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, and at least one sliding guide or guide pin (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 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) from an opposite side to 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 bracket (3) or in said caliper body (2); a guide fixing portion (13) either fixed or rigidly constrained to said caliper body (2) or 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 a tool to fix the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) to the caliper body (2) or to the bracket (3), said screw head (14) is 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) with respect to the caliper body (2) or to the bracket (3).

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, 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, a radial direction (R- R) is defined in a disc brake, 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 in a sliding manner two associated brake pads, 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 action 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, opposite 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 a first solution, the sliding guide is fixed to the caliper body and is slidable in a seat of the bracket, and in a second solution, the sliding guide is fixed to the bracket and is slidable in a seat of the caliper body.

[0009] . In the 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 caliper body,as for example in JP2007010056A, or to the bracket, or further to the sliding portion by interposing a portion of the caliper body between the screw head and the sliding portion creating a constraint with the caliper body, as for example in KR20020014209 and KR20100055082 .

[0010] . In each of the sliding solutions of the sliding guide with respect to the caliper body or with respect to the support bracket, a connection and insertion of the sliding guide in the caliper body and / or in the bracket on the side of the vehicle is provided, 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 .

[0011] . With this insertion configuration, during brake caliper maintenance, such as during a pad change, a user or 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 .

[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 ofgravity 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 that 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 simplifying 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 the assembly or disassembly operations .

[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 make a brake caliper with reduced weight and reduced components .

[0023] . 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 .

[0024] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to obtain a brake caliper with a sliding between caliper body and bracket which is highly resistant to external stresses .

[0025] . By virtue of the proposed solutions , it is possible to simplify the maintenance operations of the brake caliper and to reduce, i f 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 .

[0026] . Figures

[0027] . 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 :

[0028] . - Figure 1 depicts , in a first axonometric view from the side opposite to the vehicle , a brake caliper of the floating type according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising at least one sliding guide , preferably a first sliding guide and a second sliding guide, in which each sliding guide comprises a screw head manipulatable by a user;

[0029] . - Figure 2 depicts , in a second axonometric view opposite to the first axonometric view of Figure 1 , i . e . , from the vehicle side , the brake caliper of Figure 1 ;

[0030] . - Figure 3 depicts the brake caliper of Figure 1 in a sectional view parallel to the axial direction and to 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 guide fixing portion fixed to the caliper body side on the vehicle side ;

[0031] . - Figure 4 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 thefloating caliper body and the guide fixing portion fixed to the caliper body side on the vehicle side ;

[0032] . - Figure 5 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a brake caliper guide assembly of Figure 1 , in which the guide assembly comprises the first sliding guide configured to slidingly connect the caliper body to the brake caliper bracket of Figure 1 , a first guide dust-protection element and a first sliding seat cap, in which the first sliding guide comprises a screw and a sliding portion;

[0033] . - Figure 6 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a brake caliper guide assembly of Figure 1 , in which the guide assembly comprises the second sliding guide configured to slidingly connect the caliper body to the brake caliper bracket of Figure 1 , a second guide dust-protection element and a second sliding seat cap, in which the second sliding guide comprises a screw and a sliding portion;

[0034] . - Figure 7 depicts , in an axonometric view from the side opposite to the vehicle , a floating-type brake caliper according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising at least one sliding guide or guide pin, preferably a first sliding guide and a second 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 ;

[0035] . - Figure 8 depicts the brake caliper of Figure 7 in a sectional view parallel to the axial direction and to the radial direction passing through the axis of the at least one sliding guide, preferably of the first sliding guide , in which we see thescrew head 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;

[0036] . - Figure 9 depicts the brake caliper of Figure 7 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 ;

[0037] . - Figure 10 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a guide assembly of the brake caliper of Figure 7 , 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 7 and a first guide dust-protection element, in which the first sliding guide comprises a guide screw and a sliding guide portion made as separate pieces and connectable to each other by threaded coupling;

[0038] . - Figure 11 depicts , in exploded axonometric view, a guide assembly of the brake caliper of Figure 7 , 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 7 and a second guide dust-protection element, in which the second sliding guide is the same as , and interchangeable with the first sliding guide ;

[0039] . - Figure 12 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 second guide pin from the caliper body;

[0040] . - Figure 13 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 ;

[0041] . - Figure 14 shows in axonometry the anti-rotation seat of the bracket, which has a portion delimited by a substantially circular 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;

[0042] . - Figure 15 shows a detail of Figure 7 and Figure 8 , 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 non-concentric bracket insertion seat and caliper body sliding seat within said radial clearance, thereby allowing the assembly of thepieces without forcing nor interference .

