Thrust device, brake caliper

Abstract

A thrust device (1) for a brake caliper (100), wherein the brake caliper (100) comprises a caliper body (101), wherein the caliper body (101) delimits a thrust device seat (102), wherein the thrust device (1) is at least partially housable in the thrust device seat (102), wherein the thrust device (1) comprises a screw-nut assembly (2), preferably with recirculating balls, wherein the screw-nut assembly (2) comprises a nut (4) and an endless screw (3), wherein the screw-nut assembly (2) is configured to reversibly transform a rotation of the nut (4) about a thrust axis (A) into a translation of the screw (3) along the thrust axis (A), wherein the thrust axis (A) is either parallel to or coincident with an axial direction (A-A), wherein the nut (4) is configured to receive a torque from a motor or gearmotor, and wherein the screw (3) is configured to bias a brake pad (108) with a thrust force (FA) directed along the axial direction (A-A) in a thrust orientation, a thrust bearing (5), wherein the thrust bearing (5) is configured to rotationally support the nut (4) forming a reaction support on which a reaction force (FR) directed along the axial direction (A-A) in a reaction orientation is discharged, wherein the reaction force (FR) is opposite to said thrust force (FA), and an anti-rotation device (8) configured to be housed in the thrust device seat (102) avoiding a rotation of the anti-rotation device (8) in the thrust device seat (102), wherein the anti-rotation device (8) is configured to guide the screw (3) translationally along the axial direction (A-A) avoiding a rotation of the screw (3) about said axial direction (A-A), the anti-rotation device (8) is arranged downstream of said thrust bearing (5) forming a support for said thrust bearing (5) on one side axially opposite to the nut (4) so as to receive said axial reaction force (FR) from the nut (4) to transfer it to a detection device or force sensor (14) configured to detect said axial thrust force (FA).

Description

"Thrust device , brake caliper"DESCRIPTION

[0001] . Field of the inventionThe present invention relates to a thrust device for a brake caliper, as well as to a brake caliper comprising said thrust device .

[0002] . Background art

[0003] . On vehicles , in particular in disc brakes , the brake caliper is arranged straddling the outer peripheral margin of a brake disc . The brake caliper usually comprises a caliper body having two elongated elements , referred to as side portions , which are arranged to face opposite braking surfaces of a disc . Friction pads are provided between each side portion of the caliper and the braking surfaces of the brake disc . At least one of the side portions of the caliper body has seats or cylinders adapted to accommodate thrust devices , actuated in any suitable known manner ( e . g . , hydraulic or electro-mechanical pistons ) , capable of applying a thrust action to the pads , abutting them against the braking surfaces of the disc to apply a braking action to the vehicle .

[0004] . The caliper body is usually constrained either directly or indirectly to a support structure which remains fixed to the vehicle , e . g . , either directly to a stub axle of a vehicle suspension or indirectly by means of a support bracket with respect to which the caliper body is connected in a sliding manner along the axial direction .

[0005] . In a typical arrangement , one of the two side portions or the support bracket has two or more attachment portions of the caliper body to the support structure, for example providing slots or eyelets , e . g . , arranged axially, or through holes , e . g . , arranged radially, adapted to receive screws for fixing the caliper, which are accommodated with the ends thereof in threaded holes provided on the caliper support . The side portion which attaches to the vehicle is referred to as the attachment side portion or vehicle-side elongated element . The other portion is referred to as the nonattachment side portion or elongated wheel-side element .

[0006] . In a typical construction of a caliper body, the side portions facing the braking surfaces of the disc are connected to each other by bridge-like elements arranged straddling the disc and referred to as bridges .

[0007] . Opposite pads in the disc brake calipers are pressed, by virtue of the action of at least one piston, against opposite braking surfaces of a braking band of the associable brake disc .

[0008] . This thrust device can be a piston and is usually accommodated in a seat or cylinder obtained in the caliper body .

[0009] . According to some solutions , the thrust element is energized by a brake fluid pressuri zed by a brake master cylinder, usually pedal-operated in motor vehicles and lever-operated on motorcycles .

[0010] . Brake calipers are also known in which the thrust device is energized electro-mechanically, e . g . , comprising an endless screw and a nut accommodated in the seat or cylinder, where the screw isrotated by an electric motor, or more commonly by a gearmotor, causing the nut to advance or retract by biasing a thrust element or thrust head or piston in advancement or retraction .

