bracket or support element 3 configured to be connected to a vehicle, at least one sliding guide or guide pin 4, 5, and at least one guide dust-protection element 41, 42 for each sliding guide 4, 5, in which said at least one sliding guide 4, 5 is arranged between said caliper body 2 and said bracket 3 to allow for a relative sliding between the caliper body 2 and the bracket 3 along an axial direction A-A, in which the caliper body 2 comprises a first caliper body portion or vehicle-side caliper body portion 6, in which the first caliper body portion 6 delimits a housing seat 7 for thrust means 8, in which the caliper body 2 comprises a second caliper body portion or cantilevered caliper body portion 9, in which the second caliper body portion 9 projects from the first caliper body portion 6 at least in the axial direction A-A on an opposite side of the vehicle so that the caliper body 2 is arranged straddling a brake disc, in which each sliding guide 4, 5 comprises a guide sliding portion 10, in which the guide sliding portion 10 is slidingly housed in a respective sliding seat 11, 12, in which the respective sliding seat 11, 12 is made in said caliper body 2; in which the at least one guide dust-protection element 41, 42 is connected on axially opposite sides to the respective sliding guide 4, 5 and to the caliper body 2 forming a sealing gasket, in which the at least one guide dust-protection element 41, 42 delimits a respective sleeve cavity 43, 44 inside which the guide sliding portion 10 of the respective sliding guide 4, 5 is at least partially slidingly received; a guide fixing portion 13 either fixed or rigidly constrained to said bracket 3; a screw head 14, in which the screw head 14 delimits at least one manipulation seat 15 so that the screw head 14 is manipulatable by a user and / or tool to fix the at least one sliding guide 4, 5 to the bracket 3, said screw head 14 being arranged on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6, so that the screw head 14 is manipulatable on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 to either fix and / or remove the at least one sliding guide 4, 5 at least with respect to the bracket 3, in which the at least one sliding seat 11, 12 is axially open on the side of the bracket 3 and axially closed on the opposite side, avoiding comprising closing caps to be reversibly connected to the caliper body to close the sliding seat 11, 12.

Description

"Floating-type brake caliper"★ ★ ★DESCRIPTION

[0001] . Field of the invention

[0002] . The present invention relates to a brake caliper of the floating type .

[0003] . Background art

[0004] . In a disc brake of the floating brake caliper type , the brake caliper comprises a support structure or bracket and a caliper body slidingly mounted on the support structure by at least one sliding guide, preferably a pair of sliding guides . The support structure or bracket is adapted to be mounted on a fixed portion of the vehicle and generally arranged straddling the external peripheral margin of a brake disc, in which the brake disc is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (X-X) defining an axial direction (A-A) . The sliding movement , or floating movement of the brake caliper in installed condition is parallel to the rotation axis of the brake disc (X-X ) along the axial direction (A-A) . In addition, in a disc brake a radial direction (R-R) is defined, substantially orthogonal to said axial direction (A-A) .

[0005] . Generally, the caliper body, i . e . , the floating structure, comprises a lateral portion, arranged externally to the support structure ( generally on the hub side of the braking system) , and featuring a housing seat for thrust means or pistons , and a cantilevered or bracing portion, extending from the lateral portion in axial direction ( towards the wheel side ) on the support structureor bracket.

[0006] . As is known, brake discs for disc brakes comprise a bell adapted to associate the disc with a hub of a vehicle, from which an annular portion extends, referred to as a braking band, intended to cooperate with brake pads of a caliper.

[0007] . The brake caliper carries two brake pads associated in a sliding manner, arranged inside a housing formed in the support structure so that they can come into contact with the braking surfaces of the disc. A first brake pad, or active brake pad or active side brake pad, is pushed against the disc directly by thrust means, or pistons, housed in the lateral portion of the caliper body. A second brake pad, or reaction brake pad, opposed to the first brake pad, is pushed against the disc by the cantilevered or bracing portion of the caliper body during the sliding of the caliper body with respect to the support structure or bracket following the reaction resulting from the interaction between the first pad and the disc.

[0008] . In some known solutions, the sliding guide is fixed to the bracket and slides in a seat of the caliper body.

[0009] . In such known solutions, the sliding guide comprises a screw head adapted to be manipulated by a user, i.e., defining a grooved seat or an external profile adapted to be manipulated by a tool, a guide sliding portion, and a threaded guide portion. The threaded guide portion is configured to connect to the bracket.

[0010] . In such known solutions, the caliper body delimits two sliding seats for respective sliding guides, in which the twosliding seats are made as two holes passing axially through the caliper body inside which the sliding portion of the sliding guide is housed, and the bracket delimits two threaded fixing holes for fixing the threaded guide portion . In such known solutions , a connection and an insertion of the sliding guide in the caliper body and in the bracket on the side of the vehicle is included, along the axial direction from the lateral wall side of the caliper body towards the opposite side . In other words , once the sliding guide is connected to the caliper body, the screw head is always located on the vehicle side or on the lateral wall side of the floating caliper body housing the thrust means or piston . Furthermore , once the sliding guide is fixed to the bracket, the screw head is located inside the respective sliding seat and during normal use of the brake caliper, the sliding seats are closed on the side of the vehicle by special sealing caps configured to prevent the entry of liquids or dust inside the sliding seat, connected to the sliding seats by means of grooves made on the caliper body .

