Brake Pad Retainer Bracket for Return Position and Drag Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing disc brake systems, the outer brake pad is free-floating and may not return to its original position after brake actuation, leading to noise, heat generation, and premature wear due to parasitic drag.
Innovation Solution
A brake pad retainer system is introduced, featuring a retainer bracket and a retaining spring arranged parallel and radially outer to the brake disc axis, which securely holds the outboard brake pad in position, preventing movement and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outer brake pad is made free-floating to allow movement during brake application, then the brake pad can contact the brake disc effectively, but the brake pad may not return to its original position after actuation causing noise, heat generation, and premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer brake pad and the caliper bridge. The bracket includes a retaining spring that mediates the interaction, allowing the brake pad to move during braking while ensuring it returns to the correct position afterward, thus resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and position reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system is segmented into distinct functional components: the retainer bracket for structural support, the retaining spring for providing restoring force, and the locating protrusion for precise positioning. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of the problem, improving overall reliability while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If sheet metal springs are used to secure and spread the brake pads, then the brake pads can be held in position, but the springs are prone to wear and may cause rattling and parasitic drag
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer bracket is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid bracket body for structural support with an elastic retaining spring for positioning. This composite approach provides stable, wear-resistant positioning without the rattling and parasitic drag associated with traditional sheet metal springs alone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the brake pad spreader and the position securing mechanism into a single integrated retainer bracket assembly. The bracket simultaneously performs both functions through its geometric design and the incorporated retaining spring, eliminating the separate components that caused wear and rattling
3Reliability
If the brake pad is held firmly in position to prevent movement and vibration, then noise and heat generation are eliminated, but the brake pad may not be able to return to its original position after actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system transitions from a static holding mechanism to a dynamic one using the retaining spring. The spring provides a restoring force that allows the brake pad to move freely during braking actuation while automatically returning it to the original position afterward, thus maintaining both position stability and movement freedom
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 retainer system ensures the outer brake pad returns to its original position after actuation, eliminating noise and heat generation, and preventing parasitic drag by maintaining sufficient clearance between the brake pad and disc.
Implementation Method 1
a retaining spring arranged along a radially outer portion of the back plate and extending between the retainer bracket and the back plate
Implementation Method 2
The angled surface of the retainer bracket will act on the angled surface on the retaining spring, which in turn acts on the angled surface on the radially outer portion of the back plate
Implementation Method 3
The brake pads comprise a brake lining arranged for frictional contact with the brake disc
Data Source
AI summary
A brake pad retainer system in a vehicle disc brake comprises a calliper bridge and a calliper housing supporting brake pads on either side of a rotary brake disc, wherein the system is arranged to hold one brake pad in position relative to the calliper bridge. The retainer system comprises a retainer bracket arranged parallel to the brake disc axis and extending across a back plate of the brake pad, and a retaining spring arranged along a radially outer portion of the back plate and extending between the retainer bracket and the back plate. The retainer bracket has an angled surface arranged in contact with a corresponding first angled surface on the retaining spring. The retaining spring has a second angled surface arranged in contact with a corresponding angled surface on the radially outer portion of the back plate. The disclosure also relates to a brake pad.