[0011] . A solution of this type is known from document W02020230000 to the same Applicant . This document discloses a thrust device for a brake caliper comprising a screw-nut assembly with recirculating balls comprising a rotating endless screw and a translating nut . This solution requires the arrangement of a connection to the screw along the axial direction generating a large dimension in the axial direction .

[0012] . Instead, document WO2023166449 to the same Applicant shows a brake caliper provided with a thrust device comprising a screw-nut assembly with recirculating balls , where the nut is rotationally supported by a thrust bearing and the endless screw is translating and configured to axially bias a brake pad . In this solution, the actuation and torque transmission input from the motor or gearmotor is very close to the outlet of the piston or thrust head from the seat or cylinder, by virtue of the provision of an actuation toothing on the outer surface of the nut . It was thus possible to reduce the axial dimensions of the brake caliper . In this solution, the endless screw is provided with an anti-rotation pin which proj ects radially from the screw body, where the anti-rotation pin is inserted along a slot of a guide bushing coaxial to the endless screw . Such a guide bushing is fixed by interference to the seat or cylinder in which the screw-nut assembly is housed . In this solution, the reaction force of the nut is discharged onto thethrust bearing and, in turn, is discharged, either directly or indirectly, onto a force sensor . For example , the force sensor can be annular in shape and arranged between the thrust bearing and a bottom wall of the seat or cylinder which houses the thrust device . For example , the force sensor can be arranged along the axis of the endless screw between a spacer and the bottom wall , where the spacer is cup-shaped and interposed between the thrust bearing and the force sensor .

[0013] . Although this solution is satis factory with respect to the transmission of torque from the motor to the rotating member and with respect to the reduction of the axial dimensions compared with rotating screw solutions , this solution has however high production costs and high assembly costs .

[0014] . Therefore , a need is felt in the industry to manufacture thrust devices for brake calipers provided with trans formation mechanisms that are safe and reliable over time, with lower costs than known .

[0015] . A need is felt in the industry to manufacture thrust devices for brake calipers which allow simplified assembly, reduced components , as well as a reduced weight and dimensions , the performance of the thrust device for a brake caliper being the same .

[0016] . Therefore , a need is strongly felt in the industry for solutions of thrust devices for brake calipers which are axially compact , lighter and have a lower number of components , the performance being at least the same , and which simultaneously allow simplified assembly than known .

[0017] . Solut ion

[0018] . These and other obj ects are achieved by a thrust device and a brake caliper according to the independent claims .

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

[0020] . This solution allows signi ficantly reducing the components of the thrust device by virtue of the integration of its components .

[0021] . By virtue of the suggested solutions , with a single component of the thrust device, it i s possible to guide the screw translationally while avoiding rotations of the screw about its thrust axis , and at the same time it is possible to make an axial constraint which supports the nut .

[0022] . According to an aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain a guided translation of the screw avoiding rotations with a coupling with reduced angular clearances allowing for faster screw advancement rates .

[0023] .

[0024] . By virtue of the suggested solutions , it is also possible to greatly simplify the assembly steps of the thrust device and the caliper .

[0025] . Figures

[0026] . Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided below of preferred exemplary embodiment thereof , given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0027] . - figure 1 depicts an axonometric view of a brake caliperaccording to the present invention;

[0028] . - figure 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of a thrust device according to the present invention and usable in the brake caliper in figure 1 ;

[0029] . figure 3 depicts an axonometric view of the partially sectioned brake caliper in figure 1 taken along a plane parallel to the axial direction and the radial direction, in which a partially sectioned thrust device according to a first embodiment according to the present invention can be seen;

[0030] . - figure 4 shows a side view of the partially sectioned brake caliper and thrust device in figure 3 ;

[0031] . - figure 5 depicts an axonometric view of the partially sectioned brake caliper in figure 1 taken along a plane parallel to the axial direction and the radial direction, in which a partially sectioned thrust device according to a second embodiment according to the present invention can be seen;

[0032] . - figure 6 shows a side view of the partially sectioned brake caliper and thrust device in figure 5 ;

[0033] . - figure 7 diagrammatically shows the arrangement of the anti-rotation device of the thrust device in figure 5 ;

[0034] . - figure 8 diagrammatically shows the arrangement of the anti-rotation device of the thrust device in figure 5 ;

[0035] . - figure 9 and figure 10 show a front view of a brake caliper comprising the thrust device in which two connection pins arranged at a 180-degree angle and a 90-degree angle, respectively, can be seen;

[0036] . - figure 11 shows a section view of a detail of the thrust device according to the present invention housed in the caliper body, in which an anti-rotation device is constrained to the caliper body by means of two anti-rotation pins housed with clearance in respective pin seats , which prevent the anti-rotation device from rotating with respect to the caliper body .