[0011] . With this insertion configuration, during brake caliper maintenance, such as during a pad change, a user or an operator is forced to work on the sliding guide from the side towards the vehicle to extract it from the brake caliper, making the procedure di fficult considering the reduced spaces between the brake caliper and the wheel axle . Furthermore, with this insertion configuration, in order to control the brake caliper or brake pads , it is always necessary to remove the sealing caps , thus exposing the sliding seats and / or guide sliding portions to dust and / or liquids from theexternal environment during maintenance . Furthermore , once the maintenance operation is finished, the user may not correctly reassemble the sealing cap or may not assemble it completely, thus leaving the sliding seat exposed to liquids and dust also during the normal use thereof , which will lead to accelerated wear of the brake caliper .

[0012] . Furthermore, considering that the lateral wall of the caliper body has a necessary si ze to house the thrust device , to which, in some brake caliper solutions , an electric motor and transmission mechanisms can be connected, the center of gravity of the caliper body is unbalanced on the lateral wall side .

[0013] . It has been found that the unbalance of the center of gravity of the floating caliper body can lead to a risk of inflection of the sliding guide which can generate greater friction during the sliding of the sliding guides or guide pins arranged between the caliper body and the support bracket which hinders the sliding itself , and consequently can lead to undesired contact between the brake pad and the brake disc or a dragging of the brake pad against the brake disc at the end of the braking action which generates residual torque which accelerates the wear of the brake pad . Further, a hindered sliding of the sliding guides or guide pins leads to an unbalanced wear of the first pad and the second pad, requiring greater maintenance as well as possible risks of dragging the brake pad once the braking is ended, generating residual dragging torque which in turn accelerates the wear of the friction material of the pads and brake disc .

[0014] . Therefore , the need is felt in the field to make floating brake caliper solutions which allow simpli fying assembly and maintenance .

[0015] . Therefore , it is the problem underlying the present invention to devise a floating-type brake caliper having structural and functional features such as to meet the aforesaid needs while obviating the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art and meeting the aforesaid felt needs .

[0016] . Solut ion

[0017] . The present invention aims to provide a f loating-type brake caliper, which allows simplifying the brake caliper maintenance and assembly or disassembly operations , as well as increasing the useful life of the brake caliper .

[0018] . This and other obj ects and advantages are achieved by a brake caliper according to the independent claims .

[0019] . Other advantageous embodiments are the subj ect of the dependent claims .

[0020] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to simplify the maintenance operations of a brake caliper, facilitating the accessibility of the sliding guides to a user responsible for maintenance .

[0021] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to free useful space for further components for the brake caliper or vehicle from the caliper body side which comprises the seat for the thrust means , which is usually on the vehicle side , i . e . , from the side where the bracket connects to the vehicle .

[0022] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to obtain brake calipers with a center of gravity of the caliper body which falls inside the sliding areas of the sliding guides on the caliper body .

[0023] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to make a brake caliper with reduced weight and reduced components .

[0024] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to make a brake caliper at lower costs , by virtue of the reduction of components and the reduced machining on the caliper body .

[0025] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to obtain a brake caliper with sliding between caliper body and bracket which is highly resistant to external stresses .

[0026] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to simplify the maintenance operations of the brake caliper and reduce , if not eliminate, the risk for the sliding portions of the sliding guides to come into contact with liquids or dusts during the pad changing operations .

[0027] . Figures

[0028] . Further features and advantages of the brake caliper will become apparent from the description provided below of preferred exemplary embodiments thereof , given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0029] . - Figure 1 depicts , in an axonometric view from the side opposite to the vehicle , a floating-type brake caliper according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising at least one sliding guide or guide pin, preferably a first sliding guide and asecond sliding guide fixed to the bracket and sliding in the caliper body, in which each sliding guide is inserted in the bracket and in the caliper body from the side opposite to the vehicle , in which each sliding guide comprises a screw head which can be manipulated by a user ;

[0030] . - Figure 2 depicts the brake caliper of Figure 1 in a sectional view parallel to the axial direction and the radial direction passing through the axis of the at least one sliding guide, preferably of the first sliding guide, in which the screw head is visible from the side opposite to the vehicle side of the floating caliper body and the fixing portion of the sliding guide fixed to the bracket , tightening it between the screw head and the guide sliding portion;

