Axle bracket

Abstract

Provided is an axle bracket that achieves an improvement in manufacturability and cooling performance and a reduction in weight, the axle bracket integrally comprising: a damper support part 12 that supports a damper 21; an axle support part 13 that has a support hole 13b for supporting an axle of a wheel[sy1.1]; and an arm 14 that extends from the axle support part 13 in the radial direction of the support hole 13b. A brake attachment part 15 for attaching a caliper body 33 of a disk brake 31 is provided at a tip part in the extension direction of the arm 14. In the brake attachment part 15, an attachment seat surface 15a to which the caliper body 33 is to be attached is formed in a shape in which the length in the vehicle body vertical direction (the width in the rotation direction of the wheel) is longer than the length in the vehicle body width direction (the width in the axle direction of the wheel).

Description

Axle bracket

[0001] The present invention relates to an axle bracket that connects a damper of a front fork, an axle of a wheel, and a caliper body of a disc brake.

[0002] Conventionally, an axle bracket has been attached to the lower end of a front fork that steers the front wheel of a motorcycle. As this axle bracket, there has been one having a damper support portion that supports a damper of a front fork, an axle support portion having a support hole that supports an axle of a wheel, and a pair of arms that support a caliper body of a disc brake. At the tip of each of the pair of arms, a caliper body attachment portion for attaching the caliper body is formed, and the caliper body is supported in a double-supported manner by the pair of arms (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-108557

[0004] However, in the axle bracket of Patent Document 1 described above, since it has a pair of arms and attachment portions for attaching the caliper body are formed at the tip of each arm, the difficulty during casting and cutting is high, and there is a limit to weight reduction. In addition, when trying to cool the caliper body by applying the traveling wind during traveling, the arm arranged above the vehicle body may interfere with the traveling wind.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an axle bracket that improves manufacturability and cooling performance and reduces weight.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the axle bracket of the present invention integrally includes a damper support portion that supports a damper, an axle support portion having a support hole that supports an axle of a wheel, and an arm that extends in the radial direction of the support hole from either the damper support portion or the axle support portion, and a brake attachment portion for attaching a caliper body of a disc brake is provided at the tip of the arm in the extending direction.

[0007] According to the axle bracket of the present invention, a brake mounting portion is formed at the tip of the extending arm, and the caliper body is cantilever-supported at the brake mounting portion, thereby improving the manufacturability and cooling performance of the axle bracket, as well as reducing its weight.

[0008] This is a front view of an axle bracket showing a first embodiment of the present invention. This is a plan view of the same. This is a right side view of the same. This is a left side view of the same. This is a perspective view of the same. This is a front view of a disc brake showing a first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view of the same. This is a plan view of the same. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 8. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in Figure 6. This is a front view of the axle bracket with the disc brake attached. This is a rear view of the axle bracket with the disc brake attached. This is an exploded perspective view of the axle bracket, caliper body and heat dissipation member. This is a plan view of an axle bracket showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figures 1 to 13 show a first embodiment of the axle bracket of the present invention. The axle bracket 11 is attached to the front fork of a motorcycle and connects to the caliper body 33 of the disc brake.

[0010] Figures 11 and 12 show the axle bracket 11, to which the caliper body 33 (described later) is attached, assembled to the vehicle body (front fork damper 21). In the figures, arrow Fr represents the front of the vehicle body (direction of travel), arrow Rr represents the rear of the vehicle body (opposite direction to the direction of travel), arrow Up represents the upper part of the vehicle body, and arrow Dn represents the lower part of the vehicle body. Furthermore, in Figure 11, the front of the page represents the outside of the vehicle body, and the back of the page represents the inside of the vehicle body. Similarly, in Figure 12, the front of the page represents the inside of the vehicle body, and the back of the page represents the outside of the vehicle body. Arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the wheel and the disc rotor 32 that rotates integrally with the wheel when the vehicle is moving forward. The disc exit side and disc entry side described below refer to the state when the vehicle is moving forward. CL1 indicates the axial direction of the wheel axle. Therefore, the axial direction CL1 is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0011] The axial direction CL1 coincides with the axial direction of the support hole 13b of the axle bracket 11, which will be described later. Also, the front and rear of the vehicle body (generally the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body) are included in one of the radial directions of the support hole 13b. Furthermore, the upper and lower parts of the vehicle body (generally the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body) are included in one of the approximate rotation directions of the wheel.

