Brake Pad Lock-Connection for Timed Retraction and Anti-Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems often experience parasitic braking and uneven brake pad engagement, leading to reduced fuel efficiency and increased wear, due to the lack of precise control over brake pad timing and retraction, particularly in coordinating front and rear brake operations.
Innovation Solution
A brake caliper with a brake pad timing and retraction controller that utilizes a resilient member with adjustable compression travel to delay brake pad extension and uniformly retract the pad from the rotor, ensuring consistent engagement and disengagement, and includes a locking mechanism to secure the connection against vibrations and torques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a resilient member with limited compression travel is added to control brake pad timing and retraction, then brake pad engagement timing and uniformity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient member (spring element) is introduced as an intermediary component between the brake pad and caliper housing. This spring element mediates the interaction by providing a controlled restoring force that delays brake pad extension and ensures uniform retraction, thereby improving engagement timing without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is pre-compressed during brake pad extension and stores energy. This preliminary compression action allows the spring to subsequently delay the extension timing and provide controlled retraction force, achieving precise timing control through passive elastic deformation rather than active control mechanisms
2Loss of energy
If the resilient member compression travel is limited, then parasitic braking is reduced and fuel efficiency increases, but the controller complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is pre-compressed to a limited extent during brake pad extension, storing elastic energy. This preliminary compression ensures that when the brake is released, the spring can quickly and positively retract the brake pad from the rotor surface, eliminating parasitic braking without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member automatically performs the retraction function through its elastic restoring force. The limited compression travel is self-regulated by the spring's mechanical properties and the geometry of the controller, eliminating the need for external control systems while still achieving complete brake pad disengagement
3Reliability
If a lock-connection is added to secure the controller against vibrations and torques, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lock-connection mechanism is incorporated into the controller design to preemptively counteract the effects of vibrations and torques during braking operations. This locking feature prevents the resilient member or controller components from becoming dislodged or misaligned, ensuring reliable operation without requiring external monitoring or adjustment systems
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 solution enhances vehicle control during braking, reduces parasitic braking, increases fuel efficiency, and extends brake pad life by ensuring consistent brake pad engagement and disengagement, while also damping out-of-plane vibrations and maintaining a self-adjusting mechanism for wear compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a brake pad timing and retraction controller including at least one resilient member with limited compression travel. The brake pad timing and retraction controller biases against extension by applying an adjustable hold-off force against an extension force applied to said brake pad by the reacting member
Implementation Method 2
The frictional engagement between the collar and bolt shaft is sufficient to prevent the collar from sliding on said shaft in response to the spring force of the resilient member when the resilient member is completely compressed
Implementation Method 3
the lock-connection is sufficient and counteractive against the effects of vibration, heat and torques typically imposed upon the connection during a braking action
Data Source
Figure 1A~3B
Figure 2A
Figure 3A
AI summary
A brake pad (12a) useable with a brake pad retraction system, said brake pad (12a) comprising a frictional material affixed to a backing plate (14a), the backing plate (14a) comprising a locking connection (206) operative between said brake pad (12a) and an end portion of a controller shaft (22'), said locking connection (206) comprising an engaging component (208) operative to establish an alignment of the shaft (22') with respect to said brake pad (12a) and a locking component (210) operative to lock the shaft (22') in said alignment, whereby said locking connection (206) is counteractive to vibration, heat and/or torque arising from braking operation.