Rear Brake Caliper Piston Retractor With Push-Rotate Thrust Bolt
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for retracting pistons in disc brake caliper housings require significant manual effort and lack mechanical advantage, especially in rear brake systems with high-helix internal threads, making it difficult to efficiently replace worn brake pads.
Innovation Solution
A disc brake piston retractor tool featuring centering cones for various piston sizes, a spring-loaded distal pusher portion, and a female threaded collar and spreader plate combination, which applies pushing and rotating forces to retract the piston using a male threaded thrust bolt and driver, providing improved mechanical advantage and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a special tool is used to spread brake pads apart and press pistons back in caliper housing, then brake pads can be replaced, but significant manual effort is required and mechanical advantage is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic press mechanism where a piston is pushed inward by hydraulic pressure from brake fluid in the master cylinder. This hydraulic system provides mechanical advantage, allowing the replacement of brake pads with minimal manual effort compared to traditional mechanical pressing tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical pressing tools with a hydraulic actuation system. The master cylinder generates hydraulic pressure that automatically pushes the caliper piston inward, substituting the need for manual mechanical force application and providing superior mechanical advantage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adaptors are provided for various detent patterns, then different piston configurations can be engaged, but the operator must search and choose from variety of adaptors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal adaptor design that can engage with multiple detent patterns on different piston configurations. This single multi-functional adaptor eliminates the need for operators to search through and select from multiple specialized adaptors, while still providing compatibility with various piston types.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor is designed with segmented or modular features that allow it to adapt to different detent patterns. By incorporating adjustable or interchangeable engagement elements within the adaptor, it can accommodate various piston configurations without requiring multiple separate adaptor pieces.
3Reliability
If rear brake piston has high-helix internal thread for parking brake, then parking brake function is achieved, but piston retraction requires both pushing inward and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical twisting and pushing operations with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder provides the pushing force, while the universal adaptor engages the detents to provide the twisting motion, combining both required actions automatically without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal adaptor serves as an intermediary between the hydraulic push force and the piston's threaded mechanism. It converts the linear hydraulic pressure into both the pushing force needed to retract the piston and the rotational torque needed to overcome the high-helix threads, eliminating the need for direct manual twisting.
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 tool effectively retracts pistons with improved mechanical advantage and ease of use, reducing manual effort and accommodating different caliper housing designs, facilitating efficient brake pad replacement.
Implementation Method 1
A spring loaded distal pusher portion of said tool receives the centering cone
Implementation Method 2
The male threaded thrust bolt carries the spring loaded distal pusher portion. In this manner, the spreader plate is pressed against a face of the caliper assembly, and rotation of the male threaded thrust bolt by a driver, such as a ratchet wrench or impact gun, applies pushing and rotating forces
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for retracting pistons into cylinder bores is disclosed. A plurality of centering cones are provided to engage with a multitude of piston sizes and configurations. A user selects an appropriately sized centering cone and engages the selected centering cone with a spring loaded distal pusher portion of said tool. A female threaded collar and spreader plate combination receives a male threaded thrust bolt. The male threaded thrust bolt carries the spring loaded distal pusher portion. The spreader plate is pressed against a face of the caliper assembly, and rotation of the male threaded thrust bolt by a driver, such as a ratchet wrench or impact gun, applies inward and rotating forces from the spring loaded distal pusher portion of said tool to the piston, while separating the spring loaded distal pusher portion of said tool from the spreader plate.