[0043] . Description of some preferred embodiments

[0044] . In accordance with a general embodiment , a brake caliper of the floating type for a disc brake is indicated by reference numeral 1 .

[0045] . The brake caliper comprises a caliper body or floating element 2 , a bracket or support element 3 configured to be connected to a vehicle , and at least one sliding guide or guide pin 4 , 5 .

[0046] . 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.

[0047] . 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 .

[0048] . 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 .

[0049] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a guide sliding portion10 , in which the guide sliding portion 10 is slidingly housed in a respective sliding seat 11 , 12 , in which the respective sliding seat11 , 12 is obtained in said bracket 3 or in said caliper body 2 . In one embodiment, each sliding seat 11 , 12 is obtained in said bracket 3 . In one embodiment , each sliding seat 11 , 12 is obtained in saidcaliper body 2 . In one embodiment , each sliding seat 11 , 12 is obtained in said first caliper body portion 6, avoiding direct connections between the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and the second caliper body portion 9 .

[0050] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a guide fixing portion 13 fixed or rigidly constrained to said caliper body 2 or to said bracket 3 . In one embodiment, the guide fixing portion 13 is fixed or rigidly constrained to said first caliper body portion 6 or to said bracket 3 , avoiding direct connections between the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and the second caliper body portion 9 .

[0051] . Each sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a 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 caliper body 2 or to the bracket 3 . In one embodiment, each screw head 14 avoids contacting or abutting the second caliper body portion 9 .

[0052] . Advantageously, said screw head 14 is arranged on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 . In one embodiment, said screw head 14 is arranged axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 without interfering with or contacting the second caliper body portion 9.

[0053] . Advantageously, the screw head 14 can thereby be manipulated on the side axially opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 to fix and / or remove the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 with respect to the caliper body 2 or bracket 3 .

[0054] . Thereby, the brake caliper 1 has the same weight of thescrew 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 offloaded 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 .

[0055] . 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 .

[0056] . In one embodiment, the bracket 3 comprises at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 . In one embodiment, the at least one bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 delimits a respective bracket through-hole 19 along the axial direction A-A. In one embodiment, the bracket through-hole 19 extends between a first bracket opening 20 and a second bracket opening 21 . In one embodiment , 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 , the bracket through-hole 19 is configured to insert at least partially the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 through the second opening 21 and through the first opening 20 to fix the guide fixing portion 13 to the caliper body 2 or bracket 3 , by manipulating the screw head 14 on the side of thesecond bracket opening 21 , opposite to the first caliper body portion 6 .

[0058] . In one embodiment, the bracket through-hole 19 delimits the respective sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0059] . In one embodiment, the 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 .

[0060] . 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 .

[0061] . In one embodiment, each bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 proj ects along the axial direction A-A from the connecting flange 16 .

[0062] . In one embodiment , the bracket 3 is shaped so as to be arranged straddling the brake disc .

[0063] . In one embodiment , the connecting flange 16 comprises a first U-shaped bracket portion 33 . In one embodiment , each bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 proj ects along the axial direction A-A from the first U-shaped bracket portion 3 .

[0064] . 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, thefirst 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 .

[0065] . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding seat 11 , 12 comprises a first sliding seat 11 and a second sliding seat 12 .

[0066] . 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 first sliding seat 11 and the second sliding seat 12 , respectively . In one embodiment, each sliding seat 11 and 12 is cylindrical . In one embodiment, the brake caliper 1 comprises fixed first sliding seat cap 58 and second sliding seat cap 59 respectively configured to f luid-sealingly close the respective second bracket openings 21 of the hole of the respective sliding seats facing away from the first caliper body portion 6. In one embodiment , the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5, preferably the second sliding guide 5 comprises a damping element 60 fitted on the body of the guide sliding portion . In one embodiment, the guide sliding portion 10 comprises a groove forming a seat for the damping element 60 .

[0067] . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 comprises a guide screw 46, 47 , and the guide sliding portion comprises a guide through seat . The guide screw 46 , 47 and the respective sliding portion are made as separate pieces . In one embodiment, the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and / or the guide fixing portion 13 comprises a threaded guide seat 48 , preferablydelimited by the guide sliding portion 10 . The guide screw 46, 47 comprises the threaded guide fixing portion 13 configured to couple with the caliper body by threaded coupling, i . e . , with the threaded hole of the caliper body . In one embodiment, the guide screw 46, 47 comprises said screw head 14 and a screw shank 50 extending from said screw head 14 to the guide fixing portion 13 . In one embodiment, the screw shank 50 is housed in the guide through seat of the sliding portion and the guide fixing portion is coupled to the caliper body, in which the sliding portion is tightened between the screw head 14 and the caliper body .

