Integrated Bicycle Brake Pad Assembly for Drag and Rattle Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake pad assemblies for bicycles lack a mechanism to efficiently spread apart after braking, leading to potential brake drag and rattle, and the assembly process is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A brake pad assembly comprising a pair of brake pads and a spreader spring fixed together as a one-piece unit, where the spreader spring biases the pads apart post-braking, and is integrated during assembly to simplify installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brake pads are held tightly against the piston to prevent brake drag and rattle, then braking stability is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake pad, spring clip, and retaining features into a single integrated brake pad assembly. The retaining features are formed as integral parts of the brake pad body, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing overall complexity while maintaining the function of holding the brake pad against the piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip and retaining features are pre-configured as integral parts of the brake pad assembly during manufacturing. This preliminary integration ensures that when the brake pad is installed, the spring clip is already positioned to maintain proper contact between the brake pad and piston, eliminating the need for separate adjustment or assembly steps.
2Device complexity
If a simple spring clip is used to hold the brake pad, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation during installation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is merged with the brake pad as an integral component rather than a separate part. This integration simplifies the overall structure while improving installation ease, as the entire assembly with the pre-positioned spring clip can be installed as a single unit without requiring separate handling or positioning of the spring clip.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip is designed to automatically position and secure the brake pad against the piston through its inherent elastic properties. The retaining features on the brake pad work with the spring clip to create a self-securing mechanism that requires minimal manual intervention during installation, improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If brake pads are securely retained to prevent brake rattle, then braking reliability is improved, but the spreader spring mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader spring function is merged with the retaining features of the brake pad assembly. The spring clip serves dual purposes: both retaining the brake pad against the piston and acting as a spreader to prevent brake rattle. This integration eliminates the need for a separate spreader spring mechanism, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides retention, spreading, and anti-rattle functions. By making the spring clip universal in its functionality, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining braking reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integrated spreader spring mechanism ensures efficient post-braking separation of brake pads, reducing brake drag and rattle, while facilitating easy and secure assembly into brake calipers.
Implementation Method 1
A spreader spring which functions to spread the friction pads apart from the rotor after the braking force is released, the spreader spring has a first leaf and a second leaf. The spreader spring is biased towards a spread position in which the first brake pad and second brake pad are spaced apart from each other
Implementation Method 2
The portion of the first leaf can be fixed in the groove by friction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A brake pad assembly for a bicycle includes a first brake pad, a second brake pad, and a spreader spring. The first brake pad has a first backing plate with a first rotor facing surface, and a first friction pad secured to the rotor facing surface. The second brake pad has a second backing plate with a second rotor facing surface, and a second friction pad secured to the second rotor facing surface and facing the first friction pad. The spreader spring has a first leaf that is fixed to the first brake pad and a second leaf that is fixed to the second brake pad. At least a portion of the first leaf is positioned between the first rotor facing surface and the first friction pad, and at least a portion of the second leaf is positioned between the second rotor facing surface and the second friction pad.