[0037] . Description of some preferred embodiments

[0038] . According to a general embodiment, a thrust device for a brake caliper 100 is indicated by reference numeral 1 . The brake caliper 100 comprises a caliper body 101 , where the caliper body delimits a thrust device seat 102 .

[0039] . The thrust device 1 is at least partially housable in the thrust device seat 102 .

[0040] . The thrust device 1 comprises a screw-nut assembly 2 , preferably with recirculating balls , a thrust bearing 5 , and an anti-rotation device 8 .

[0041] . The screw-nut assembly 2 comprises a nut 4 and an endless screw 3 .

[0042] . The screw-nut assembly 2 is configured to reversibly transform a rotation of the nut 4 about a thrust axis A into a translation of the screw 3 along the thrust axis A. The thrust axis A is either parallel to or coincident with an axial direction A-A. The nut 4 is configured to receive a torque from a motor or gearmotor, and the screw 3 is configured to bias a brake pad 108 with a thrust force FA directed along the axial direction A-A in a thrust orientation .

[0043] . The thrust bearing 5 is configured to rotationally support the nut 4 .

[0044] . The thrust bearing 5 is a reaction constraint for the nut 4 , which opposes an axial movement of the nut 4 , where the nut 4 discharges a reaction force FR equal and opposite to the thrust force FA onto the thrust bearing . The reaction force FR is directed along the axial direction A-A in a reaction orientation, opposite to the thrust orientation .

[0045] . The anti-rotation device 8 configured to be housed in the thrust device seat 102 avoiding a rotation of the anti-rotation device 8 in the thrust device seat 102 .

[0046] . The anti-rotation device is configured to guide the screw 3 translationally along the axial direction A-A avoiding a rotation of the screw 3 about the axial direction A-A.

[0047] . Advantageously, the anti-rotation device 8 is arranged downstream of said thrust bearing 5 forming a support for said thrust bearing 5 on a side axially opposite to the nut 4 so as to transfer said reaction force FR from the nut 4 to a detection device or force sensor 14 configured to detect said thrust force FA.

[0048] . By virtue of the thrust device 1 , it is possible to obtain an axial constraint for the screw-nut assembly 1 and prevent a rotation of the screw 3 about the thrust axis A, with fewer components than known .

[0049] . By virtue of the anti-rotation device 8 , it is possible to achieve , with a single component, an anti-rotational translational guide function for the screw 3 while simultaneously forming an axialconstraint for the nut 4 .

[0050] . According to an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises said detection device 14 . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device8 is interposed along the axial direction A-A between the detection device 14 and the thrust bearing 5, so that the detection device 14 forms an axial support for the anti-rotation device 8 avoiding the anti-rotation device 8 from axially abutting against a seat bottom wall 103 of the thrust device seat 102 . According to an embodiment, the detection device 14 is a button-like force sensor . In an embodiment, the detection device 14 avoids comprising a ring-shaped body .

[0051] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 , the detection device 14 , and the screw-nut assembly 2 are coaxial .

[0052] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 , the detection device 14 , and the screw 3 are coaxial and aligned along the thrust axis A.

[0053] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 comprises a thrust bearing portion 9 and a guide portion 10 , where the guide portion 10 proj ects from the thrust bearing plate 9 along the axial direction A-A. In an embodiment, the thrust bearing portion 9 is a plate, e . g . , discoidal . In an embodiment, the thrust bearing portion9 and the guide portion 10 are made in one piece .

[0054] . In an embodiment , the thrust bearing portion 9 is configured to support, or form a support either directly or indirectly for, the thrust bearing 5.

[0055] . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises a spacer7 , e . g . , in the form of a hollow cylinder or a ring, which is interposed between the thrust bearing portion 9 and the thrust bearing 5 .

[0056] . In an embodiment, the screw 3 comprises a guide counterportion 11 . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 is coupled with the guide counter-portion 11 in a sliding manner along the axial direction A-A preventing the screw 3 from rotating with respect to the anti-rotation device 9 during the translation of the screw 3 .