[0012] The axle bracket 11 integrally comprises a damper support portion 12 that supports the damper 21 of the front fork, an axle support portion 13 provided below the damper support portion 12, and an arm 14 that extends from the axle support portion 13 toward the rear of the vehicle. A brake mounting portion 15 is formed at the tip of the arm 14 in the direction of extension, to which the caliper body 33 of the disc brake 31, which will be described later, is attached.

[0013] The damper support portion 12 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, and the lower end of the damper 21 is fitted and fixed to it. The axle support portion 13 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a connecting portion 13a provided below the damper support portion 12, and a support hole 13b provided below the connecting portion 13a to support the axle of the wheel. In addition, a ventilation portion 13c is formed in the connecting portion 13a that penetrates in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0014] The arm 14 extends from the axle support portion 13 toward the rear of the vehicle body, which is one radial direction of the support hole 13b. The arm 14 includes a first side wall portion 14a (one side wall portion of the present invention) and a second side wall portion 14b (the other side wall portion of the present invention) provided at both ends in the width direction of the vehicle body, and a bottom wall 14c connecting the first side wall portion 14a and the second side wall portion 14b on the lower side of the vehicle body. Thus, a recess 14d is formed in the arm 14 by the first side wall portion 14a, the second side wall portion 14b and the bottom wall 14c.

[0015] The first side wall portion 14a is positioned on the inside of the vehicle body, and its height from the bottom wall 14c is higher than that of the second side wall portion 14b. The first side wall portion 14a also has a plurality of side holes 14e that penetrate in the width direction of the vehicle body. The plurality of side holes 14e are each formed as elongated holes that are long in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. In addition, a reinforced portion 14f is formed on the bottom wall 14c side of the first side wall portion 14a that protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle body.

[0016] The second side wall portion 14b is located on the outside of the vehicle body and is formed to be lower in height from the bottom wall 14c than the first side wall portion 14a. Furthermore, while the first side wall portion 14a is formed in a substantially planar shape that extends straight from the base end connected to the axle support portion 13, the second side wall portion 14b has a bent portion 14g that gradually approaches the direction of the first side wall portion 14a from the base end connected to the axle support portion 13, and a tip portion 14h that extends parallel to the first side wall portion 14a from the tip of the bent portion 14g (Figure 2).

[0017] The bottom wall 14c is formed such that, according to the shapes of the first side wall portion 14a and the second side wall portion 14b, the base end connected to the axle support portion 13 is roughly triangular, and the tip end is roughly rectangular.

[0018] The brake mounting portion 15 is formed at the leading ends of the first side wall portion 14a and the second side wall portion 14b in the extending direction, perpendicular to the first side wall portion 14a and the second side wall portion 14b, and is positioned offset toward the inside of the vehicle body (one side in the axial direction) with respect to the central portion B1 in the axial direction CL1 of the support hole 13b. In Figure 3, the right side of the paper is the inside of the vehicle body and the left side is the outside of the vehicle body, and it can be seen that the brake mounting portion 15 is offset toward the inside of the vehicle body with respect to the central portion B1.

[0019] The brake mounting portion 15 has a mounting surface 15a for attaching the caliper body 33 that is formed in a roughly rectangular shape, where the length L2 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body (direction of wheel rotation) is longer than the length L1 in the width direction of the vehicle body (axis direction of the axle) (Figure 3). In addition, fastening holes 15b for attaching the caliper body are formed in the mounting surface 15a, and these fastening holes 15b are formed on the lower end (opposite the damper support side) of the mounting surface 15a, rather than the central part in the vertical direction of the vehicle body (center in the direction of wheel rotation).

[0020] The disc brake 31 attached to the axle bracket 11 comprises a disc rotor 32 that rotates integrally with the wheel, a caliper body 33 attached to the axle bracket 11 on one side of the disc rotor 32, and friction pads 34, 34 positioned opposite each other between a pair of working portions 33a, 33b of the caliper body 33, with the disc rotor 32 in between.