[0068] . In one embodiment, the brake caliper comprises an electric drive mechanism for the thrust means , in which the electric drive mechanism is housed in a containing body 57 . In one embodiment, a proj ection of the fixing seat of the caliper body and / or of the sliding seat of the bracket along the axial direction is incident or overlaps the containing body . For example , the containing body houses an electronic board . By virtue of the solution of including the screw head on the side opposite to the thrust means , it is possible to use additional elements to the brake caliper on the side of the first brake caliper portion without interfering with a user during brake caliper maintenance operations .

[0069] . 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 a first insertion seat 35 and a second insertion seat 36, respectively . In one embodiment, each insertion seat 36 is cylindrical .

[0070] . 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 .

[0071] . 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 .

[0072] . In one embodiment, the first caliper body portion 6 comprises at least one caliper body connecting portion 22 , 23 . In one embodiment , the at least one caliper body connecting portion 22 , 23 comprises a respective caliper body hole 24 .

[0073] . In one embodiment , each caliper body hole 24 and / or at least one of the caliper body holes 24 extends along a direction parallel to or coincident with the axial direction A-A between a caliper body bracket side opening 27 and a caliper body bottom wall 28 forming a through hole .

[0074] . In one embodiment , each caliper body hole 24 and / or at least one of the caliper body holes 24 extends along a direction parallel to or coincident with the axial direction A-A between a caliper body bracket-side opening 27 and a caliper body counterbracket-side opening 26 forming a through hole .

[0075] . In one embodiment, each caliper body hole 24 delimits the respective sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0076] . In one embodiment, each caliper body hole 24 delimits a respective caliper body fixing seat 29.

[0077] . In one embodiment, the guide fixing portion 13 is connected to the caliper body fixing seat 29. In one embodiment, the guide fixing portion 13 is connected to the caliper body fixing seat 29 , avoiding protruding beyond the caliper body hole 24 from the side axially opposite to the bracket 3 . In one embodiment, the guide fixing portion 13 is connected to the caliper body fixing seat 29, preventing the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 from protruding beyond the caliper body hole 24 from the side axially opposite to the bracket 3 .

[0078] . 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.

[0079] . In one embodiment , the central portion 30 delimits said housing seat 7 for said thrust means 8 .

[0080] . 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 .

[0081] . In one embodiment , the first tangential portion 31 , at a distal end thereof with respect to the central portion 30 , supports the 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 bodyconnecting portion 23 .

[0082] . In one embodiment , the first caliper body connecting portion 23 and the second caliper body connecting portion 23 each comprise said respective caliper body hole 24 .

[0083] . In one embodiment, the caliper body hole 24 of the first caliper body connecting portion 23 is a blind hole .

[0084] . In one embodiment, the caliper body hole 24 of the second caliper body connecting portion 23 is a through hole .

[0085] . In one embodiment, each caliper body hole 24 is a through hole . In one embodiment, each caliper body hole 24 is a blind hole .

[0086] . In one embodiment, the brake caliper 1 comprises at least one guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 for each sliding guide 4 , 5. 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 bellows portion .

[0087] . In one embodiment, 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 bracket 3 or caliper body 2 , forming a sealing gasket .

[0088] . In one embodiment, the at least one guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 delimits a respective sleeve cavity 43 , 44 in which the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 is at least partially slidingly accommodated .

[0089] . 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 fromcoming into contact with the guide sliding portion 10 of the respective sliding guide 4 , 5 .

[0090] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises an extendable portion, for example a bellows-like portion, configured to elastically accommodate the sliding of the caliper body 2 with respect to the bracket 3 .

[0091] . In one embodiment, each sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is a through cavity along the axial direction A-A.

[0092] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 , 42 comprises a respective closing wall 45 so that each sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is a cavity axially open 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.

[0093] . 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 .

[0094] . In one embodiment, each sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is a through cavity along the axial direction A-A.

[0095] . In one embodiment, each guide dust-protection element 41 ,42 comprises a respective closing wall 45 so that each sleeve cavity 43 , 44 is a cavity axially open 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.

[0096] . 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 .

[0097] . In one embodiment , the bracket through-hole 19 comprises said respective insertion seat 35 , 36 to at least partially insert the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and fix the guide fixing portion 13 to the bracket 3 .