[0057] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 is a guide shaft . In an embodiment, the guide shaft proj ects from the guide thrust bearing portion from a central part thereof . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 has a T-shaped section on a plane passing through the guide portion 10 and the guide thrust bearing portion and through the thrust axis A. In an embodiment , the anti-rotation device 8 comprises a connection root 25 , which connects the guide portion 10 to the thrust bearing portion 9 . In an embodiment, the connection root 25 is tapered by widening radially from the guide portion 10 to the thrust bearing portion 9 .

[0058] . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 delimits a guide cavity in which the guide shaft is accommodated in a sliding manner along the axial direction A-A and with clearance along a radial direction R-R perpendicular to the axial direction A-A. In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 is made in one piece with the screw 3 . In an embodiment , the screw 3 comprises a screw body which is externally threaded with an endless thread and the guide counter-portion 11 is an inner surface of the screw body, facing thethrust axis A and radially opposite to the thread, where said inner surface delimits said guide cavity .

[0059] . In an embodiment, the screw 3 extends between a screw head 23 and a screw tail 24 along the axial direction A-A. In an embodiment, the screw head 23 is axially on the side of the brake pad on which the thrust device acts with the thrust force FA. In an embodiment, the screw tail 24 is axially on the side of antirotation device 8 . In an embodiment , the screw head faces the brake pad 108 . In an embodiment, the screw tail 24 faces the thrust bearing portion 9 of the anti-rotation device 8 and / or the connection root 25 . In an embodiment, the thrust bearing portion 9 and / or the connection root 25 forms a limit stop of the screw 3 along the axial direction A-A on the side opposite to the brake pad 108 .

[0060] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 and the guide counter-portion 11 are mutually shaped so as to allow the translation of the guide portion 10 with respect to the guide counter-portion 11 and prevent a rotation between the guide portion 10 and the guide counter-portion 11 .

[0061] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 and the guide counter-portion 11 have and / or delimit an axial section, on a plane perpendicular to the thrust axis A, with a polygonal or non- polygonal geometric shape , avoiding circular sections .

[0062] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 has a polygonal axial section, e . g . , square or octagonal .

[0063] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 has an octagonalaxial section, comprising four first sides 26 and four second sides 27 , where each first side 26 has a first length LI , where each second side 27 has a second length L2 , where the first length LI is greater than the second length L2 .

[0064] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 comprises a central body 28 which extends along the axial direction A-A, e . g . , substantially cylindrical , and at least one guide tooth 29 which extends over the entire length of the central body 28 and proj ects from the central body 28 along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A-A.

[0065] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 has a grooved profile 31 .

[0066] . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 comprises a guide counter-surface which delimits at least one guide recess 30 configured to accommodate the at least one guide tooth 29 with clearance . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 comprises a guide counter-surface which delimits at least one guide recess 30 configured to accommodate the at least one guide tooth 29 with radial and circumferential clearance .

[0067] . In an embodiment , the guide counter-portion 11 has a grooved counter-profile 32 .

[0068] . In an embodiment , the central portion 10 comprises a plurality of said at least one guide tooth 29. In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 comprises six of said at least one guide tooth 29. In an embodiment, each guide tooth 29 is uni formly distributed about the axial direction A-A, and / or about the thrust axis A, proj ectingin relief from said central body 28 . In an embodiment, a guide depression is delimited between each guide tooth 29.

[0069] . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 comprises a plurality of said at least one guide recess 30 . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 comprises six of said at least one guide recess 30 . In an embodiment, each guide recess 30 is uniformly distributed on said guide counter-surface about the thrust axis A facing the thrust axis A. In an embodiment, a guide relief , configured to fit into a respective guide depression, is delimited between each guide recess 30 .

[0070] . By virtue of the provision of the guide portion 10 and the guide counter-portion 11 having respective grooved profiles with multiple guide teeth and multiple guide recesses adapted to accommodate them by guiding the translational sliding without rotations of the screw, as shown in figures 5 and 6, it is poss ible to achieve less angular clearance between guide teeth and guide recesses and / or between the guide portion 10 and the guide counterportion 11 compared to solutions in which a polygonal axial section is provided, e . g . , octagonal shown in figures 3 and 4 . It is thus possible to obtain shorter braking application times , because the motor and / or gearmotor which actuates the nut must make a lower number of revolutions to recover the angular clearances between the guide portion 10 and the counter-guide portion 11 , causing the screw to translate axially in the thrust orientation . By virtue of the smallest possible angular clearance between the guide portion 10 and the counter-guide portion 11 , it is possible to achieve a fastertranslational advancement of the screw 3 .

