Opposed-Piston Brake Caliper Side Bridge Structure for Rigidity and Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
The opposed piston type disc brake caliper faces challenges in achieving both rigidity and weight reduction, as insufficient rigidity in the side bridges can lead to elastic deformation and inadequate braking force, while weight reduction is necessary for improved fuel efficiency and travel performance.
Innovation Solution
The caliper design includes a concave portion in the side bridges with first and second beam portions that sandwich the concave portion, increasing cross-sectional area and rigidity, and features such as axially protruding and circumferentially protruding portions to enhance structural integrity and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side bridges are made with sufficient rigidity to prevent elastic deformation, then braking force stability is improved, but the weight of the caliper increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side bridge is divided into multiple segments including a web portion, first beam portion, second beam portion, and protruding portions. This segmentation allows each part to contribute differently to structural integrity while minimizing material usage, achieving rigidity without excessive weight
Solution Approach 2:
The side bridge employs a composite structural design combining different geometric configurations (web portion, beam portions, protruding portions) that work together to provide enhanced rigidity. This composite approach allows optimization of material distribution to achieve maximum strength-to-weight ratio
2Strength
If the side bridges are designed with complex structures to enhance rigidity, then braking force stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side bridge is divided into multiple segments including a web portion, first beam portion, second beam portion, and protruding portions. This segmentation allows each part to contribute differently to structural integrity while minimizing material usage, achieving rigidity without excessive weight
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements (web portion, beam portions, protruding portions) are merged into a single integrated side bridge structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously: providing rigidity, reducing weight, and maintaining structural integrity under braking loads
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
This design achieves both increased rigidity and weight reduction, ensuring a stable braking force and improved vehicle performance by effectively managing tensile and compressive forces during braking.
Implementation Method 1
when rigidity of the side bridges connecting the inner body and the outer body in the axial direction is not sufficient, the inner body and the outer body may be elastically deformed in directions away from each other
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a caliper for an opposed piston type disc brake including: an inner body including a pair of attachment boss portions; an outer body; and a pair of side bridges connecting, in the axial direction, end portions of the inner body on both outer sides in the circumferential direction and end portions of the outer body on both outer sides in the circumferential direction. At least one of the pair of side bridges includes a concave portion extending in the axial direction and opening to an outer surface of the side bridge, and a first beam portion and a second beam portion disposed so as to sandwich the concave portion from both sides, end portions of the respective first beam portion and the second beam portion on the inner side in the axial direction being connected to the attachment boss portions.