[0031] . - Figure 3 depicts the brake caliper of Figure 1 in a sectional view parallel to the axial direction and the radial direction passing through the axis of the at least one sliding guide, preferably of the second sliding guide , in which the screw head is visible from the side opposite to the vehicle side of the floating caliper body and the fixing portion of the sliding guide fixed to the bracket ;

[0032] . - Figure 4 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a guide assembly of the brake caliper of Figure 1 , in which the guide assembly comprises the first sliding guide configured to slidingly connect the bracket to the caliper body of the brake caliper of Figure 1 and a first guide dust-protection element, in which the first sliding guide comprises a guide screw and a sliding guideportion made of separate pieces and connectable to each other by threaded coupling;

[0033] . - Figure 5 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a guide assembly of the brake caliper of Figure 1 , in which the guide assembly comprises the second sliding guide configured to slidingly connect the bracket to the caliper body of the brake caliper of Figure 1 and a second guide dust-protection element, in which the second sliding guide is the same as and interchangeable with the first sliding guide ;

[0034] . - Figure 6 shows in axonometry the brake caliper of Figure 1 during a pad replacement operation, in which the guide screw of the first sliding guide is separated from the respective sliding guide portion, and the caliper body is hinged to the bracket only at the second sliding guide , allowing the li fting of the caliper body by rotation around the axis of the second sliding guide so as to allow the inspection and replacement of the brake pads , avoiding separating the sliding portion of the first guide pin and the second guide pin from the caliper body;

[0035] . - Figure 7 shows in axonometry the guide sliding portion having a shaped collar housed in a respective anti-rotation seat of the bracket, in which the collar and the respective anti-rotation seat of the bracket are shaped so as to prevent a rotation of the guide sliding portion during the fixing of the guide pin to the bracket ;

[0036] . - Figure 8 shows in axonometry the anti-rotation seat of the bracket, which has a portion delimited by a substantiallycircular edge and a radially free portion, in which a leg of the collar of the guide sliding portion radially protrudes from the radially free portion;

[0037] . - Figure 9 shows a detail of Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in which the radial clearance with which the guide screw is mounted with respect to the respective insertion seat is visible, so as to allow a connection of the guide pin to the brake caliper with the insertion seat of the bracket and the sliding seat of the non- concentric caliper body within said radial clearance, thereby allowing the assembly of the pieces without forcing or interference .

[0038] . Description of some preferred embodiments

[0039] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a brake caliper of the floating type for a disc brake is indicated by reference numeral 1 .

[0040] . The brake caliper 1 comprises a caliper body or floating element 2 , a bracket or support element 3 configured to be connected to a vehicle , at least one sliding guide or guide pin 4 , 5, and at least one guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 for each sliding guide 4 , 5.

[0041] . The at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 is arranged between said caliper body 2 and said bracket 3 to allow a relative sliding between the caliper body 2 and the bracket 3 along an axial direction A-A.

[0042] . The caliper body 2 comprises a first caliper body portion or vehicle-side caliper body portion 6 , in which the first caliperbody portion 6 delimits a housing seat 7 for thrust means 8 .

[0043] . The caliper body 2 comprises a second caliper body portion or cantilevered caliper body portion 9, in which the second caliper body portion 9 proj ects from the first caliper body portion 6 at least in the axial direction A-A on one side opposite to the vehicle so that the caliper body 2 is arranged straddling a brake disc .

[0044] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a guide sliding portion 10 . The guide sliding portion 10 is slidingly housed in a respective sliding seat 11 , 12 , in which the respective sliding seat 11 , 12 is obtained in said caliper body 2 . The at least one guide dustprotection element 41 , 42 is connected on axially opposite sides to the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 and to the caliper body 2 forming a sealing gasket . The at least one guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 delimits a respective sleeve cavity 43 , 44 in which the guide sliding portion 10 of the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 is at least partially slidingly accommodated .

[0045] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a respective guide fixing portion 13 fixed or rigidly constrained to said bracket 3 .

[0046] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a respective screw head 14 , in which the screw head 14 delimits at least one manipulation seat 15 so that the screw head 14 can be manipulated by a user and / or a tool to fix the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 to the bracket 3 .

[0047] . Advantageously, said screw head 14 is arranged on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6, so that the screw head 14 can be manipulated on the side axially opposite to thefirst caliper body portion 6 to fix and / or remove the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 at least with respect to the bracket 3 .

[0048] . Advantageously, the at least one sliding seat 11 , 12 is axially open on the side of the bracket 3 and is axially closed on the opposite side by a caliper body bottom wall 28 forming a blind hole or the at least one sliding seat 11 , 12 is axially open on the side of the bracket 3 and is axially closed on the opposite side by the respective guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprising a closing wall 45 so that the respective sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is open on one side and closed on the other side .