[0071] . In an embodiment, said at least one guide recess 30 and said at least one guide tooth 29 are equal in number .

[0072] . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 and / or the grooved profile 31 has a maximum grooved profile diameter DI and a minimum grooved profile diameter D2 , measured passing through the thrust axis A.

[0073] . In an embodiment, the guide counter-portion 11 and / or the grooved counter-profile 32 has a maximum grooved counter-profile diameter D3 and a minimum grooved counter-profile diameter D4 , measured passing through the thrust axis A.

[0074] . In an embodiment, the percentage ratio of the minimum grooved profile diameter D2 to the maximum grooved profile diameter DI is less than or equal to 30% .

[0075] . In an embodiment, the percentage ratio of the minimum grooved profile diameter D2 to the minimum grooved counter-profile diameter D4 is less than or equal to 30% .

[0076] . In an embodiment, the percentage ratio of the maximum grooved profile diameter DI to the minimum grooved counter-profile diameter D4 is less than or equal to 30% .

[0077] . In an embodiment, the grooved profile 31 is involuted ( involute spline ) . In an embodiment , the grooved counter-profile 32 is involuted . In an embodiment , the grooved profile 31 and the grooved counter-profile 32 are shaped so as to form a pressure angle B of between 20 degrees and 45 degrees , preferably of 30 degrees , between the grooved profile 31 and the grooved counter-profile 32 .

[0078] . In an embodiment , the grooved profile 31 is straight ( straight-sided spline ) . In an embodiment, the grooved counterprofile 32 is straight .

[0079] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 comprises at least one anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 configured to be connected with clearance in a respective anti-rotation pin seat 106, 107 made in said thrust device seat 102 , so as to prevent any rotation within said clearance of said anti-rotation device 8 about the axial direction A-A.

[0080] . In an embodiment, said at least one anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 comprises a first anti-rotation pin 12 and a second anti-rotation pin 13 , arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a pin angle less than or equal to 180 degrees , preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees . In an embodiment , said at least one antirotation pin seat 12 , 13 comprises a first anti-rotation pin seat 106 and a second anti-rotation pin seat 107 arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a seat angle less than or equal to 180 degrees , preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees .

[0081] . In an embodiment, each an anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 proj ects from a thrust bearing portion 9 of the anti-rotation device 8 along a direction parallel to the axial direction A-A. In an embodiment, each an anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 is connected by interference and / or shape coupling to a respective interference hole 33 , 34 , preferably a first interference hole 33 and a second interference hole 34 , obtained in the thrust bearing portion 9 .

[0082] . In an embodiment, the screw 3 has a greater axial lengththan the nut 4 . In an embodiment , the screw has an axial length at least double the axial length of the nut 4 . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 of the anti-rotation device 8 has an axial length less than the axial length of the screw 3 . In an embodiment, the guide portion 10 of the anti-rotation device 8 has an axial length greater than the axial length of the nut 4 .

[0083] . In an embodiment, the nut 4 comprises an external nut toothing 19 adapted to receive a torque from the motor and / or gearmotor .

[0084] . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises a radial bearing 6 arranged radially between the seat side wall 104 and the nut 4 .

[0085] . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises a nut locking ring 22 configured to pack the nut inside the thrust device seat 102 avoiding axial movements of the nut in the axial direction towards the brake pad 108 .

[0086] . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises a thrust head or thrust plate 17 coupled with the screw 3 , on the side of the screw head 23 , and configured to contact the brake pad 108 . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises a connection element or j oint 16 constrained to the screw 3 on the side of the screw head 23 and configured to connect the thrust head 17 to the screw 3 . In an embodiment, the thrust device 1 comprises an annular thrust head bellows dust seal 20 , configured to connect the caliper body to the thrust head 15 by closing the thrust device seat 102 on the side of the brake pad 108 .

[0087] . In an embodiment, the screw 3 , the anti-rotation device, and the anti-rotation pins are made of steel .

[0088] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation pins are made by cold forging . In an embodiment , the anti-rotation device 8 is made by cold forging .

[0089] . In an embodiment, the grooved counter-profile 32 is made by broaching .

[0090] . The present invention also relates to a brake caliper 100 for a disc brake .