[0098] . 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, made as separate and mutually couplable pieces . In one embodiment , the at least one sliding guide 4 , 5 and / or the guide fixing portion 13 comprises a threaded guide seat 48 , preferably delimited by the guide sliding portion 10 . In one embodiment, the guide screw 46, 47 and the guide sliding portion 10 are made as separate pieces .

[0099] . In one embodiment , the guide screw 46, 47 comprises said screw head 14 and a screw shank 50 extending from said screw head 14 to a threaded screw portion 49.

[0100] . 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 .

[0101] . In one embodiment , the guide sliding portion 10 isslidingly inserted into the at least one sliding seat 11 , 12 .

[0102] . In one embodiment, 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 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 .

[0103] . In one embodiment, the brake caliper 1 avoids comprising closing caps to be reversibly connected to the caliper body to close the sliding seat 11 , 12 . By virtue of this solution, it is possible to make a brake caliper with reduced weight and components , as well as at reduced costs , by virtue of the reduction of components and the reduced machining on the caliper body . Furthermore, it is possible to simplify the maintenance operations of the brake caliper and to reduce, even eliminate, the risk for the sliding portions of the sliding guides to come into contact with liquids or dust during the pad changing operations .

[0104] . 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 . By virtue of this solution, it is possible to ensure the assemblability of thesliding guides between the caliper body and the bracket even with extended machining tolerances , by virtue of the provision of the radial clearance between the guide screw and the insertion seat thereof , thus reducing the brake caliper machining and production costs .

[0105] . In one embodiment, the screw shank 50 has a shank diameter DI . In one embodiment, the through-hole of the bracket insertion seat 35 , 36 has a maximum through-hole diameter D2 .

[0106] . In one embodiment, the maximum through-hole diameter D2 is greater than said radial clearance R with respect to said shank diameter DI .

[0107] . In one embodiment, said radial clearance R is between 0 . 1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 0 . 1 mm and 2 mm .

[0108] . 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 .

[0109] . In one embodiment, the guide sliding portion 10 comprises a guide abutment portion or guide collar 51 .

[0110] . In one embodiment, the guide abutment portion 51 abuts against the bracket connecting portion 17 , 18 .

[0111] . 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 so as to avoid a rotation of the guide sliding portion 10 when screwing the guide screw 46, 47 .

[0112] . In one embodiment , the anti-rotation seat 52 is radially delimited by a circular radial wall 53 extending between a firstanti-rotation end 54 and a second anti-rotation end 55 , in which the first anti-rotation end 54 and the second anti-rotation end 55 are circumferentially spaced apart, thus leaving a free passage .

[0113] . In one embodiment, 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 free passage , in which 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 .LIST OF REFERENCES1 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 first bracket through-hole19 ' second 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 wallfixing seat central caliper body portion first tangential portion second tangential portion first U-shaped bracket portion second U-shaped bracket portion first insertion seat second insertion seat first brake pad second brake pad first pad seat second pad seat first guide dust-protection element second guide dust-protection element first sleeve cavity second sleeve cavity sleeve closing wall first guide screw second guide screw threaded guide seat threaded screw portion screw shank guide abutment portion anti-rotation seat circular radial wall first anti-rotation end second anti-rotation end leg containing body first sliding seat cap second sliding seat cap damping elementR 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, and at least one sliding guide or guide pin (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 obtained in said bracket (3) or in said caliper body (2) ;- a guide fixing portion (13) either fixed or rigidly constrained tosaid caliper body (2) or 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 a tool to fix the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) to the caliper body (2) or 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) with respect to the caliper body (2) or 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 the bracket through-hole (19) is configured to insert at least partially the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) through the second opening (21) and through the first opening (20) to fix the guide fixing portion (13) to the caliper body (2) or to the bracket (3) by manipulating the screw head (14) on the side of the secondbracket opening (21) , opposite to the first caliper body portion (6) , wherein the bracket through-hole (19) delimits a respective sliding seat (11, 12) , and wherein the sliding guide (4, 5) is fixed to the caliper body (2) or wherein the bracket through-hole (19) delimits a respective insertion seat (35, 36) to at least partially insert the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and fix the guide fixing portion (13) to the bracket (3) and wherein the sliding guide (4, 5) slides in the caliper body (2) .