[0021] The caliper body 33 is formed as a monocoque structure with four opposing pistons, connecting a pair of working parts 33a and 33b by a bridge part 33c that straddles the outer circumference of the disc rotor 32. The working parts 33a and 33b have opposing cylinder holes 33d on the disc entry side and cylinder holes 33e on the disc exit side, respectively, and a piston 35 is movably housed in each cylinder hole 33d and 33e. Furthermore, a hydraulic chamber 36 is defined between each cylinder hole 33d and 33e and the piston 35, and adjacent hydraulic chambers 36, 36 are connected by a communication hole 36a.

[0022] A friction pad 34 is positioned between each piston 35 and the disc rotor 32. The friction pad 34 consists of a lining 34a that slides against the side surface of the disc rotor 32 and a metal backing plate 34b to which the lining 34a is attached.

[0023] On the disc entry side of one of the working parts 33a located on the outside of the vehicle, a mounting part 33f for attachment to the axle bracket 11 is provided, and a through hole 33g in the radial direction of the disc is formed in the mounting part 33f for inserting a mounting bolt (not shown). Furthermore, on the disc exit side of the working part 33a, a heat dissipation member mounting part 33h is formed for attaching a heat dissipation member 37, which will be described later. The caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11 by fastening the mounting bolt, which is inserted through the through hole 33g, to the fastening hole 15b of the axle bracket 11.

[0024] The mounting portion 33f has an axle bracket mounting surface 33i that contacts the mounting seat surface 15a. The axle bracket mounting surface 33i extends toward the disc exit side and extends toward the disc exit side to a position on an extension line EL2 that extends in the radial direction of the disc and passes through the central axis CL2 of the cylinder hole 33d on the disc entry side that is closest to the axle bracket mounting surface 33i. It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction of the vehicle body relative to the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0025] Furthermore, the disc radial direction at a certain point in the caliper body 33 includes not only the direction strictly aligned with the radius of the disc rotor, but also the direction connecting the center of the disc rotor 32 and the center P of the caliper body 33, as shown in Figure 6. For example, at point P1 on the disc rotation side of the caliper body 33, the direction of arrow P2 is included as the disc radial direction.

[0026] One of the working portions 33a is adjacent to the outer side in the disc axial direction of the axle bracket mounting surface 33i and has a first side surface 33j that extends radially inward from the axle bracket mounting surface 33i. When the caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11, the inner side surface 33k in the disc axial direction of the first side surface 33j abuts against the second side wall portion 14b of the axle bracket 11.

[0027] Furthermore, one of the working portions 33a is adjacent to the disc entry side of the axle bracket mounting surface 33i and has a second side surface 33l that is continuous with the first side surface 33j and extends radially inward from the axle bracket mounting surface 33i. The second side surface 33l is such that when the caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11, the disc entry side surface 33m abuts against the bottom wall 14c of the axle bracket 11. In addition, one of the working portions 33a has a projection 33n that protrudes from the second side surface 33l in a direction parallel to the first side surface 33j, and when the caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11, the projection 33n abuts against the reinforced portion 14f of the axle bracket 11.

[0028] Furthermore, multiple protrusions 33p extending in the radial direction of the disc are formed on the outer surfaces of the working portions 33a and 33b in the disc axial direction. In addition, a protrusion 33q is formed on the outer surface of the first side surface 33j in the disc axial direction, and is continuous with the protrusions 33p formed on the working portion 33a. Moreover, the protrusions 33p formed on the reaction portion 33b and the side holes 14e formed in the axle bracket 11 are formed so that they align in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle body when the caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11.

[0029] The heat dissipation member 37 is attached to the heat dissipation member mounting surface 33r formed on the heat dissipation member mounting portion 33h by bolts inserted through the heat dissipation member mounting portion 33h, and is positioned on the disc rotor side of the first side surface 33j. The heat dissipation member 37 comprises a mounting surface 37a that abuts against the heat dissipation member mounting surface 33r and a plurality of fins 37b, and extends toward the disc entry side to a position on an extension line EL3 that extends in the disc radial direction through the central axis CL3 of the cylinder hole 33e on the disc exit side. In addition, each fin 37b is formed in alignment with a protrusion 33p provided on the working portion 33a.