[0091] . The brake caliper 100 comprises a caliper body 101 and a thrust device 1 according to any one of the previously described embodiments . In an embodiment, the brake caliper 100 is of the floating type . In an embodiment, the brake caliper 100 is of the electromechanical type .

[0092] . The caliper body 101 delimits a thrust device seat 102 , where the caliper body 101 comprises a seat side wall 104 and a seat bottom wall 103 which delimit the thrust device seat 102 in the axial direction A-A and in the radial direction R-R perpendicular to the axial direction A-A, respectively .

[0093] . The thrust device 1 is at least partially housed in the thrust device seat 102 .

[0094] . The thrust device 1 is constrained to the caliper body 101 avoiding a rotation of the anti-rotation device 8 in the thrust device seat 102 , where the anti-rotation device 8 is interposed between said seat bottom wall 103 and said thrust bearing 5 .

[0095] . In an embodiment, the brake caliper 100 and / or the thrustdevice 1 comprises a detection device or force sensor 14 configured to detect said axial thrust force FA.

[0096] . In an embodiment, the seat bottom wall 103 comprises a radially outer surface 109 and a support shoulder 105, where the support shoulder 105 is recessed with respect to the radially outer surface 109.

[0097] . In an embodiment , the support shoulder 105 axially supports the detection device 14 and is interposed between the seat bottom wall 103 and the anti-rotation device 8 forming an axial support for said anti-rotation device 8 so as to receive said axial reaction force FR from the nut 4 , preferably where the anti-rotation device 8 is housed with clearance in the thrust device seat 102 remaining axially facing the seat bottom wall 103 and radially facing the seat side wall 104 avoiding contacting them .

[0098] . In an embodiment, the anti-rotation device 8 comprises at least one anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 . In an embodiment, the seat bottom wall 103 delimits at least one anti-rotation pin seat 106, 107 , e . g . , an anti-rotation pin hole , where each anti-rotation pin 12 , 13 is housed with clearance in a respective anti-rotation pin seat of the at least one anti-rotation pin seat 12 , 13 , so as to prevent any rotation, within said clearance, of said anti-rotation device 8 about the axial direction A-A.

[0099] . In an embodiment, each anti-rotation pin seat 12 , 13 is recessed with respect to said radially outer surface 109 of the seat bottom wall 103 . In an embodiment , said at least one anti-rotation pin seat 12 , 13 comprises a first anti-rotation pin seat 106 and asecond anti-rotation pin seat 107 arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a seat angle less than or equal to 180 degrees , preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees .

[0100] . By virtue of the suggested solutions , it is possible to manufacture a thrust device, the performance being equal , having a shorter screw length than known .

[0101] . By virtue of the suggested solutions , a thrust device can be manufactured by reducing the number of components and the number of machining operations , and therefore with a reduced cost , than known .LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNSThrust device screw-nut assembly, e . g . , with recirculating balls endless screw rotating nut thrust bearing radial bearing spacer anti-rotation device thrust bearing portion guide portion or guide shaft guide counter-portion or guide cylinder first anti-rotation pin second anti-rotation pin axial bias detection device or force sensor thrust head or thrust plate connection element or j oint outer nut toothing thrust head bellows dust seal nut locking ring screw head screw tail connection root first side second side28 central body29 guide tooth30 guide recess31 grooved profile32 grooved counter-profile33 first interference hole34 second interference holeLI first side lengthL2 second side lengthDI maximum grooved profile diameterD2 minimum grooved profile diameterD3 maximum grooved counter-profile diameterD4 minimum grooved counter-profile diameterA thrust axisB pressure angleA-A actuation axis or thrust axis100 brake caliper101 caliper body102 thrust device seat or cylinder103 seat bottom wall104 seat side wall105 support shoulder106 first anti-rotation pin seat107 second anti-rotation thrust seat108 brake pad109 radially outer surface

