Vehicle Disc Brake Pad Retainer Elastic Loop Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle disc brake pad retainers are unable to stably return friction pads to the disc rotor when braking is released, due to the instability of the pad returning portions formed by narrow elongated pieces.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle disc brake incorporates pad retainers with elastic loop portions formed into an arc shape and holding portions that extend to securely hold lug pieces, along with guide and holding pieces to stabilize the friction pads, preventing rattling and noise during vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pad returning portion is formed of a narrow elongated piece inclining in the direction opposite to the deep side piece, then the structure is simple, but the friction pad cannot be stably returned from the disc rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The pad returning portion is divided into two functional segments: an elastic loop portion (arc-shaped) for providing returning force, and a holding portion (extending toward the disc rotor) for stably positioning the lug piece. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and stable return capability.
2Reliability
If the holding portion extends from the bent-back end of the elastic loop portion towards the disc rotor, then the lug piece is stably held, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is merged with the elastic loop portion as a continuous integrated structure formed from a single narrow elongated piece. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving stable holding of the lug piece.
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 design ensures stable return of friction pads from the disc rotor, suppresses rattling and clonking noise, and maintains lug pieces within the guide grooves, enhancing braking performance and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic loop portion formed into an arc shape by bending a narrow elongated piece, which extends in a direction opposite to the disc rotor from the retainer portion, and then back towards the disc rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A pad retainer of a vehicle disc brake includes: a pair of retainer portions mounted in pad guide grooves; a connecting piece connecting the pair of retainer portions together; and pad returning portions configured to bias the friction pads to a side opposite to the disc rotor. Each of the pad returning portions includes an elastic loop portion formed into an arc shape by bending a narrow elongated piece, which extends in a direction opposite to the disc rotor from an inner side in a disc radial direction of a deep side piece of the retainer portion, and then back towards the disc rotor; and a holding portion extending from a bent-back end of the elastic loop portion towards the disc rotor and configured to hold a lug piece of the friction pad.