Disc Brake Caliper Snowplow Structure for Snow and Ice Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Snow and ice accumulation in the brake caliper cavity of disc brakes leads to blocked friction pads and hydraulic fluid ducts, causing loss of braking power and potential damage, especially on snow-covered surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A caliper body with a snowplow structure featuring a cusp-shaped guide and protection plate to deflect snow and ice away from the friction pads and hydraulic ducts, including a snowplow structure with a free transverse edge and converging guide edges to systematically capture and divert snow, and snow-guard walls to prevent snow entry at the pad support pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the caliper is mounted in the wheel cavity without protective structures, then the braking system remains simple and accessible, but snow and ice accumulate and block the friction pads and hydraulic ducts causing loss of braking power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking powerVSAvoidcaliper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The snowplow structure is positioned at the inlet side of the caliper to preemptively deflect snow and ice before they can enter and block the friction pads or hydraulic ducts. This preliminary protective action prevents accumulation that would otherwise compromise braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The snowplow structure acts as an intermediary element between the external snow/ice environment and the internal caliper components. It intercepts and redirects the harmful snow and ice flow, protecting the friction pads and hydraulic ducts without requiring complete sealing or complex protective enclosures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If snowplow structures are added to protect against snow and ice, then braking power is maintained, but the caliper structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking powerVSAvoidcaliper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented into specific zones: the snowplow structure at the inlet side for primary deflection, and snow-guard walls at critical locations like pad support pins for secondary protection. This segmented approach provides comprehensive protection while keeping each individual component simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective structures are applied locally only where snow and ice accumulation poses the greatest risk - at the inlet side with the snowplow and at pad support pin locations with snow-guard walls. This localized protection strategy maintains overall system simplicity while addressing critical vulnerability points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If the caliper body has open access for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but snow and ice can enter and block hydraulic fluid ducts causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaliper accessibilityVSAvoidsnow and ice intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The snowplow structure serves as an intermediary barrier that protects the hydraulic fluid ducts and other internal components from snow and ice intrusion while maintaining the open-access design for maintenance. The structure deflects harmful elements without requiring sealed enclosures that would complicate repair access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If friction pads are exposed for effective braking, then braking performance is maintained, but snow accumulation blocks the pads causing loss of braking power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidsnow blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The snowplow structure performs preliminary deflection of snow and ice at the inlet side, preventing accumulation before it reaches the friction pads. This preliminary protective action ensures the pads remain exposed and functional for effective braking while avoiding snow blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The snowplow structure utilizes the natural flow and force of incoming snow and ice to deflect them away from the caliper components. Rather than trying to prevent snow entry through complex sealing, the design harnesses the snow's own momentum to redirect it harmlessly, maintaining pad exposure while preventing blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3842655B1A caliper for a disc brake and disc brake

Publication Date: 2023.03.15 FRENI BREMBO SPA

Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A

AI summary

A caliper (1) for a disc brake (2) comprises two side walls (3) spaced apart from each other, which delimit a disc space (4) to accommodate a portion of a brake disc (5), a connecting structure (9) which extends straddling the disc space (4) and connects the side walls (3) to each other, at least one pad seat (10) formed in each of the side walls (3) to accommodate at least one friction pad (11), thrust means (12) secured to one or both of the side walls (3) to bias the friction pads (11) against the brake disc (5), a snowplow structure (20) firmly connected to the connecting structure (9) and having: - a free transverse edge (21), protruding from the connecting structure (9) towards the outside of the caliper (1) and extending transversely to a plane (22) of the brake disc (5) and facing away from the caliper (1), - two guide edges (24) which extend from two opposite side end portions (25) of the transverse edge (21) converging towards each other so as to form together a cusp-shaped guide.