Claims

CLAIMS1. A thrust device (1) for a brake caliper (100) , wherein the brake caliper (100) comprises a caliper body (101) , wherein the caliper body delimits a thrust device seat (102) , wherein the thrust device (1) is at least partially housable in the thrust device seat (102) , wherein the thrust device (1) comprises:- a screw-nut assembly (2) , preferably with recirculating balls, wherein the screw-nut assembly (2) comprises a nut (4) and an endless screw (3) , wherein the screw-nut assembly (2) is configured to reversibly transform a rotation of the nut (4) about a thrust axis (A) into a translation of the screw (3) along the thrust axis (A) , wherein the thrust axis (A) is either parallel to or coincident with an axial direction (A-A) , wherein the nut (4) is configured to receive a torque from a motor or gearmotor, and wherein the screw (3) is configured to bias a brake pad (108) with a thrust force (FA) directed along the axial direction (A-A) in a thrust orientation,- a thrust bearing (5) , wherein the thrust bearing (5) is configured to rotationally support the nut (4) forming a reaction support on which a reaction force (FR) directed along the axial direction (A-A) in a reaction orientation is discharged, wherein the reaction force (FR) is opposite to said thrust force (FA) , and- an anti-rotation device (8) configured to be housed in the thrust device seat (102) avoiding a rotation of the anti-rotation device (8) in the thrust device seat (102) , wherein the anti-rotation device (8) is configured to translationally guide the screw (3) along the axial direction (A-A) avoiding a rotation of the screw (3) about said axial direction (A-A) , characterized in that the anti-rotation device (8) is arranged downstream of said thrust bearing (5) forming a support for said thrust bearing (5) on one side axially opposite to the nut (4) so as to receive said axial reaction force (FR) from the nut (4) to transfer it to a detectiondevice or force sensor (14) configured to detect said axial thrust force ( FA) .

2. A thrust device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the thrust device (1) comprises said detection device (14) , wherein the anti-rotation device (8) is interposed along the axial direction (A- A) between the detection device (14) and the thrust bearing (5) , so that the detection device (14) forms an axial support for the antirotation device (8) avoiding the anti-rotation device (8) from axially abutting against a seat bottom wall (103) of the thrust device seat (102) .

3. A thrust device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the anti-rotation device (8) , the detection device (14) , and the screw- nut assembly (2) are coaxial, and / or wherein the anti-rotation device (8) , the detection device (14) , and the screw (3) are coaxial and aligned along the thrust axis (A) .

4. A thrust device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-rotation device (8) comprises a thrust bearing portion (9) , such as a thrust bearing plate, and a guide portion (10) , wherein the guide portion (10) projects from the thrust bearing plate (9) along the axial direction (A-A) , wherein the thrust bearing portion (9) is configured to support or form a support either directly or indirectly for the thrust bearing (5) , wherein the screw (3) comprises a guide counter-portion (11) , wherein the guide portion (10) is coupled to the guide counterportion (11) in a sliding manner along the axial direction (A-A) preventing the screw (3) from rotating with respect to the antirotation device (9) during the translation of the screw (3) .

5. A thrust device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide portion (10) is a guide shaft, and the guide counter-portion (11) delimits a guide cavity in which the guide shaft is accommodated in a sliding manner along the axial direction (A-A) and with clearance along a radial direction (R-R) perpendicular to the axial direction (A-A) ,wherein the guide portion (10) and the guide counter-portion (11) are mutually shaped so as to allow the translation of the guide portion (10) with respect to the guide counter-portion (11) and prevent a rotation between the guide portion (10) and the guide counter-portion (11) , and / or wherein the guide portion (10) and the guide counter-portion (11) have and / or delimit a section with a polygonal or non-polygonal geometric shape, avoiding circular sections, and / or wherein the anti-rotation device (8) comprises a connection root (25) which connects the guide portion (10) to the thrust bearing portion (9) , wherein the connection root (25) is tapered, widening radially from the guide portion (10) to the thrust bearing portion (9) , the connection root (25) forms a limit stop of the screw (3) along the axial direction (A-A) .

6. A thrust device (1) according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the guide portion (10) has a polygonal section, for example an irregular octagonal section, comprising four first sides (26) and four second sides (27) , wherein each first side (26) has a first length (LI) , wherein each second side (27) has a second length (L2) , wherein the first length (LI) is greater than the second length (L2) .

7. A thrust device (1) according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the guide portion (10) comprises a central body (28) which extends along the axial direction (A-A) , for example substantially cylindrical, and at least one guide tooth (29) which extends over the entire length of the central body (28) and projects from the central body (28) along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (A-A) , wherein the guide portion (10) has a grooved profile (31) , wherein the guide counter-portion (11) comprises a guide countersurface which delimits at least one guide recess (30) configured to accommodate the at least one guide tooth (29) with radial clearance,wherein the guide counter-portion (11) has a grooved counter-profile (32) .