[0030] The disc brake 31 formed in this manner is attached to the axle bracket 11 by bringing the axle bracket mounting surface 33i and the mounting seat surface 15a into contact, and fastening the mounting bolt inserted through the insertion hole 33g to the fastening hole 15b of the axle bracket 11. In addition, the heat dissipation member 37 of the caliper body 33 attached to the axle bracket 11 is positioned on the extension of the ventilation direction E of the ventilation section 13c in the direction of vehicle travel.

[0031] As described above, the axle bracket 11 of this embodiment can be simplified in shape by cantilevering the caliper body 33 on a single arm 14, thereby improving castability and machinability, and thus improving manufacturability. Furthermore, since one less arm is needed to support the caliper body 33 compared to conventional designs, and one mounting bolt for attaching the caliper body 33 can be eliminated, the axle bracket 11 can be made lighter. In addition, since the arm 14 has a recess 14d, the axle bracket 11 can be made even lighter.

[0032] Furthermore, by eliminating the conventional arm located on the upper side of the vehicle body and forming a ventilation section 13c in the connecting portion 13a of the axle bracket 11, the caliper body 33 attached to the axle bracket 11 can be cooled effectively. Also, since the heat dissipation member 37 is positioned on the extension of the ventilation direction E of the ventilation section 13c in both directions of travel, the heat dissipation member 37 can be cooled effectively. In addition, by providing a plurality of side holes 14e in the first side wall portion 14a, even if the braking heat generated by the disc brake 31 is transmitted to the axle bracket 11, the axle bracket 11 can be cooled effectively.

[0033] Furthermore, the axle bracket 11 has a mounting surface 15a for attaching the caliper body 33 that is formed in a substantially rectangular shape where the length L2 in the vehicle body vertical direction is longer than the length L1 in the vehicle body width direction. On the other hand, the axle bracket mounting surface 33i formed on the caliper body 33 also extends toward the disc rotation side and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape where the length in the vehicle body vertical direction is longer than the length in the vehicle body width direction. As a result, the contact area between the mounting surface 15a and the axle bracket mounting surface 33i is increased, ensuring the mounting strength of the caliper body 33, and efficiently transferring the braking heat generated by the disc brake 31 to the axle bracket 11.

[0034] Furthermore, since the fastening holes 15b of the mounting surface 15a are formed closer to the bottom wall 14c end than to the vertical center of the mounting surface 15a of the vehicle body, increasing the contact area between the mounting surface 15a and the axle bracket mounting surface 33i results in an increase in the area of ​​the mounting surface 15a and the axle bracket mounting surface 33i toward the center of the caliper body 33, thus preventing the caliper body 33 from becoming larger.

[0035] Furthermore, by making the height of the first side wall portion 14a, which is located on the inside of the vehicle, higher than the height of the second side wall portion 14b, which is located on the outside of the vehicle, the rigidity on the inside of the vehicle is increased, thereby ensuring strength while reducing weight with the recess 14d. In addition, by positioning the brake mounting portion 15 offset from the central portion B1 of the support hole 13b towards the vehicle body side where the rigidity of the arm 14 is higher, the mounting strength of the caliper body 33 can be ensured.

[0036] Furthermore, when attaching the caliper body 33 to the axle bracket 11, the disc axial inner surface 33k of the first side surface 33j abuts against the second side wall 14b of the axle bracket 11, the disc rotation surface 33m of the second side surface 33l abuts against the bottom wall 14c of the axle bracket 11, and the projection 33n abuts against the reinforced portion 14f of the axle bracket 11. This allows for positioning and preventing rotation of the caliper body 33, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0037] Furthermore, the side holes 14e formed in the axle bracket 11 and the protrusions 33p formed in the reaction portion 33b of the caliper body 33 are positioned to align in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle body when the caliper body 33 is attached to the axle bracket 11, thereby improving the design aesthetics.