[0049] . Advantageously, the brake caliper 1 avoids comprising closing caps to be reversibly connected to the caliper body to close the sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0050] . Thereby, the brake caliper 1 has the weight of the screw head 14 on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 , avoiding adding weight to the first caliper body portion 6 and / or allowing the weight of the caliper body to be unloaded onto the guide sliding portion 10 , avoiding and / or reducing the risk of inflection of the sliding guide by improving the balance of the center of gravity of the brake caliper, and on the other hand it is possible to allow easier maintenance of the brake caliper, the screw head 14 being easily accessible from the side opposite to the brake caliper part connected to the vehicle .

[0051] . Furthermore, it is possible to envisage the use of sliding guides which remain f luid-tightly connected to the respective sliding seats , avoiding having to manipulate closing caps of thesliding seats to at least partially separate the caliper body from the support bracket during maintenance operations .

[0052] . In one embodiment , the bracket 3 is shaped so as to be arranged straddling the brake disc .

[0053] . In one embodiment , the bracket 3 comprises a connecting flange 16 configured to be rigidly connected to a suspension of the vehicle through connecting means , for example screws or bolts and nuts .

[0054] . In one embodiment, the bracket 3 comprises at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 .

[0055] . In one embodiment, the at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 , preferably each bracket connecting portion, delimits a respective bracket through-hole 19 along the axial direction A-A.

[0056] . In one embodiment , the bracket through-hole 19 extends between a first bracket opening 20 and a second bracket opening 21 , in which the first bracket opening 20 faces the first caliper body portion 6 and the second bracket opening 21 faces the opposite side .

[0057] . In one embodiment, each bracket through-hole 19 delimits a respective insertion seat 35, 36 for at least partially inserting the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and fixing the guide fixing portion 13 to the bracket 3 .

[0058] . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and / or the guide fixing portion 13 comprises a guide screw 46, 47 and the guide sliding portion 10 in separate and reversibly couplable pieces . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and / or the guide fixing portion 13 comprises a threaded guideseat 48 , preferably the threaded guide seat is delimited by the guide sliding portion 10 , in which the guide screw 46, 47 and the guide sliding portion 10 are made in separate pieces and preferably connected by threaded coupling .

[0059] . In one embodiment , the guide screw 46, 47 comprises said screw head 13 and a screw shank 50 extending from said screw head 13 to a threaded screw portion 49.

[0060] . In one embodiment, the screw shank 50 is housed in the bracket through-hole 19 , in which the threaded screw portion 49 is coupled to the threaded guide seat 48 by tightening the at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 between the screw head 14 and the guide sliding portion 10 , fixing the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and the guide fixing portion 13 to the bracket 3 .

[0061] . In one embodiment , the guide sliding portion 10 is slidingly inserted into the at least one sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0062] . In one embodiment , the connecting flange 16 comprises a first U-shaped bracket portion 33 . In one embodiment , the at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 proj ects along the axial direction A-A from the connecting flange 16 , preferably from the first U-shaped bracket portion 33 . In one embodiment, the at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 comprises a first bracket connecting portion 17 and a second bracket connecting portion 18 proj ecting along the axial direction A-A from the connecting flange 16 , preferably from the first U-shaped bracket portion 33 .

[0063] . In one embodiment, the bracket comprises a second U-shaped bracket portion 34 on one side axially opposite to the first U-shaped bracket portion 33 . In one embodiment , the second U-shaped bracket portion 34 forms a reinforcing element or flange tangentially connecting the first bracket connecting portion 17 and the second bracket connecting portion 18 . In one embodiment, the first bracket connecting portion 17 and the second bracket connecting portion 18 form connecting bridges between the first U- shaped bracket portion 33 and the second U-shaped bracket portion 34 so as to arrange the bracket straddling the brake disc .

[0064] . In one embodiment, the at least one insertion seat 35 , 36 comprises a first insertion seat 35 and a second insertion seat 36 .

[0065] . In one embodiment , the bracket through-hole 19 of the first bracket connecting portion 17 and the bracket through-hole 19 of the second bracket connecting portion 18 delimit the preferably cylindrical first insertion seat 35 and second insertion seat 36 , respectively .

[0066] . In one embodiment, the bracket 3 defines a first pad seat 39 and a second pad seat 40 respectively configured to support a first brake pad 37 and a second brake pad 38 . In one embodiment, the first bracket connecting portion 17 and the second bracket connecting portion 18 comprise respective support portions delimiting support surfaces for the brake pads . In one embodiment, each pad seat 39 , 40 is at least partially delimited by said support surfaces for the brake pads .

[0067] . In one embodiment , the first caliper body portion 6 comprises at least one caliper body connecting portion 22 , 23 .

[0068] . In one embodiment , the at least one caliper bodyconnecting portion 22 , 23 comprises a respective caliper body hole 24 extending along a direction parallel to or coincident with the axial direction A-A between a caliper body bracket side opening 28 and a caliper body bottom wall 28 forming a blind hole .

