Bicycle Brake Pad Assembly With Barrier Layer for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle disc brake systems experience noise generation due to metal-to-metal contact between the spreader spring and the pin during sliding, which affects braking performance.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a barrier layer lining the side walls of the apertures in the spreader spring and backing plates, composed of a durable material with gaps, prevents direct metal-to-metal contact and mitigates noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spreader spring is used to hold brake pads against the rotor, then braking performance is improved, but noise is generated due to metal-to-metal contact between the spreader spring and pin during sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performanceVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary material between the spreader spring aperture side walls and the pin. This barrier layer prevents direct metal-to-metal contact during sliding operations, thereby eliminating the noise generation mechanism while preserving the mechanical function of the spreader spring in holding brake pads against the rotor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier layer is applied as a thin film coating on the inner surfaces of the aperture side walls. This thin film structure provides noise reduction by preventing direct contact between metal surfaces, while maintaining the structural integrity and sliding functionality of the spreader spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a barrier layer is added to prevent metal-to-metal contact, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is applied as a thin film coating on the inner surfaces of the aperture side walls. This thin film structure provides noise reduction by preventing direct contact between metal surfaces, while maintaining the structural integrity and sliding functionality of the spreader spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the aperture side walls are modified by applying a barrier layer coating. This changes the friction and contact characteristics between the spreader spring and pin, reducing noise generation without fundamentally altering the mechanical design or adding complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4141283B1Brake pad assembly for a bicycle & method for assembling a brake pad assembly for a bicycle
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 NUCAP IND
  • EP4141283B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4141283B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4141283B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A brake pad assembly for a bicycle includes a first brake pad (102a), a second brake pad (102b), and a spreader spring (110). The first brake pad has a first backing plate (104a) with a first rotor facing surface (106a), and a first friction pad (108a) secured to the rotor facing surface. The second brake pad (104b) has a second backing plate (104b) with a second rotor facing surface (106b), and a second friction pad (108b) secured to the second rotor facing surface and facing the first friction pad. The spreader spring (110) has a first leaf (112a) that is fixed to the first brake pad (102a) and a second leaf (112b) that is fixed to the second brake pad (102b). At least a portion of the first leaf (112a) is positioned between the first rotor facing surface (106a) and the first friction pad (102a), and at least a portion of the second leaf (112b) is positioned between the second rotor facing surface (106b) and the second friction pad (102b).