[0038] Figure 14 shows an axle bracket 41 of a second embodiment of the present invention. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the axle bracket 41 has a bottom hole 42 formed in the bottom wall 14c of the arm 14, which penetrates the bottom wall 14c. This reduces weight and further improves ventilation, allowing the caliper body 33 and the axle bracket 41 to be cooled effectively.

[0040] Furthermore, the axle bracket of the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and the height of the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion from the bottom wall of the arm may be the same. In addition, the arm does not need to have a recess. Also, the fastening hole may be formed at any position on the mounting surface. Furthermore, the brake mounting portion does not need to be offset inward from the axial center of the support hole, and may be provided in the axial center or offset outward from the vehicle body.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the arm extends from the axle support towards the rear of the vehicle body, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient for the arm to extend in a cantilevered manner from at least one of the axle support and damper support portions, and it is also acceptable for the arm to extend from the damper support towards the rear of the vehicle body. In this case, the caliper body 33 is provided with a mounting portion for the axle bracket 11 on the disc rotation side of the operating portion 33a, and a heat dissipation member 37 is attached to the disc entry side. Also, even if the arm straddles the axle support and damper support portions, it is sufficient for it to extend in a cantilevered manner from only one location.

[0042] Furthermore, the caliper body of the disc brake connected to the axle bracket is not limited to the monocoque structure with four opposing pistons, as shown in the example configuration described above, but can be applied to any type of caliper body.

[0043] 11...Axle bracket, 12...Damper support part, 13...Axle support part, 13a...Connecting part, 13b...Support hole, 13c...Ventilation part, 14...Arm, 14a...First side wall part, 14b...Second side wall part, 14c...Bottom wall, 14d...Recess, 14e...Side hole, 14f...Build-up part, 14g...Bend part, 14h...Tip part, 15...Brake mounting part, 15a...Mounting seat surface, 15b...Fastening hole, 21...Damper, 31...Disc brake, 32...Disc rotor, 33...Caliper body, 33a...Acting part, 33b...Reaction part, 33c...Bridge part, 3 3d, 33e... Cylinder bore, 33f... Mounting part, 33g... Through hole, 33h... Heat dissipation member mounting part, 33i... Axle bracket mounting surface, 33j... First side surface, 33k... Disc axial inner surface, 33l... Second side surface, 33m... Disc rotation side surface, 33n... Projection, 33p, 33q... Protrusions, 33r... Heat dissipation member mounting surface, 34... Friction pad, 34a... Lining, 34b... Backing plate, 35... Piston, 36... Hydraulic chamber, 36a... Communication hole, 37... Heat dissipation member, 37a... Mounting surface, 37b... Fin, 41... Axle bracket, 42... Bottom hole

Claims

1. An axle bracket comprising, integrally, a damper support portion for supporting a damper, an axle support portion having a support hole for supporting the axle of a wheel, and an arm extending radially from either the damper support portion or the axle support portion in the direction of the support hole, wherein a brake mounting portion for attaching the caliper body of a disc brake is provided at the tip of the arm in the direction of extension.

2. The axle bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the brake mounting portion has a mounting surface for attaching the caliper body such that the length in the rotational direction of the wheel is longer than the length in the axial direction of the support hole.

3. The axle bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that the mounting surface has fastening holes for mounting to the caliper body, and the fastening holes are formed on the end side opposite the damper support portion rather than the center portion of the mounting surface in the direction of wheel rotation.

4. The axle bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm has a recess in the axial center of the support hole.

5. The axle bracket according to claim 4, wherein the brake mounting portion is provided offset to one side in the axial direction with respect to the axial center of the support hole, and the arm has a pair of wall portions at both ends that form the recess, and the height of one wall portion from the bottom wall of the recess is higher than the height of the other wall portion from the bottom wall of the recess.

6. The axle bracket according to claim 4, characterized in that the arm has a pair of wall portions at both ends that form the recess, and at least one of the pair of wall portions has a side hole formed in the axial direction.

7. The axle bracket according to claim 4, characterized in that the arm has a bottom hole formed in the bottom wall of the recess that penetrates the bottom wall.

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