[0069] . In one embodiment , the at least one caliper body connecting portion 22 , 23 comprises a respective caliper body hole 24 extending along a direction parallel to or coincident with the axial direction A-A between a caliper body bracket side opening 28 and a caliper body counter-bracket-side opening 26, thus forming a through-hole .

[0070] . In one embodiment , the caliper body hole 24 delimits the respective sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0071] . In one embodiment, the first caliper body portion 6 comprises a central portion 30 , a first tangential portion 31 and a second tangential portion 32 . In one embodiment, the first tangential portion 31 and the second tangential portion 32 extend from the central portion 30 on tangentially opposite sides at least along a tangential direction T-T perpendicular to the axial direction A-A.

[0072] . In one embodiment , the central portion 30 delimits said housing seat 7 for said thrust means 8 .

[0073] . In one embodiment , the at least one caliper body connecting portion 22 , 23 comprises a first caliper body connecting portion 22 and a second caliper body connecting portion 23 .

[0074] . In one embodiment , the first tangential portion 31 , at a distal end thereof with respect to the central portion 30 , supportsthe first caliper body connecting portion 22 . In one embodiment , the second tangential portion 32 , at a distal end thereof with respect to the central portion 30 , supports the second caliper body connecting portion 23 .

[0075] . In one embodiment , the first caliper body connecting portion 22 and the second caliper body connecting portion 23 each comprise said respective caliper body hole 24 .

[0076] . In one embodiment, the caliper body hole 24 of the first caliper body connecting portion 23 is a blind hole and in which the caliper body hole 24 of the second caliper body connecting portion 23 is a through-hole or in which each caliper body hole 24 is a through-hole or in which each caliper body hole 24 is a blind hole .

[0077] . In one embodiment, each screw shank 50 is housed in the respective bracket insertion seat 35, 36 with a radial clearance R so as to allow a connection between the guide screw 46, 47 and the sliding portion 10 even if the bracket insertion seat 35, 36 and the threaded guide seat 48 and / or the sliding seat 11 , 12 are not coaxial and / or aligned within said radial clearance R .

[0078] . In one embodiment, the screw shank 50 has a shank diameter DI .

[0079] . In one embodiment, the through-hole of the bracket insertion seat 35, 36 has a maximum through-hole diameter D2 .

[0080] . In one embodiment, the maximum through-hole diameter D2 is greater than said radial clearance R with respect to said shank diameter DI .

[0081] . In one embodiment, said radial clearance R is between 0 . 1mm and 4 mm, preferably between 0 . 1 mm and 2 mm .

[0082] . In one embodiment, the screw head 14 has a maximum head diameter D3 , in which the maximum head diameter D3 is greater than the maximum through-hole diameter D2 .

[0083] . In one embodiment, the guide sliding portion 10 comprises a guide abutment portion 51 .

[0084] . In one embodiment, the guide abutment portion 51 abuts against the bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 .

[0085] . In one embodiment , the bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 comprises an anti-rotation seat 52 adapted to house the guide abutment portion 51 with clearance and is configured to avoid a rotation of the guide sliding portion 10 when screwing the guide screw 46, 47 .In one embodiment , the anti-rotation seat 52 is radially delimited by a circular radial wall 53 extending between a first anti-rotation end 54 and a second anti-rotation end 55. In one embodiment, the first anti-rotation end 54 and the second anti-rotation end 55 are circumferentially spaced apart, leaving a clear passage .

[0086] . In one embodiment, the guide abutment portion 51 is shaped so as to radially abut at least partially with the circular radial wall 53 . In one embodiment, the guide abutment portion 51 comprises a leg 56 extending through said clear passage . In one embodiment, the leg 56 is configured to tangentially abut against the first anti-rotation end 54 and / or the second anti-rotation end 55 when screwing or unscrewing the guide screw 46 , 47 with the guide sliding portion 10 .

[0087] . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a first sliding guide 4 and a second sliding guide 5 .

[0088] . In one embodiment, the at least one guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a first guide dust-protection element 41 and a second guide dust-protection element 42 . In one embodiment, the guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 is a dust-protection bellows and / or a dust-protection sleeve comprising at least one extendable portion or bellows portion 58 . In one embodiment , each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 is made in one piece . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 is made with a single elastomeric body . In one embodiment, each guide dustprotection element 41 , 42 is seamlessly made in a single piece, avoiding assembling multiple portions . In one embodiment , each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a respective tubular portion 57 configured to be fitted to the respective sliding guide 4 , 5. In one embodiment, the respective tubular portion 57 of each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a respective sealing and sliding portion 59 configured to make a sliding seal with the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 . In one embodiment, each respective sealing and sliding portion 59 is sealed by at least partially contacting the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 , leaving it free to slide . In one embodiment , the respective tubular portion 57 of each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a respective extendable portion or bellows portion 58 configured to elastically adapt to the sliding of the caliper body 2 with respect to the bracket 3 . In one embodiment, each respective sealing and slidingportion 59 is made in one piece, seamlessly, with the respective extendable portion 58 . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 extends seamlessly delimiting the respective sleeve cavity 43 , 44 . In one embodiment , each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 avoids comprising metal sleeves .