8. A thrust device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide portion (10) comprises a plurality of said at least one guide tooth (29) , preferably six of said at least one guide tooth (29) , preferably wherein each guide tooth (29) is evenly distributed projecting from said central body (28) ; and / or wherein the guide counter-portion (11) comprises a plurality of said at least one guide recess (30) , preferably six of said at least one guide recess (30) , preferably wherein each guide recess(30) is evenly distributed over said guide counter-surface; and / or wherein said at least one guide recess (30) and said at least one guide tooth (29) are equal in number; and / or wherein the guide portion (10) and / or the grooved profile(31) has a maximum grooved profile diameter (DI) and a minimum grooved profile diameter (D2) , wherein the ratio of the minimum grooved profile diameter (D2) to the maximum grooved profile diameter (DI) is less than or equal to 30%.

9. A thrust device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the grooved profile (31) is involuted, wherein the grooved counter-profile (32) is involuted, preferably forming a pressure angle of between 20 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably of 30 degrees, between the grooved profile (31) and the grooved counter-profile (32) ; or wherein the grooved profile (31) is straight.

10. A thrust device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-rotation device (8) comprises at least one anti-rotation pin (12, 13) configured to be connected with clearance in a respective anti-rotation pin seat (106, 107) made in said thrust device seat (102) , so as to prevent any rotation within said clearance of said anti-rotation device (8) about the axial direction (A-A) .

11. A thrust device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one anti-rotation pin (12, 13) comprises a first anti-rotation pin (12) and a second anti-rotation pin (13) ,arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a pin angle less than or equal to 180 degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees , wherein said at least one anti-rotation pin seat (12, 13) comprises a first anti-rotation pin seat (106) and a second anti-rotation pin seat (107) arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a seat angle less than or equal to 180 degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees, and / or where each an anti-rotation pin (12, 13) projects from a thrust bearing portion (9) of the anti-rotation device (8) along a direction parallel to the axial direction (A-A) , preferably wherein each an anti-rotation pin (12, 13) is connected by interference and / or shape coupling to a respective interference hole (33, 34) , preferably a first interference hole (33) and a second interference hole (34) , obtained in the thrust bearing portion ( 9) .

12. A brake caliper (100) for a disc brake, comprising:- a caliper body (101) , wherein the caliper body (101) delimits a thrust device seat (102) , wherein the caliper body (101) comprises a seat side wall (104) and a seat bottom wall (103) which delimit the thrust device seat (102) in the axial direction (A-A) and in the radial direction (R-R) perpendicular to the axial direction (A-A) , respectively,- a thrust device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thrust device (1) is at least partially housed in the thrust device seat (102) , wherein the thrust device (1) is constrained to the caliper body (101) avoiding a rotation of the anti-rotation device (8) in the thrust device seat (102) , wherein the anti-rotation device (8) is interposed between said seat bottom wall (103) and said thrust bearing (5) .

13. A brake caliper (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising- a detection device or force sensor (14) configured to detect said axial thrust force (FA) ,- wherein the seat bottom wall (103) comprises a radially outer surface (109) and a support shoulder (105) , wherein the supportshoulder (105) is recessed with respect to the radially outer surface (109) ,- wherein the support shoulder (105) axially supports the detection device (14) and is interposed between the seat bottom wall (103) and the anti-rotation device (8) forming an axial support for said antirotation device (8) so as to receive said axial reaction force (FR) from the nut (4) , preferably wherein the anti-rotation device (8) is housed with clearance in the thrust device seat (102) remaining facing axially the seat bottom wall (103) and radially the seat side wall (104) avoiding contacting them.

14. A brake caliper (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the anti-rotation device (8) comprises at least one antirotation pin (12, 13) , wherein the seat bottom wall (103) delimits at least one antirotation pin seat (106, 107) , for example an anti-rotation pin hole, wherein each anti-rotation pin (12, 13) is housed with clearance in a respective anti-rotation pin seat of the at least one antirotation pin seat (12, 13) , so as to prevent any rotation, within said clearance, of said anti-rotation device (8) about the axial direction (A-A) , preferably wherein each anti-rotation pin seat (12, 13) is recessed with respect to said radially outer surface (109) of the seat bottom wall (103) , preferably wherein said at least one anti-rotation pin seat (12, 13) comprises a first anti-rotation pin seat (106) and a second antirotation pin seat (107) arranged about the thrust axis and spaced apart by a seat angle less than or equal to 180 degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 30 degrees.

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