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 vehicle suspension 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 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, wherein the at least one sliding seat (11, 12) comprises a first sliding seat (11) and a second sliding seat (12) , 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 (11) and second insertion seat (12) , respectively, or delimit a preferably cylindrical first insertion seat (35) and a preferably cylindrical second insertion seat (36) , respectively.

4. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (3) defines a first pad seat (39) and a second pad seat (40) respectively configured to support the first brake pad (37) and the second brake pad (38) .

5. A brake caliper (1) according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the first bracket connecting portion (17) and the second bracket connecting portion (18) comprise respective support portions which delimit support surfaces for the brake pads, wherein each pad seat (39, 40) is delimited at least partially by said support surfaces for the brake pads .

6. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first caliper body portion (6) comprises at least one caliper body connecting portion (22, 23) ,wherein the at least one caliper body connecting portion (22, 23) comprises a respective caliper body hole (24) , which extends along a direction parallel to, or coincident with the axial direction (A-A) between a caliper body bracket-side opening (27) and a caliper body bottom wall (28) forming a blind hole, or between a caliper body bracket-side opening (27) and a caliper body counter-bracket-side opening (26) forming a through-hole, wherein the caliper body hole (24) delimits the respective sliding seat (11, 12) or a respective caliper body fixing seat (29) , wherein the guide fixing portion (13) is connected to the caliper body fixing seat (29) avoiding protruding beyond the caliper body hole (24) on the axially opposite side of the bracket (3) .

7. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide fixing portion (13) is connected to the caliper body fixing seat (29) preventing the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) from protruding beyond the caliper body hole (24) on the axially opposite side of the bracket (3) .

8. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 7, wherein the first caliper body portion (6) comprises a central portion (30) , a first tangential portion (31) , and a second tangential portion (32) , which 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) , wherein the central portion (30) delimits said housing seat (7) for said thrust means (8) ,wherein 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) , wherein the first tangential portion (31) , at a distal end thereof with respect to the central portion (30) , supports the first caliper body connecting portion (22) , wherein 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) , wherein the first caliper body connecting portion (23) and the second caliper body connecting portion (23) each comprising said respective caliper body hole (24) , wherein the caliper body hole (24) of the first caliper body connecting portion (23) is a blind hole and wherein the caliper body hole (24) of the second caliper body connecting portion (23) is a through-hole or wherein each caliper body hole (24) is a through- hole or wherein each caliper body hole (24) is a blind hole.

9. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide sliding portion (10) is slidingly housed in a respective sliding seat (11, 12) , wherein the respective sliding seat (11, 12) is obtained in said bracket (3) or in said first caliper body portion (6) , avoiding direct connections between the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and the second caliper body portion (9) ; wherein the guide fixing portion (13) is fixed or rigidly constrained to said first caliper body portion (6) or to saidbracket (3) , avoiding direct connections between the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and the second caliper body portion (9) .

10. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brake caliper (1) comprises at least one guide dustprotection element (41, 42) for each sliding guide (4, 5) , 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 bracket (3) or caliper body (2) , forming a sealing gasket, wherein the at least one guide dust-protection element (41, 42) delimits a respective sleeve cavity (43, 44) in which the respective sliding guide (4, 5) is at least partially slidingly accommodated, wherein each guide dust-protection element (41, 42) is configured to prevent liquids and dust from entering the respective sliding seat (11, 12) and prevent liquids and dust from coming into contact with the guide sliding portion (10) of the respective sliding guide (4, 5) , preferably, wherein each guide dust-protection element (41, 42) comprises an extendable portion, for example a bellows-like portion, configured to elastically accommodate the sliding of the caliper body (2) with respect to the bracket (3) .

11. 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) , orwherein 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) , or wherein the first guide dust-protection element (41) has the axially-through first sleeve cavity (43) and the second guide dustprotection 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.

12. A brake caliper (1) according to claim 2, wherein each bracket through-hole (19) comprises said respective insertion seat (35, 36) to at least partially insert the at least one sliding guide (4, 5) and fix 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 as separate pieces, wherein the guide screw (46, 47) comprises said screw head (14) and a screw shank (50) that extends from said screw head (14) 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 thethreaded 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) .

13. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, 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 sliding seat (11, 12) are not coaxial and / or aligned within said radial clearance (R) .

14. 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) .

15. A brake caliper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, wherein the guide sliding portion (10) comprises a guideabutment 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, so as to prevent the guide sliding portion (10) from rotating when screwing the guide screw (46, 47) .

16. A brake caliper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the anti-rotation seat (52) is radially delimited by a circular radial wall (53) that extends between a first anti-rotation 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 free 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 free 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) .

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