[0089] . In one embodiment, the first sliding guide 4 is at least partially sliding in the first-sleeve cavity 43 and in the first sliding seat 11 .

[0090] . In one embodiment, the second sliding guide 5 is at least partially sliding in the second-sleeve cavity 44 and in the second sliding seat 12 .

[0091] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 is configured to prevent liquids and dust from entering the respective sliding seat 11 , 12 and to prevent liquids and dust from coming into contact with the guide sliding portion 10 of the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 .

[0092] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises an extendable portion 58 , for example a bellows portion, configured to elastically adapt to the sliding of the caliper body 2 with respect to the bracket 3 .

[0093] . In one embodiment, each sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is a through cavity along the axial direction A-A, and each sliding seat 11 , 12 comprises a respective caliper body bottom wall 28 forming closed seats .

[0094] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a respective closing wall 45 so that each sleeve cavity43 , 44 is an axially open cavity on one side to accommodate the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 and is axially closed on the other side by the respective closing wall 45. In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises the respective tubular portion 57 and the respective closing wall 45 , in which the respective tubular portion 57 and the respective closing wall 45 are made in one piece , seamlessly, delimiting the respective sleeve cavity 43 , 44 .

[0095] . In one embodiment, the first guide dust-protection element41 has the axially through first-sleeve cavity 43 and the second guide dust-protection element 42 comprises a closing wall 45 so that the second-sleeve cavity 44 is open on one side and closed on the other side , in which the first sliding seat 11 comprises said caliper body bottom wall 28 , and the second sliding seat 12 is axially through, in which the second guide dust-protection element42 is housed in the second sliding seat 12 . In one embodiment, the second guide dust-protection element 42 comprises the respective tubular portion 57 and the closing wall 45 , made in one piece, seamlessly delimiting the second-sleeve cavity 44 .

[0096] . In one embodiment , the first sliding guide 4 and the second sliding guide 5 are equal and interchangeable in position with each other . In one embodiment , the first guide screw and the second guide screw are equal and interchangeable, for example they can be M8 screws . In one embodiment, the guide sliding portion of the first sliding guide 4 is equal and interchangeable with the guide sliding portion of the second sliding guide 5. In oneembodiment, the first sliding guide 4 and the second sliding guide 5 have the same geometry and dimensions .

[0097] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to provide a brake caliper which allows reducing both the possibility of human errors during service operations and the cost of the brake caliper itself .

[0098] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to avoid closing and / or sealing caps for the sliding seats of the sliding guides in the caliper body on the side opposite to the bracket , making a brake caliper with reduced components , and with reduced machining, since there are no seats and / or grooves to connect closing caps in the caliper body at or near the sliding seats of the sliding guides .

[0099] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to keep the sliding portions of the respective sliding guides inside the respective sliding seats in the caliper body, even during maintenance and / or pad changing operations , as it is sufficient to separate a guide screw from the respective sliding portion to release the caliper body from the bracket, without disconnecting the sliding portion from the caliper body . Thereby, the sliding seats remain protected and isolated from the external environment in each pad change operation .

[0100] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to provide a very stable brake caliper, and sliding in a lasting way over time, by virtue of a caliper body center of gravity balanced on the sliding guides , which allows reducing any residual torque .

[0101] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to ensure the ease of assembly of the sliding guides between the caliper body and the bracket even with extended machining tolerances , by virtue of the provision of radial clearance between the guide screw and the insertion seat thereof , reducing the machining and production costs of the brake caliper .LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS1 brake caliper2 caliper body or floating element3 bracket or support element4 first sliding guide or first guide pin5 second sliding guide or second guide pin6 first caliper body portion or vehicle-side caliper body portion7 housing seat for thrust means8 thrust means9 second caliper body portion or cantilevered caliper body portion10 guide sliding portion11 first sliding seat12 second sliding seat13 guide fixing portion14 screw head15 manipulation seat16 bracket connecting flange17 first bracket connecting portion18 second bracket connecting portion19 bracket through-hole20 first bracket hole opening21 second bracket hole opening22 first caliper body connecting portion23 second caliper body connecting portion24 first caliper body hole25 second caliper body hole26 first caliper body opening or caliper body counter-bracket-side opening27 second caliper body opening or caliper body bracket-side opening28 caliper body bottom wall30 central caliper body portion31 first tangential portion32 second tangential portion33 first U-shaped bracket portion34 second U-shaped bracket portion35 first insertion seat36 second insertion seat37 first brake pad38 second brake pad39 first pad seat40 second pad seat41 first guide dust-protection element42 second guide dust-protection element43 first sleeve cavity44 second sleeve cavity45 sleeve closing wall46 first guide screw47 second guide screw48 threaded guide seat49 threaded screw portion50 screw shank51 guide abutment portion52 anti-rotation seat53 circular radial wall54 first anti-rotation end55 second anti-rotation end56 leg57 tubular portion58 extendable portion or bellows portion59 sealing and sliding portionR radial clearanceDI shank diameterD2 maximum through-hole diameterD3 head diameter

Claims

CLAIMS1. A brake caliper (1) of the floating type for a disc brake comprising a caliper body or floating element (2) , a bracket or support element (3) configured to be connected to a vehicle, at least one sliding guide or guide pin (4, 5) , and at least one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) for each sliding guide (4, 5) , wherein said at least one sliding guide (4, 5) is arranged between said caliper body (2) and said bracket (3) to allow for a relative sliding between said caliper body (2) and the bracket (3) along an axial direction (A-A) , wherein the caliper body (2) comprises a first caliper body portion or vehicle-side caliper body portion (6) , wherein the first caliper body portion (6) delimits a housing seat (7) for thrust means (8) , wherein the caliper body (2) comprises a second caliper body portion or cantilevered caliper body portion (9) , wherein the second caliper body portion (9) projects from the first caliper body portion (6) at least in the axial direction (A-A) on an opposite side with respect to the vehicle so that the caliper body (2) is arranged straddling a brake disc, wherein each sliding guide (4, 5) comprises:- a guide sliding portion (10) , wherein the guide sliding portion (10) is slidingly housed in a respective sliding seat (11, 12) , wherein the respective sliding seat (11, 12) is made in said caliperbody (2) ; wherein the at least one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) is connected on axially opposite sides to the respective sliding guide (4, 5) and to the caliper body (2) , thus forming a sealing gasket, wherein the at least one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) delimits a respective sleeve cavity (43, 44) inside which the guide sliding portion (10) of the respective sliding guide (4, 5) is at least partially slidingly accommodated,- a guide fixing portion (13) either fixed or rigidly constrained to said bracket ( 3 ) ,- a screw head (14) , wherein the screw head (14) delimits at least one manipulation seat (15) so that the screw head (14) can be manipulated by a user and / or tool to fix the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) to the bracket (3) , characterized in that said screw head (14) is arranged on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion (6) so that the screw head (14) can be manipulated on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion (6) to either fix and / or remove the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) at least with respect to the bracket (3) , wherein the at least one sliding seat (11, 12) is axially open on the side of the bracket (3) and is axially closed on the opposite side, avoiding comprising closing caps to be reversibly connected to the caliper body to close the sliding seat (11, 12) , wherein the at least one sliding seat (11, 12) is axially closed on the side opposite to the bracket (3) by a bottom wall of the caliper body(28) forming a blind hole or by the respective guide dust-protection element (41, 42) comprising a closing wall (45) so that the respective sleeve cavity (43, 44) is axially open on the side of the bracket (3) and closed on the side opposite to the bracket (3) .

2. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bracket (3) comprises at least one bracket connecting portion (17, 18) , wherein the at least one bracket connecting portion (17, 18) delimits a respective bracket through-hole (19) along the axial direction (A-A) , wherein the bracket through-hole (19) extends between a first bracket opening (20) and a second bracket opening (21) , wherein the first bracket opening (20) faces the first caliper body portion (6) and wherein the second bracket opening (21) faces the opposite side, wherein each bracket through-hole (19) delimits a respective insertion seat (35, 36) for at least partially inserting the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and fixing the guide fixing portion (13) to the bracket (3) , wherein the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and / or the guide fixing portion (13) comprises a guide screw (46, 47) and a threaded guide seat (48) delimited by the guide sliding portion (10) , wherein the guide screw (46, 47) and the guide sliding portion (10) are made in separate pieces, wherein the guide screw (46, 47) comprises said screw head (13) and a screw shank (50) extending from said screw head (13) to a threaded screw portion (49) , wherein the screw shank (50) is housed in the bracket through-hole(19) , wherein the threaded screw portion (49) is coupled to the threaded guide seat (48) by tightening the at least one bracket connecting portion (17, 18) between the screw head (14) and the guide sliding portion (10) fixing the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and the guide fixing portion (13) to the bracket (3) , wherein the guide sliding portion (10) is slidingly inserted into the at least one sliding seat (11, 12) .

3. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bracket (3) comprises a connecting flange (16) configured to be rigidly connected to a suspension of the vehicle through connecting means, for example screws or bolts and nuts, wherein the connecting flange (16) comprises a first U-shaped bracket portion (33) , wherein the at least one bracket connecting portion (17, 18) comprises a first bracket connecting portion (17) and a second bracket connecting portion (18) which project along the axial direction (A- A) from the connecting flange (16) , in particular from the first U- shaped bracket portion (33) , wherein the bracket comprises a second U-shaped bracket portion (34) on one side axially opposite to the first U-shaped bracket portion (33) , wherein the second U-shaped bracket portion (34) forms a reinforcing element or flange which tangentially connects the first bracket connecting portion (17) and the second bracket connecting portion (18) , and wherein the first bracket connecting portion (17) and the second bracket connecting portion (18) form connectingbridges between the first U-shaped bracket portion (33) and the second U-shaped bracket portion (34) so as to arrange the bracket straddling the brake disc, wherein the at least one insertion seat (35, 36) comprises a first insertion seat (35) and a second insertion seat (36) , wherein the bracket through-hole (19) of the first bracket connecting portion (17) and the bracket through-hole (19) of the second bracket connecting portion (18) delimit the preferably cylindrical first insertion seat (35) and second insertion seat (36) , respectively.

4. A brake caliper (1) according to claims 2 or 3, wherein each screw shank (50) is housed in the respective bracket insertion seat (35, 36) with a radial clearance (R) so as to allow for a connection between the guide screw (46, 47) and the sliding portion (10) even if the bracket insertion seat (35, 36) and the threaded guide seat (48) and / or the sliding seat (11, 12) are not coaxial and / or aligned within said radial clearance (R) .

5. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the screw shank (50) has a shank diameter (DI) , the through-hole of the bracket insertion seat (35, 36) has a maximum through-hole diameter (D2) , wherein the maximum through-hole diameter (D2) is greater than said radial clearance (R) as compared to said shank diameter (DI) , wherein said radial clearance (R) is between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm; wherein the screw head (14) has a maximum head diameter (D3) ,wherein the maximum head diameter (D3) is greater than the maximum through-hole diameter (D2) .

6. A brake caliper (1) according to claim 2, wherein the guide sliding portion (10) comprises a guide abutment portion (51) , wherein the guide abutment portion (51) abuts against the bracket connecting portion (17, 18) , wherein the bracket connecting portion (17, 18) comprises an antirotation seat (52) adapted to house the guide abutment portion (51) with clearance and configured to avoid the guide sliding portion (10) from rotating when screwing the guide screw (46, 47) .

7. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the anti-rotation seat (52) is radially delimited by a circular radial wall (53) which extends between a first antirotation end (54) and a second anti-rotation end (55) , wherein the first anti-rotation end (54) and the second anti-rotation end (55) are circumferentially spaced apart from each other leaving a clear passage, wherein the guide abutment portion (51) is shaped so as to radially abut against the circular radial wall (53) and comprises a leg (56) extending through said clear passage, wherein the leg (56) is configured to abut against the first anti-rotation end (54) and / or the second anti-rotation end (55) when screwing or unscrewing the guide screw (46, 47) with the guide sliding portion (10) .

8. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) comprises a first sliding guide (4) and a second sliding guide (5) , wherein the atleast one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) comprises a first guide dust-protection element (41) and a second guide dustprotection element (42) , wherein the at least a first sliding guide (4) at least partially slides in the first-sleeve cavity (43) and the first sliding seat (11) , wherein the second sliding guide (5) at least partially slides in the second-sleeve cavity (44) and second sliding seat (12) .

9. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each sleeve cavity (43, 44) is a through cavity along the axial direction (A-A) , and each sliding seat (11, 12) comprises a respective caliper body bottom wall (28) forming closed seats.

10. A brake caliper (1) according to claim 8, wherein each guide dust-protection element (41, 42) comprises a respective closing wall (45) so that each sleeve cavity (43, 44) is an axially open cavity on one side to accommodate the respective sliding guide (4, 5) and is axially closed on the other side by the respective closing wall (45) .

11. A brake caliper (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first guide dust-protection element (41) has the first- sleeve cavity (43) axially passing through and the second guide dust-protection element (42) comprises a closing wall (45) so that the second sleeve cavity (44) is open on one side and closed on the other side, wherein the first sliding seat (11) comprises said caliper body bottom wall (28) , and the second sliding seat (12) is axially passing through, wherein the second guide dust-protection element (42) is housed in thesecond sliding seat (12) .

12. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims from 8 to 11, wherein the first sliding guide (4) and the second sliding guide (5) have same geometry and dimensions and / or the positions thereof are mutually interchangeable.

13. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) is made in one piece.

14. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each guide dust-protection element (41, 42) seamlessly delimits the respective sleeve cavity (43, 44) .

15. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each guide dust-protection element (41, 42) is made with a respective single elastomeric body, wherein each guide dustprotection element (41, 42) comprises a respective tubular portion (57) configured to be fitted to the respective sliding guide (4, 5) , wherein each respective tubular portion (57) comprises a respective extendable portion or bellows portion (58) configured to elastically adapt to the sliding of the caliper body (2) with respect to the bracket (3) , wherein each respective tubular portion (57) comprises a respective sealing and sliding portion (59) configured to create a sliding seal with the respective sliding guide (4, 5) , wherein each respective tubular portion (57) and each respective extendable portion or bellows portion (58) are made in one piece.

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